What shall I wear?

Readings for Thursday September 10, 2009

First Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 150
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38


Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. (Col. 3:12-14)

Most of us wake up each morning with the same dilemma .... what shall I wear today? We always have to take many things into consideration, is it hot or cold outside? Do I have an important meeting or a presentation to give? Will I be getting dirty or running around in the mud? What we go out of the house in is dependent on what it is like outside and where we are heading. Putting on the right clothes and accessories each day is an important task for each of us, it should not be the only things that we consider putting on.

In his letter to the Colossians, Saint Paul tells us of the important of putting on particular traits; compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. He also tells us that over all of these to put on love, which is the bond of perfection. I wonder how many of us leave our home and not only think to take a jacket, but also "put some patience or forgiveness?" What I mean by "put on" is to go and make the actual decision to put these virtues into action, to decide that day to practice these virtues. How many of us make the decision each morning to go out this day to love each other, as God loves us?

I believe that if we each made the decision to love each other as God loves us and to put on these virtues each and every day, then we would find ourselves truly ready to take on each day, no matter what is thrown at us.

Wondering what to wear today? I think love would look great on you!

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, help us to go out this day, putting on these virtues along with love. Lord, help us to forgive those who wrong us, and we pray for forgiveness for those we have wronged. We pray for all of our priests and for their ministry and for their strength in their vows. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.