Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: That God’s peace and wisdom will touch the hearts of all whose lives are ruled by misunderstanding, anger, or fear.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 19:16-22
A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
From the Twelfth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
If, then, you want your corrections to have the results they ought to have, administer them in a way that can please God and those who receive them. Take care, above all, that it be charity and zeal for the salvation of the souls of your students that lead you to correct them. Show them so much kindness when you give corrections that although you might cause them pain, they will not be angry at you but will show you gratitude for the good you have done for them, great regret for their faults, and a firm intention not to commit them again. From this very moment, be disposed to use the means needed to carry out this resolution.
Prayer
Eternal Father, each day we work hard to build our lives. Sometimes, our possessions and our achievements begin to look to us like the meaning of our lives, even though they are not. In your plan, there are the things that are part of life and there are the things that give us life. Help us to know the difference. Open us to the real riches of truth and freedom, of peace and justice, and of compassion and love. Grant us the strength to do your will. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.