“We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
We all hope to follow in the footsteps of the brave holy witnesses that came before us like St. Cecilia, whom we celebrate today, and the mother with seven sons in today’s reading. Through their stories we are reminded to:
- Show concern for the spiritual and material well-being of our loved ones.
- Respect the gift of life and withstand the negative cultural forces that seem to dismiss the inherent importance of human life.
- Trust we will be rewarded for our hard work and diligence. (Laziness is never praised in the gospel!)
Today we may not be faced with physical death like many Christians in some parts of the world but we need to withstand the death of our spiritual values.
As you give thanks to God this week as a family, remind each other and invite each other to pass on the goodness of our faith and family values.
For additional reading: Martyrdom of a Mother and Her Seven Sons.
.jpg "Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C.")