In the spirit of St. Louis IX, King of France, Confessor
Feria Secunda, XI week after Pentecost Octave, 4 August
Today’s liturgy unites us to the memory of the great king, St. Louis of France, a ruler whose earthly crown was illumined by his steadfast faith and whose governance bore the mark of divine wisdom. The readings placed before us — Wisdom 10:10–14 and Luke 19:12–26 — provide a luminous commentary on the vocation of a Christian ruler, and indeed of every Christian soul, called to stewardship under the true King, Christ our Lord.
Wisdom Guides the Just
The passage from the Book of Wisdom recounts how divine Wisdom guided the righteous man, preserved him from enemies, enriched him with strength, and set a crown upon his head. The sacred writer speaks first of the patriarchs — especially Joseph — but through them shows forth the universal principle that the soul who clings to God is never abandoned.
St. Ambrose, in his De Officiis, reminds us that true kingship is measured not by dominion but by righteousness: “Imperium non est regnum, nisi in iustitia fundatum.” (“There is no true rule unless founded in justice.”) Joseph, sold into slavery, became lord of Egypt not by force but by fidelity; and St. Louis, in the new covenant, governed with the same spirit, seeking justice for his subjects, defending the rights of the Church, and remembering always that he himself was subject to the King of kings.
St. Gregory the Great, in his Moralia in Iob, teaches that wisdom adorns the just man with interior victory before it grants him exterior triumph: “Vicisse semetipsum maior est victoria quam hostem superasse.” (“To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to defeat an enemy.”) Thus Joseph, thus Louis, thus every Christian is crowned first by mastery over self, before being entrusted with the stewardship of others.
The Parable of the Talents and Stewardship
The Gospel (Luke 19:12–26) tells the parable of the nobleman who, departing to receive a kingdom, entrusts his servants with money, commanding them to trade until his return. Some are faithful and increase their trust; one hides his talent and is condemned for sloth.
Here the Fathers see a figure of Christ, Who ascends to the Father, and of the Church, awaiting His return. St. Cyril of Alexandria comments: “The servants are we, to whom the Lord has committed the gifts of grace, to be increased by our labor in His service.” St. Augustine adds in his Sermons on the Gospels: “Idcirco augetur talentum, quia charitas in opere crescit.” (“The talent increases because charity grows in works.”)
For St. Louis, kingship was precisely this stewardship. He understood his royal office not as private possession but as a loan received from Christ, to be rendered fruitful in the defense of the faith, the relief of the poor, and the sanctification of his household and realm. He was not the slothful servant hiding his talent in the ground of worldly ease; he was the faithful steward who multiplied the grace given him.
Application to the Christian Soul
Every soul is entrusted with some portion of grace, some task within the Mystical Body. Like Joseph, like St. Louis, we are called to let divine Wisdom guide our actions, to conquer ourselves by discipline, and to employ all we have received in service of Christ’s kingdom. To bury one’s talent in sloth or fear is to forget that the true King will return and demand an account.
St. Louis himself, in his testament to his son, exhorted: “My dearest son, set your heart to love God with all your strength… guard yourself from sin above all things; never do that which would displease God.” His paternal counsel echoes the very readings of today: to live by wisdom, to serve faithfully, and to await with confidence the coming of the King.
Conclusion
On this feast, the Scriptures remind us that sanctity is not bound by one’s station: Joseph, the slave turned prince; Louis, the king made humble penitent; and we, in our daily state of life, are alike stewards of grace. Let us pray through St. Louis that we may never hide our talent, but labor in charity, until Wisdom crowns us in Christ’s eternal kingdom.
Sancte Ludovice, ora pro nobis!