July 6

“Follow Me.” Two simple words with such strong meaning.

I remember once hearing the statement, “God doesn’t ask for our opinion. He asks for obedience.” It was something that stuck with me for a long time and mostly because obedience isn’t my strong suit. Today in the Gospel, Jesus tells Matthew to “follow” Him; He doesn’t suggest it, He doesn’t ask him what he thinks. Rather, He commands it.

During mass today, the priest was differentiating between those who acknowledge their sins yet refuse to change and those who proclaim their sins and indeed amend their lives.

On this feast day of St. Maria Goretti, let’s call to mind her diligence and desire to indeed follow God, even knowing it would cost her her life. What courage and faith to exhibit at such a young age.

God calls each of us to follow and obey Him, to die to ourselves and trust in His promises.
How is God calling you to obey and follow Him? What is holding you back?

July 5

“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.”

-Blessed Pope Paul VI

The Gospel reading today from Matthew shows what wonders unfold when Jesus heals the paralytic. “When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God.” What was Jesus doing that amazed the crowd so much? Exactly what He was sent to do- heal.

What about the examples we set, the impressions we leave? When we do what we are called to do, what kind of wonders can unfold in our lives and the lives of others?

In a culture that has become so secular, we are called to be counter-cultural: to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves, to be a light in the darkness, to listen and offer compassion and care, to lead by example. To sum it up, we are called to be a living witness and testimony to His love and goodness.

What kind of example are you setting for those around you? Are you leaving them filled with wonder and awe at the magnitude of God? Or do you shy away from living Truth?

Lord, help me to never be afraid to stand up for what’s right and to adhere to Your call.

Amen.

July 4

“Freedom exists for the sake of love.”

-St. John Paul the Great

Today in the first reading from Amos, we are told to “seek good and not evil.” While reading, I started to think about the correlation between freedom and love, and how that relates to our relationship with the Father.

Out of His love, He created us and because He loved us so much, He gave us total freedom: to live and to choose.

Why is it important that we “seek good and not evil”? Because it’s our way of loving Him back. We choose what’s holy and good, those things that are morally right and true, because we love Him. And in turn we realize it’s ultimately in our best interest.

Think of marriage: one man and one woman choose each other to grow in holiness through the sacramental unity of matrimony. If one was not free to choose the other, it wouldn’t be love, it would be control. But out of love for the other, and ultimately, love for God, the two give each other the freedom to choose… to come together as husband and wife.

By having total freedom (ie, free will), God gives us the greatest gift imaginable- the opportunity to “seek good” and choose Him; thus, our freedom is enveloped in love and the two are inseparable.

Lord, guide me on this journey to You; to love You ever more deeply. Show me Your love tonight, God, in the most beautiful way, and grace me with the courage to shine my light in the darkness of this world.

Amen.

July 3

Each of us is a child of God, a unique individual created for the specific purpose of knowing, loving and serving God. We were created out of love and for love.

Imagine you are in a subway train, or in a crowded concert- look around you. The man to your left, the child to your right… each were created by the same God as you. Our goal in this life is simple- to journey towards Heaven. We do this by simply loving Him and loving them.

Often, we forget that our family, our friends, our coworkers, our spouse, and everyone that crosses our path are each our brothers and sisters. We are in this effort together, whether we (or they) recognize it or not.

Kindness, compassion, empathy, gratitude, and time each display love for another. We each long for Home, and our duty is to journey together on that path.

Lord, help me to truly see my brothers and sisters in those individuals who cross my path. Keep me patient and humble when I grow weary, and grace me with mercy to pass on.

Amen.