St. Josephine Bakhita was a Sudanese slave who was freed in Italy and became a Canossian Sister. She is known for her charisma and deep faith, which she discovered through her hardships and trials. She is the patron saint of Sudan and of victims of human trafficking.
The Gospel reading today, Mark 7:14-23, speaks of Jesus' teachings on what defiles a person. He says that it is not what goes into a person from the outside, but what comes from within that defiles them. This teaching is a reminder to us that what truly matters is not our external circumstances, but our inner attitudes and dispositions.
In the same vein, St. Josephine Bakhita's life is a testament to the power of inner strength and faith. Despite her horrific experiences as a slave, she never lost hope and never lost her dignity as a child of God. Through her trials, she discovered the love of God and became an instrument of that love to others.
In our own lives, we may also face difficulties and hardships. But like St. Josephine Bakhita, we can choose to focus on our inner selves, on our relationship with God, and on the love that we can offer to others. This will give us the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle and to bring light and hope to those around us.
So on this feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, let us pray for her intercession and for the grace to live our lives with the same faith and courage that she showed. Let us also pray for all those who are suffering, especially those who are victims of human trafficking, that they may be freed from their physical and spiritual bonds and discover the love of God.