Homily for the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua

Today, in our Gospel passage, Jesus calls His followers to embody a virtue and standard that surpasses those of the scribes and Pharisees. For them, an essential commandment was, "You shall not kill." Jesus' call goes even further, addressing the fundamental feelings and passions that drive people to harm others. It requires us to pay attention to deep-seated attitudes and emotions to prevent evil actions and guide us in renewing our minds and souls.

The more profound and fundamental transformation that Jesus is calling for is not something we can achieve through our efforts. We require the power and grace of the Holy Spirit to bring about this profound change within us. Most of us already know this in the words of the well-known prayer: "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth."

May the Holy Spirit recreate deep within us the love that is God. May the roots of this profound virtue and standard grow within our hearts and minds and help us to become what God truly wants us to be.