Feast of Saint Justa

Good morning. Deciding what is the right thing to do and making the choice to do the right thing can be difficult at times. We live in a world that makes it increasingly difficult to live out our Catholic identity. Sometimes it is even difficult to know what the right thing is; at times the wrong thing is so commonplace that we sometimes question our not doing those things. At times we might find ourselves ridiculed for not going along with everyone else. We live in a world that is uncertain and self-indulgent. Jesus in today’s Gospel reminds us that we must put doing the right thing—doing the will of God—above everything, even our family. As parents it is our responsibility to help our children make the right decisions, and as mentioned already this can be difficult for all of us. It seems it is even more difficult for our children as they live in a culture where they witness so many adults doing what their parents are telling them not to do. This is why it is so very important as parents that we teach and live an example of doing what is right, even when it is countercultural. If as parents we are going to effectively teach our children to live Christian lives then we will need to model lives that rise above the cultural norms and accepted ways that are counter to the ways of God. Jean Bethke Elshtain notes in her book Who Are We?: Critical Reflections and Hopeful Possibilities that we live in a time which is challenging but she notes that from the freedom found within the Gospels we can find the fortitude to not only rise above the culture of death, but with God’s help we can transform the culture. We pray it is true! Make a great day.

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of Saint Justa. She was martyred for making the right choice.