The Memorial of St Monica

1 Cor. 1:1-9, Mt. 24:42-51. In today's first reading, Paul urges the Corinthians to look out eagerly for the glorious return of Christ as saviour and judge. The Apostle prays that their hearts be strengthened for that day and in his greeting prays that they be “blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus.” Today’s Gospel also states this belief in the words of Jesus: “Stay awake, therefore, you cannot know the day your Lord is coming.” Today, we are called to be alert and prepared, but not to the extent of some early enthusiasts who quit their jobs so as to give themselves full time to prayers and waiting for that day of days. Paul handled that crisis briskly with this tendency by saying that “Anyone who will not work should not eat.” The Corinthians are praised as “richly endowed with every gift of speech and knowledge.” If Paul praises the Corinthians’ cleverness, he sees them lacking in unity and charity, the two most essential virtues.

Jesus praises the good steward who treats others in the household with love and respect, eats and drinks moderately and always stays alert to his duties. This is a faithful and wise servant. However, if our faith does not tolerate idle dreaming, neither are we to become mere busy-bodies, masters of trivia, bureaucrats with no time for contemplation, strategists with no moral principles, manipulators without mercy or concern. We are asked to judge everything in light of the Lord’s return “like a thief in the night.” Today, we are challenged to be practical and diligent; to be men and women of vision and moral perspective; most of all to be prayerful and personally aware of the presence of our Lord Jesus in the daily events of our lives. St Monica whose memorial we celebrate was aware of the presence of God to intervene in her family affair. Monica was persistent in her faith and commitment to pray for the conversion of her son. Her love for her son and her refusal to give up on him that eventually led Augustine to return to the faith.

May the light of Christ rise in our hearts and may each new day increase our trust in God! Amen!! Remain safe and do have a great day!!!