The Memorial of St Monica

1 Thess. 2:1-8, Mt. 23:23-26. Today's Gospel is the continuation of yesterday’s rebuke made by the Jesus against the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law who had persistently opposed His good works among the people and misled the people with the way they observed and enforced the Law of God. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law often focused on the external appearances and external applications of rules, laws, customs with the intention of being honoured and praised for their piety and devotion. Jesus rebuked them for being superficial and shallow, such that they can no longer know the true intention and purpose of the original and true Law of God.

They practiced the Law and observed the precepts, instead of leading the people to become ever closer to God and to turn away from their sinful ways and love God more. Today, we are called to break away from these wrong paths and to resist the temptations of worldly glory, from the pull and allure of our ego and pride, greed and the desires of our body and the flesh, for worldly pleasure, for acclaim, fame and adulation, for honour and glory. St Monica whose memorial we celebrate resisted the worldly glory and focus her attention on God. She was woman who was married to a pagan and together they had a son, named Augustine. She lived her whole life virtuously and dedicated herself to God. She was known as a charitable and generous person in life and her examples inspires us to do the same in our own lives.

May the Lord help us to turn away from our many temptations and be more faithful to Him from now on! Am enjoying!! Good morning and have happy!!!