maria goretti

Amos 8:4-6, 9-12; Ps 119 One does not live by bread alone; but by ever word that comes from the mouth of God; Mt 9:9-13

Follow me.

these are the words of Christ to Matthew the tax collector.

Jesus catches him in his sin.  Tax collectors notorious for their ways of cheating.  YEt, Matthew could not cheat his way out of the call he received.

Immediately he got up and followed him, the gospel informs us.

Promptness and readiness.  Overcome by the gracious word from the lips of his savior, Matthew is moved to set aside his life and seek a new life.

Think of how many men, women, children have responded in a like many.

How often has the silence of God been broken by that simple invitation: follow me.

Daily these words search for hearts that are willing to follow where they lead.

It was Matthew's response that inspired so many to do the same, "While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with JEsus and his disciples."

BEcause one was willing, many were converted.

The power of one heart responsive to the call of God can never be fully understood or comprehended.

Today, we celebrate the feast of St Maria Goretti.

At the age of 11 years and 9 months and 21 days she was brutally assaulted, stabbed 14 times and eventually died from the wounds her little body received.

With her last few breaths she forgave her attacker wishing to be in heaven with her.

HEr attacker, Alessandro would spend the next 27 years in prison.  After 6 years in prison, he encountered Maria in a dream which led to his conversion where the light of grace would transform him.  She gave him 14 lilies, one for each stab wound.



UPon release he sought out Maria's mother seeking forgiveness.  Her mother responded, "MAria forgave you, Christ has forgiven you, why should I not forgive you."

He spent the remainder of his life in a monastery.

In 1950, at St Maria Goretti's canonization, there sat her mother and her attacker/murder side by side giving thanks to God for such a witness.

The power of one willing to hold firm to virtue, to follow Christ, has brought conversion to so many.

IT is amazing what happens when the heart is open to receive the call.

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