In today's first reading, St. Paul opens his letter to the Ephesians with a hymn of praise. Before the foundation of the world, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless before Him in love. We are not accidents or afterthoughts. We are blessed, chosen, adopted as sons and daughters, and redeemed through the blood of Christ.
In today's Gospel, Jesus continues His warning to the experts in the law. They honoured the prophets of the past by building their tombs, yet they resisted the living voice of God in their own time. Worse, they took away the key of knowledge: they did not enter in themselves, and they hindered those who were trying to enter. Religion without humility can become a barrier instead of a doorway.
Today we also remember St. Teresa of Ávila, who showed that the way into God's heart is prayer: a simple, honest friendship with the One who loves us. She reminds us that holiness is not performance but closeness.
Let us receive God's blessings with gratitude, listen to His voice today and not only honour it in the past, and help others draw near to Him rather than making the way harder.
REMEMBER TODAY
You are chosen, loved, and blessed in Christ. Live from that identity.
Listen to God's voice in the present, not only in memories of the past.
Never become an obstacle to someone seeking God.
Share what you have received with humility and joy.
Make time for quiet, honest prayer, as St. Teresa taught.
Give thanks for every spiritual blessing, seen and unseen.
