1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; PS 139 You have searched me and you know me, Lord; Mt 23:23-26
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine. Monica was the mother of three children. It could be said that Augustine was her problem child.
He refused to accept the faith. He began to traverse down a dark and windy path of hedonism, pleasure seeking destruction.
Mom was worried, as most mothers would be.
So what did she do?
She prayers, she cried, and she stalked him.
Well perhaps not literally stalked him, but none the less she was persistent it locating him, tracking him down, showing up to events and places he would be and eventually by the grace of God brought him back to the church.
She didn't nag but she didn't do nothing either. She was intimately involved in reminding her son where he came from and what was at stake.
She was tireless in her effort to win her son back to the faith.
Prayer, tears, and persistence.
St. Monica is definitely a force to be dealt with as are most mothers, if you haven't noticed.
We turn our attention to St. Paul and his words this morning, "that is how we speak, not as trying to please men, but rather God who judges our hearts..."
And again we look at the psalm for this day, "you have searched me and you know me." (Ps 139)
Today spends some time in that reality of God searching and knowing each of us. It is comforting to know that we don't have to pretend before God nor do we have to pretend before others. Our true self is known inside and out by the watchful gaze of God.
This thought should bring us security and trust and drive away shame.
Shame is an a result of trying to hide something form another. There is no hiding from God who searched and probes and nows us through and through.
Take some time today to embrace that reality and let the peace of God be your foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment