Every year when we remember and pray to St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, I think of how fitting a role model she is for parents who are worried about their children of any age…
Over these past weeks, I’ve been, and I’ll bet some of you have been part of conversations with parents of adult children…parents who are worried about things like addiction, mental health, and drifting away from the practice of the faith.
In one conversation, I was moved as the two people listened with great compassion to each other's stories and offered spiritual encouragement, treatment resources, and an invitation to meet their family at next week's Mass.
St. Monica, who lived way back in the 4th century, reminds us that her and our family’s troubles are something that has been going on since the time of Adam and Eve! And I’d bet that every one of us is praying for an immediate or extended family member when it comes to healing…whether with God, themselves, or others.
St. Monica’s faith and love for God and her family are what fueled her holy perseverance. She took to heart St. Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians that we’re all called to be holy… that is, our lives are meant to be directed toward doing the will of God every day, above everything else… living as God leads us.
Amidst the challenges of trying to convince her husband and son that they were called to holiness, St. Monica found her confidence in what Paul says, that through the grace of God we are enriched in every way…with knowledge of Jesus…and that we are not lacking in any spiritual gift…as we await the revelation of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
St. Monica took that to heart, as she spoke and prayed with her husband, Patricius, about Jesus’ call to “Stay awake!”
To stay awake and not be unaware of who we are called to live for and with…in this life and the next. She must have spent many hours in conversation about her worry for her husband and son, and the traps of becoming distracted or too busy with this world to make time for God and to reflect on His will and on whether we are doing our best to follow it.
No doubt our own mothers and fathers most likely have spoken about and prayed for our faithfulness to God as well. It is with gratitude that we do the same for others in our families and circle of friends. Seeking to be like St. Monica, grounded in her faith in Jesus, to be able to offer prayers and encouragement to those we love.
As we continue this Mass, let us give praise to God for His grace at work in the hearts of our own St. Monica’s…and pray for continued guidance and perseverance in seeking to help others, especially in our families, to grow in understanding and practice of what it means to live for God and one day receive God's eternal life.
St. Monica truly believed that with God all things are possible—her faith in God was greater than any discouragement or setback…may we be inspired by her example!
St. Monica…pray for us!