St Bernardino Realino was an Italian Jesuit priest who was born in Carpi, Italy in 1530. He studied medicine and philosophy before earning a degree in civil and canon law. He served as mayor and judge in several northern Italian cities. While in Naples, he had a spiritual conversion after hearing a homily preach by a Jesuit priest. He entered the Jesuit novitiate at the age of 34 and was ordained a Jesuit priest. He was sent to Lecce in southern Italy to establish a Jesuit house and college. Over the next four decades, he had a profound impact on that city. Known as the "Apostle of Lecce” he devoted himself to teaching, ministering to the sick, and ministering to the prisoners. Many came to him for confession. Right before he died, civic leaders asked him to continue to protect the city while in heaven, to which he nodded in agreement. He is the official patron saint of Lecce and Carpi. He was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947.
In our reading from Amos today, we hear how Amos was expelled from the shrine at Bethel for his criticisms of the king of Israel. Amos had predicted that the house of the king would die by the sword. Indeed, the king’s son would be assassinated as he served as king. Amos’ words were seen as treason, but from Amos’ perspective, he was transmitting God’s words to the people. He was just the messenger, not the one who formulated the message.
We need to evaluate what we are doing based on the values of our faith and the message of the Gospel. Sometimes input can be given to us as an attack, in wanting to hurt us and bring us down, but there is constructive criticism as well. We need to listen to God’s prophets and to repent from our sins and our temptations.
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