Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
Intention: For a deeper awareness of and concern for the plight of homeless and displaced persons throughout the world, that all might work to eradicate their suffering and its causes.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
From the Fourth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Consider Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd of the Gospel, who seeks the lost sheep, puts it on his shoulders, and carries it back to restore it to the fold. Because you are taking his place, consider that you are obliged to do the same thing. Ask him for the grace needed to procure the conversion of hearts.
You must, then, be very devoted to prayer to succeed in your ministry. You must constantly represent the needs of your disciples to Jesus Christ, explaining to him the difficulties that you have experienced in guiding them. Jesus Christ, seeing that you regard him as the one who can do everything in your work, whereas you are an instrument that must be moved only by him, will not fail to grant you what you ask of him.
Prayer
Eternal Father, we are sinners, yet you love us deeply. You see into the secret places inside us and you know us in our weakness and in our goodness. Give us the courage to look at our faults, and the humility to ask for your help to repent and to make better choices. Guide us into new pathways that will draw our hearts home to you. Help us to pray always, both in our words and thoughts to you and in our words and actions with and for one another. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.