I Thessalonians 1: 1-5, 8b-10 (Monday, August 27, 2007 Feast of St. Monica)

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. Monica was given in marriage to a pagan Patricius, even though she was Christian. Patricius lived a life of licentiousness. Monica’s mother in law who also lived in the same town with them was a very difficult woman to contend. Her child, St. Augustine, also became a Manichean. Monica was able to bring Christ to their lives and change them. Monica did this through an enduring life of prayer and an exemplary Christian lifestyle. As today’s reading says, the gospel does not come in words alone. It comes by how we live our lives. The results of Monica’s prayers were not immediate; they came after a long time of prayer.

In our lives, we know people we wish they were better people. We may have family members or friends who have fallen from the church or never practiced religion. The greatest important thing we can do for them is to pray for them and live exemplary Christian lives. Jesus would gradually draw them to himself.

Prayer:
Lord, we place in your hands family members and friends who have fallen away from the Church or who have no place for you in their hearts, we ask you to draw them to yourself and help them to recognize the power of your presence in their lives.