25 August 2020 - homily for Tuesday of the 21st week in ordinary time - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 13-16

       So, for the last couple of weeks, in the weekday masses, we have been hearing from the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel, reading that include a lot of very vivid and imaginative visions and prophesies for a people who were being thrown into exile in Babylon.  We are shifting this week to readings from St Paul in the New Testament, with those readings coming from the 2nd letter to the Thessalonians today and tomorrow. Thessalonica is a large city in Greece.  It held a Christian community founded by Paul.  Paul probably wrote to the Thessalonians from Corinth around 51-52 AD. In this letter, Paul addresses the 2nd coming of Jesus, telling them not to listen to false prophecies or rumors regarding Jesus’ return that would lead them astray.  Paul tells them to hold fast to the true teachings that have been passed down to them. 

      In this context, I want to mention King Louis IX of France, a French Catholic monarch who lived way back in the 13th century.  You would not think a 13th century saint would be at the forefront of controversy in modern America, but recently, some protestors tried to tear down the statue of King Louis IX that stands in front of an art museum in metropolitan St Louis Missouri.  The issue is that King Louis led a crusade against Muslims in North Africa and the Middle East. Yet, that is not the reason he was named a saint just a couple of decades after his death in 1270.  King Louis, by all accounts, was a man of faith who tried to rule as a Christian leader.  He lived a life of honesty and integrity. His reign in France is seen in history as a reign that tried to institute justice and peace after two kings who rule with violence and terror.  He founded hospitals, orphanages, libraries and churches. He often visited the sick and tended to people with leprosy.  He is one of the patron saints of the secular Franciscan order for his life of justice and outreach to the poor.  His outreach to the poor included distributing food on a daily basis and even inviting the poor to join him for meals, just as Jesus did. C. To me, both as a Christian and a human being, King Louis IX is a great example of faith.  We united our prayers with his prayers today.