A portrait of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati in Turin Cathedral
Which of the two did the Father's will?
In today’s gospel we hear of two sons who are both asked to help their father. One says yes, the other no, but they both change their minds.
This reading shows us how important it is not just to pay lip service to our faith. Words are empty if they are not backed up by action.
Just like the sons in the gospel, we can also choose. Will we simply say that we believe, but carry on pleasing ourselves? Or will we listen to God’s call in our lives, and take action as we try to live our faith every day?
Recently canonised Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis were young men who lived their faith through their actions. Saint Pier Giorgio particularly devoted himself to serving people who were poor in his local community, calling charity “the foundation of our religion”. In his powerfully moving words: “Around the poor and the sick, I see a light that we do not have.”
Speaking at their joint canonisation in September, Pope Leo XIV said, “Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives, but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces.”
How will you answer this invitation to do the Father’s will today?
Advent prayer
God of mercy,
empower us to listen to your call
and to live out our faith in both word and deed.
Lead us to serve one another
and recognise the light in others
as we strive to do your will.
Amen.
Act
Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis were nourished in their mission through prayer. Find inspiration today in our prayer resources.
