Memorial of Saint Monica

You have searched me and you know me, Lord. O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar.

God knows us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows our virtues and our vices. He knows what we want and what we need. He knows our thoughts and understands them. He knows what we are capable of, both good and evil. He knows what we could become if we put our minds to it. He knows the truth behind our every action. He knows us better than we know ourselves. This is why sometimes He takes things away from us or sends us a trial. It is all done for our benefit... to help us to discover and become the best version of ourselves.

How can we come to better know ourselves? Are we willing to search our motives and change our ways if they do not conform with God’s Will? What is God calling us to become?

O Lord, you know us better than we know ourselves. Show us the way to become more perfectly yours.

Amen.

Twenty-Eighth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

“Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”

We all have priorities in life, but the greatest one of all is to love God and His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths. We can do all the right things and say all the right words, but if we do them for the wrong reasons, then we gain nothing spiritually from them. This is why we need to pay attention to our motives, too. God doesn't give us golden tickets to heaven just for completing a checklist. Loving God and neighbor is more than just going through the motions. True love goes above and beyond what is right to what is compassionate to others and glorifies God. We are not called to be angelic robots, following rules without having our heart guide us. Instead, we are called to be faithful bearers of God's Word and Mercy to all who will listen and accept the graces God has prepared for them through us.

Where are our priorities? Are our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths aligned with God or the world? How can we pay better attention to our motives and to loving God?

O Lord, help us to do your Will out of love and always have you as the center of our attention.

Amen.