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“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mt 6:25) Jesus’ caution against attaining worldly fame and losing one’s true connection with God is deeply provoking. It is exemplified in the ultimate choice of Edith Stein, a brilliant Jewish student of philosophy who converted to Catholicism. Eventually, she became a Carmelite nun and took up the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, at a time when the Nazis were growing in power in Germany. She was arrested by the Nazis and sent to a death camp. She died together with her sister Rosa on August 9, 1942. Pope John Paul II canonized her on October 11, 1998.
St. Teresa was called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps quite literally. She took up her cross and made the total sacrifice of her life after the pattern of Jesus' own death. Not many of us will be asked to sacrifice our lives for our faith in the dignity of all human beings but each of us is to bear the unique cross that we have been given. To dedicate one’s life to truth, love and justice is to live a full life, even if one is called to sacrifice that life as St. Teresa was called to do.
Lord, You restored our life by giving Your life to us, grant us to truly trust that our lives are in Your hand even if our dying is seen by the world as tragic.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day jul be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.
Elaboration
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