In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks of the outside of a cup and dish being clean but not the inside. It reminded me of some memories, specifically, the after dinner routine in my childhood home. This included either myself or one of my sisters cleaning up the dishes [fyi: unless there was adult supervision, only one sibling would do the dishes or discord, including water fights, towel snapping, or tears, would follow].
Items would get a rinsing and light scrubbing before being loaded into the dishwasher and the rest would be hand washed. This was done as the dishwasher typically deposited some food particles and baked them on the surfaces and yet, sometimes this happened when we girls washed the dishes as well. We would get distracted by the issues of life and the world around us. We would make statements as facts or assumptions that caused us to lose focus on the tasks and the people around us, which led to problems in the personal and family life of the household.
The readings today tell us to keep ourselves in check through diligent review and reflection, prayer and the grace of God, to make changes and clean our interior dirt or leftovers that still cling to us. I know I absolutely need constructive feedback from my coworkers, family, friends and spiritual director, to help me see my mistakes, the food stuck in my tooth or point out the threads that have pulled in the seat of my pants or my life.
“The Word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart,” is the Gospel acclamation from Hebrews 4:12. Through continual reflection on the Word in prayer, attending Mass, receiving the Eucharist, taking time for adoration, finding silence to examine my thoughts, actions and reactions, helps me to ask for God’s forgiveness and seek the forgiveness of others whom I have offended.
Jesus tells us not to neglect the weightier things of the law, that of judgment, mercy and fidelity. These things we need to be mindful of as well as all other components of His teachings. It is not an easy path but a constant conversion of my heart, actions, words and expressions.
St. Rose of Lima, whose feast is today, is attributed to saying, “Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived.”
O St. Rose, first flower of sanctity in the New World, let the fragrance of your virtues diffuse itself in our lives. Grant that we may imitate your holy purity; obtain for us courage in the practice of penance. Teach us to love Christ Jesus and Mary His Mother. Please continue to intercede and bless all the Americas, which give thanks to Him, the Giver of all good gifts. Amen.
En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús habla de que el exterior de una taza y un plato están limpios, pero no el interior. Me hizo acordar de algunos recuerdos, específicamente, la rutina después de la cena en la casa de mi infancia. Esto incluía yo o una de mis hermanas limpiando los platos [para tu información: a menos de que hubiera la supervisión de un adulto, solo una hermana lavaba los platos a la vez, o seguiría la discordia, incluyendo peleas de agua, chasquidos de toallas o lágrimas].
Enjuagábamos los platos con un lavado ligero antes de ponerlos en el lavaplatos y el resto se lavaba a mano. Esto se hizo porque el lavaplatos generalmente depositaba algunas partículas de comida y las horneaba en las superficies y, sin embargo, a veces esto sucedía cuando nosotros también lavábamos los platos. Nos distraíamos con los asuntos de la vida y del mundo que nos rodeaba. Hacíamos afirmaciones como hechos o suposiciones que hacían que perdiéramos el enfoque en las tareas y en las personas que nos rodeaban, lo que generaba problemas en la vida personal y familiar del hogar.
Las lecturas de hoy nos dicen que nos mantengamos bajo control a través de la revisión y la reflexión diligentes, la oración y la gracia de Dios, para hacer cambios y limpiar nuestra suciedad interior o los “restos de la comida” que aún se adhieren a nosotros. Sé que necesito absolutamente los comentarios constructivos de mis compañeros de trabajo, mi familia, mis amigos y mi director espiritual, que me ayuden a ver mis errores, la comida atorada en mis dientes o señalar los hilos que se han tirado en el asiento de mis pantalones o de mi vida.
La aclamación evangélica de Hebreos 4,12 nos dice, “La palabra de Dios es viva y eficaz y descubre los pensamientos e intenciones del corazón”. A través de la reflexión continua sobre la Palabra en la oración, asistir a Misa, recibir la Eucaristía, tomar tiempo para la adoración, encontrar silencio para examinar mis pensamientos, acciones y reacciones, me ayuda a pedir el perdón de Dios y buscar el perdón de otros a quienes he ofendido.
Jesús nos dice que no descuidemos las cosas más importantes de la ley, la del juicio, la misericordia y la fidelidad. Debemos tener en cuenta estas cosas, así como todos los demás componentes de Sus enseñanzas. No es un camino fácil sino una constante conversión de mi corazón, acciones, palabras y expresiones.
A Santa Rosa de Lima, cuya fiesta es hoy, se le atribuye haber dicho: “Que sepan que los dones de la gracia aumentan a medida que aumentan las batallas. Que los hombres se cuiden de no extraviarse y ser engañados.”
Oh Santa Rosa, primera flor de santidad en el Nuevo Mundo, deja que la fragancia de tus virtudes se esparza en nuestras vidas. Concede que podamos imitar tu santa pureza; alcánzanos valor en la práctica de la penitencia. Enséñanos a amar a Cristo Jesús y a María Su Madre. Por favor, continúe intercediendo y bendiciendo a todas las Américas, que le dan gracias a Él, el Dador de todos los buenos dones. Amén.
Beth Price is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and a practicing spiritual director. Beth shares smiles, prayers, laughter, a listening ear and her heart with all of creation. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.
Feature Image Credit: Rewrite27, pixabay.com/photos/water-flow-static-wash-the-dishes-2464417/
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 
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