By Nirmal Kumar csc –
Readings: 1Thes 4: 1-8; Mt 25: 1-12
The tendency of pleasing everyone in everything is the weakness of the flesh. But in the first reading, St. Paul invites me to please God rather than pleasing anyone else. In the gospel, Jesus calls me to live a life of holiness. It is not that one should live the life of holiness alone but to be a light of holiness to others as well.
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Monica who is a good example for leading a holy life. As a lay woman, she lived a life that was pleasing to God. And she fervently prayed for her son Augustine to live a life of holiness. And he did change, though it took quite a long time.
But her prayer never went in vain. When I live a life of holiness, it will be pleasing in the eyes of God, and I should draw courage to lead my companion brothers to the path of holiness and by taking the example of St. Monica in my personal prayer.