SAINT MONICA (MEMORIAL)

. . . do so even more. 

All of us need more—time, energy, money, you name it. And so it can be hard to hear the direction “As you are doing, do more.” Yes, there is a limit to what you can do, but there is no limit to what God can do! He is boundless—limitless, inexhaustible, infinite—and so are the resources he is willing to share with you. St. Paul was sure of this, and so his charge to do more is given confidently and joyfully.

Praying, meditating on Scripture, receiving the sacraments, serving other people, resisting sin and temptation, (and repenting when you fall) all please God. You please God. The things you do, however, have a higher purpose than to earn God’s pleasure. They are meant to create a pure and holy place in you for the Holy Spirit to dwell. You are created to be that dwelling place. And although Paul is speaking to the Thessalonians specifically about purity in marriage, his words can apply to all our relationships and every area of our lives (4:9-12).

In order to be pure, there’s a certain separation that has to occur: separation from immorality, lust, and exploitation of other people. With God’s help, we can detach ourselves from those things and more. You may need to disengage from sexual immorality, but it just as well might be a tendency to be judgmental, resentful, or lazy. Or maybe there is one area you know you could grow in, such as patience or temperance. Ask the Lord for his help in that specific area.

To be what you were born to be—God within you and God revealed in you—it’s important to act intentionally and deliberately. You could write down the one area you’d like to grow in at the top of today’s meditation. Or you could examine your conscience at bedtime each night and repent for times when you didn’t achieve the detachment you need in that one area. Remind yourself often that God is eager to share his infinite, limitless grace with you so that you may indeed do better. And take heart: God will help you. You will do St. Paul’s “even more.”

“Holy Spirit, I want to be your dwelling place. Help me to become more and more pleasing to you.”

Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 10-12
Matthew 25:1-13
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

WORD AMONG US