Friday 14 July 2017
St Camillus de Lellis. Day of Penance.
Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30. Psalm 36(37):3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40. Matthew 10:16-23.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord — Psalm 36(37):3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40.
‘Be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.’
My old mentor, John, once worked as a consultant to a major Chicago bank. With his white hair and cherubic face, he seemed harmless. Managers and staff welcomed the kindly man and told him everything. It was only when John began a forensic dissection of policies and procedures riddled with injustice and manipulation that their error became clear.
In my work, I found that the best way to document abuses in one of the worst boarding houses in the state was to take in afternoon tea on a regular basis. On returning home, I would write up observations and send them to the licensing authority. Eighteen months later, the place was closed, though my cover had been blown earlier than that.
Jesus, you encouraged us to use our wits in confronting evil. Help us to do so.
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