Today’s ending of Paul’s short letter to the Thessalonians and the liturgical ending of Matthew’s Gospel at this point in the weekday liturgical cycle instruct us on how we are to live our faith in an orderly way. Not just live it, but make sure that our outward life mirrors our inner life: authentic Christian lives, measured by the values of Christ.

I once asked a new dog owner why they placed their puppies, and later, when a full-grown dog was in a kennel in their living room, not having them rule the house. I have asked other dog-loving owners the same question. Without fail, owners tell me it brings their dogs peace, calms them down, and helps them sleep better with less anxiety. They are more “regular,” and they hardly bark. The boundaries help them become better pooches.

How do rules, order, and Christian instruction help us focus on not being hypocrites and being true to ourselves? This is perhaps part of our regular assessment of ourselves, and perhaps of our nightly examination of consciences.

When we focus on these ideas and live these Christian principles, we bring peace to ourselves, peace to our world. How can we not allow the rules or regulations to cause us anxiety and distress? How can we see that the parameters always keep us together?

We, too, have these guardians, these Christian rules around us to guide us in a Christian moral life, to be less stressed and more peaceful.

Prayer

Guide my actions and thoughts, O God, so that I may be faithful to your truths and follow always in your ways. May I walk the path peacefully and see your gentle guidance in all that I do, through Christ our Lord.