What tricks do you have to remind yourself to do something? A string around your finger, a kitchen timer, your cell phone, or computer alerts? Is the engine light “on” in your car telling you your car needs attention? Today’s first reading strongly reminds us of who we were called to be. Saint Paul received the grace of apostleship, and we are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Quite simply put, we are encouraged to be holy. Is the light of your soul burning to fulfill the summons from God? Does your soul need attention?

No one ever said being holy would be easy – to be genuinely God-fearing and wholesome is to grow into who God intended us to be. It’s how we are supposed to live so that we can walk through the pressures and tragedies that confront us. We can handle the challenging parts and eventually find ourselves strengthened by what God has sent us. Believe me, having just gone through the death of our older son, the last of my immediate family has unexpectedly brought a new level of spirituality into my life. Still dealing with my loss, I am finding a new focus in my relationship with God. I yearn for his kindness, his gentle touch, at this time in my life.

No matter what God sends me, he provides me the grace necessary to accept his actions. Because of his love, I feel beloved and now am at peace with what has happened. God’s grace led his son to die on the cross for me, for you. It’s not a grace we deserve but an abiding grace we are given to continue through our sorrows. We strive to become holy to be that wonderful human being called to serve God as his apostles who continue the ministry of his son, Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:

Thank you, Father, for sending us your son and giving me the joy of knowing him. He gave his life for all of us and showed us how we may grow into a holiness, a wholesomeness we only imagine. He became man and becomes food for us in the Eucharistic celebration. The flesh of your son is our bread of life. Amen.