Navigating the world and daily life is so very challenging. The pairing of today’s scriptures is equally so: sheep and wolves, serpents and doves, the path of the just being straight while sinners stumble. The wise and the prudent understand these obstacles and traps. Contemplating and sifting through this imagery is hard. Being able to make a good choice or say the right thing in the moment is even more challenging.
Thank goodness you are not alone at any time or circumstance. God is always with you. The word of the Lord is written on your heart. Your ears hear his words every time you go to Mass. Your eyes absorb God’s words through the divinely inspired Bible and writings of the Magisterium of the Church.
I take comfort in the words Matthew recorded of Jesus’ teaching, “When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given in that moment what to say … the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
My problem is being humble in the moment, allowing grace from the Spirit to flow through me. I must become small, literally get out of the way (letting go of a “know it all” attitude, being a bully, judgment, pettiness, anger and hurt) to speak of the truth at the core of the situation.
St. Veronica (of the veil) is celebrated this day. She showed tremendous courage and compassion to step through the crowd. Her action suggests the Holy Spirit led her to offer comfort to Jesus. Lord, may I be inspired to use my voice and words to bring truth and respect into the world. Amen.
Beth Price is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She is a Secular Franciscan (OF.S.) and a practicing spiritual director. Beth shares smiles, prayers, laughter, a listening ear and her heart with all of creation. Reach her, at bprice@diocesan.com.
