The Feast of St Pius X | Monday 21 August 2023

Today is Monday the 21st of August, the feast of St Pius X, in the 20th week of Ordinary time.

Paul Zach sings, ‘Just A Closer Walk With Thee’.

I am weak, but thou art strong
Jesus, keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
Through this world of toil and snares
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
When my feeble life is o'er
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 19:16-22

Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

In our scripture today, we meet someone with the desire for eternal life but without the understanding of, or willingness to pay the cost.

This man is a good man; he acknowledges this himself, even before Jesus. There is self-satisfaction here. Have you ever experienced this sense of ‘good-ness’ in yourself?

When we listen to the gospel, we often do not see ourselves as amongst the rich. Wealth is not about money – that can be relative – it is about comfort. Can you relate to this idea?

A quote by Pope Pius X, whose feast we celebrate today: “To heal the breach between the rich and the poor, it is necessary to distinguish between justice and charity.” Jesus asks the young man to heal his own breach, to move from the privilege of benefactor to the discomfort of needing others.

As you hear the passage again, consider what there is that you hold onto as your security. What do you own that could own you?

“Come follow me.” In these last moments of prayer, I ask the Lord to guide my desires and longings, so as to follow him more closely.


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.