August 27, 2019 Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time-C ST. MONICA

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Psalm 139

Matthew 23:23-26

…not trying to please men, but rather God, who judges our hearts. 

1 Thes. 2:5

O Lord, you have probed me and you know me… Ps. 139:1

Lord, in your grand Sermon on the Mount you said: “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.”  You care most about the state of our hearts, our intentions and our motives.  On the outside we may look holy and pure but what counts is the condition of our insides.  You can see everything about me and know me better than I know myself.  You behold my weaknesses–all of them.  You see the good and the pure.  I can pay too much attention to appearances in order to gain praise from others.  I hide my sin from sight so as to look good and faithful.  While setting a good example for others is right and necessary, it’s real easy to do the right thing for the wrong reason.  Lord, purify my heart so I can be whole and pleasing to you in all ways.  May all I think, say, and do reflect a real love of you and desire to do the will of the Father.  I pray for the perseverance and faith of St. Monica who was a complete wife and mother.  Amen.