+(Intro) This morning we have the memorial of Bl. Maria Gabriella, a nun of our Order who gave her lift for the sake of Christian Unity. To enter into this mystery of Christ’s giving his life for us, let us be mindful of our sins and need of healing.
(After the gospel) As a young lady, Gabriella was “a stubborn and willful child” with “a passion to win” as was heard at Vigils this morning. But as she grew into her Christian faith, this all changed. She experienced the words of our gospel when Jesus told the crowds: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Nourished by Christ’s presence in her life, Gabriella became a holy leaven within her family and then even more so within her religious community. She came to see the pain of separation and conflict among Christians and knew, I’m sure, the differences and sources of conflict within her community. She came to absorb rather than contribute to this suffering as did Christ on the cross. So meaningful did this become, she felt called to give her life for this kind of healing.
Our experience of the Visitation within our community has been clearly, a call into this same kind of healing. Let us be grateful for those who have helped us and especially for our Lord Jesus who is always drawing near to free us from our hunger and thirst.
Acts 8:1b-8; John 6:35-40