TAKE A CLOSE LOOK IN THE MIRROR
It
is important that we take a careful look in the mirror. When our Lord
criticizes religious people during His preaching and teaching, it is worth
taking time to prayerfully consider whether or not Jesus' words are directed at
faithful people like us as well. What could Jesus mean when He says, "Do
and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their
example. For they preach but they do not practice" (Mt 23:4). The
difference, from His perspective, is the way He defines the greatness that
ought to be honored. "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever
exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be
exalted" (Mt 23:11 - 12).
Today
the Church honors St. Rose of Lima, the patroness of Latin America and the
Philippines. She was called Rose because she was beautiful. She also knew that
her beauty would interfere with her devotion to our Lord, and she was troubled
by it and the attention it caused. She also defied her parents' wish to be
married. And so she suffered loneliness as a result of the opposition she
faced. Thus, she chose to live in solitude.
St.
Rose of Lima's life is a reminder that fixation on appearance is a superficial
distraction that harms both the admirer and the one objectified. We are all
beautiful because we belong to a God Who loves us! Take a close look in the
mirror!