Blessed Tiburcio Arnaiz Muñoz

Blessed Tiburcio Arnaiz Muñoz

SAINT OF THE DAY – July 18, 2023 REFLECTION

Liturgical Calendar Day: Blessed Tiburcio Arnaiz Muñoz – Memorial

Scripture Text: Ex 2: 1-15a, Mt 11: 20-24

Blessed Tiburcio Arnaiz Muñoz (1865-1926), a Spanish Jesuit, was ordained to the priesthood in 1890. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1902.

He has been described by Cardinal Angelo Becciu of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, using the words of Papa Francesco, as “a shepherd with the odor of his sheep.” Becciu has said Muñoz’s life was “marked by good works,” “sincere and profound faith,” and “intense and fruitful apostolic ministry.”

Notable was Muñoz’s service beginning in 1911 to the “corralones,” the poorest neighborhoods of Malaga, and in 1922, together with María Isabel González del Valle Sarandeses (1889-1937), his founding of the Missionaries of the Rural Parishes.

Soon after he passed away, the people of Malaga hailed him the “apostle of the city.”

His life of loving service motivates us to consider our abiding obligation to help the poor among us, according to our calling from the Lord.

Centuries before Jesus came into the world our obligation to help the poor was already of long and pious tradition in Israel.

Through Moses, God said, “The needy will never be lacking in the land. That is why I command you to open your hand to your poor and needy kinsmen in your country.” (Deuteronomy 15:11)

In wisdom literature, “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will themselves call out and not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13)

When Jesus declared that he came to fulfill the teachings of the holy books, he taught, among others, that the poor are the person of God himself.

“‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40)

He condemned Dives because of his indifference to Lazarus, the beggar at his doorstep.

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at this door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.” (Luke 16:19-21)

What are we doing today for the beggars in our midst? We would do well to examine our conscience. Eternity and judgment draw near.