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Our Gospel today captures the story of Brigid of Kildare very well. According to legend, she was born a slave, her mother being the slave of her father, a chieftain and poet. She was known to give everything away to those who needed it. He father became frustrated by this, and tried to sell her to another king. While they were negotiating, Brigid was giving away this king’s sword to help a beggar find money for food. The king was so moved, he told her father to give Brigid her freedom. She did not store treasure on earth for moth and rust to consume. She instead gave it all for those in need.
Jesus also tells us we cannot serve two masters, and Brigid did not do so either. While she grew up in a Druid household to a Christian mother, Jesus was the only master she would follow. Legend even has it that the monastery she founded was on an old pagan site.
Through her life and her service to God, Brigid’s story shows that she listened to the words of Jesus. May we hear her tale and do the same.