Lift up your hearts; Church Fathers: Day 209

If you keep your gaze trained on things that are above, says St. Gregory the Great, you’ll be able to walk the right path through your life here on earth.

Lift your faithful hearts, dear friends, to the gracious blaze of eternal light, and pay close attention, in adoration of the mysteries given for our salvation, to the things that have been done for you.

Love the purity of a chaste life, because Christ is the Son of a virgin. “Ab­stain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11), as we are urged by the blessed Apostle, who is here with us in his words as we read. “Be babes in evil” (1 Corinthians 14:20), because the Lord of Glory made himself a mortal babe. Pursue that humility that the Son of God condescended to teach to his disciples. Put on the power of patience, and gain your souls by it, since he who is the redemption of all is also the strength of all. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). Walk firmly on the path of truth and life. Do not let earthly things hold you back when heavenly things are prepared for you through our Lord Jesus Christ. –St. Gregory the Great, Sermon 31, 3

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When I look back over what I’ve done today, what would I have done differently if I’d really set my mind on things that are above?

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, I beg that you will send me the Spirit of light, so that I may gaze on your inde­scribable mysteries. In your mercy, make me fit for greater things than I can know on earth.

Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.