It is a matter of serious reflection that the Epistle warns us that the Holy Ghost will enter only into the soul of the humble person. Rather than attempting to do things on our own, without the help of God we should implore Him to “Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of Thy eye; protect me under the shadow of Thy wings.” (Gradual).
The Gospel gives Our Lord’s own views on the subject of humility: “everyone who exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” With all the science of today, and many people in the world rejecting faith, having as Satan told Adam and Eve the attributes to “be like God, knowing good and evil,” which is only an arrogant manner of saying as Satan did “I will not serve” rather than humbling oneself and accepting the teachings of Our Lord.
The Offertory is our plea for God to intervene and keep our enemies at bay who try to prevent us from following the teachings of Our Lord. The Secret reminds us that the gifts being offered first came from God, and that we are but returning them. At Communion time we should remind ourselves of the humility of the publican so ashamed of his weakness and sinfulness. Rather than raise his eyes to Heaven he merely struck his breast and said:“O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” The Postcommunion reminds us that our strength comes from humble reception of the “Holy Sacraments.”
Indulgentia Portiunculae
Today, from Noon today to Midnight tomorrow, the Indulgentia Portiunculae, for benefit of the Poor Souls, may be made by any person entering a church or public oratory, preferably of the Friars Minor or Capuchins preferably, or where the III Order exists, or any church if none of above available. Six Our Fathers, Hail Mary’s, and Gloria Be’s, with prayers for intentions of the Holy Father, are said to gain the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions.
It is Feast Day today of St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori E. C. D., great founder of the Redemptorists, whose mission was to preach in towns and cities to bring the message of Christ to the people similarly to the Apostles.
Although not commemorated in the 1962 rubrics of the Mass, we should pray to St. Alphonsus for ability to openly practice the Faith and bring others to the truth of Jesus Christ. The 2nd August is also a commemoration of St. Stephen Pp. M., who served from 254 to 257, martyred under Valerian, whose famous letters to St. Cyprian regarding Baptism of heretics, still survive.