Monday Morning Catholic 8-25-25
Scripture:
Romans 5:3-5
Isaiah 66:18
Quotes:
All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us, and change is painful.”--Flannery O’Conner
Many begin well, but there are few who persevere.” -Saint Jerome
Prayer:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Reflections:
Pride, Humility, and the Narrow Road
This week, during our Lenten study at St. Michael’s, I’ve been listening to the daily reflections on the Hallow app. The focus has been on the vice of pride and the virtue of humility. At first glance, humility seems simple—but living it out feels incredibly difficult.
I often struggle with feeling good about myself and building self-confidence, all while trying not to let others take advantage of my generosity. Humility can sometimes feel like stepping aside and letting others shine. Honestly, I’m embarrassed to admit that I often feel resentment when my efforts go unnoticed and others receive praise. I continually work on resisting prideful, judgmental thoughts.
But this week, something shifted in my perspective.
One idea from the Hallow podcast struck me deeply:
“God gives us free will, but then includes us in a plan that doesn’t need us—yet affords us the dignity of being involved. To deny God’s impact or not be humble about this would be insane.”
That really hit home. Anytime I don’t give God credit, I give in to pride. Of course, He is the orchestrator of all that I have. So why do I feel I deserve praise? I can do nothing on my own; every gift I have comes from Him.
Another point they made was this:
“We are not the source of truth… God is the source of truth.”
This reminded me not to take it personally when people question or disagree with me. I don’t always know best, and I can't see the full picture as God does. So how can I believe that “my truth” holds more value than someone else’s? Pride allows me to dismiss others and their worth. Only by following God’s truth can I begin to let go of that prideful mindset.
At the same time, it’s false humility to say I have no gifts to offer. True humility means recognizing the Lord’s beauty and glory—and doing all I can to further His plan and promote His kingdom. I love this quote from St. Francis of Assisi:
“What we are before God is what we are, and nothing else.”
I can’t be fake with God. I can’t fool Him. He knows my heart and what I’m made for.
Then today, I was struck by this quote from Flannery O’Connor:
“All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us, and change is painful.”
Why do we cling so tightly to our own ideas and plans? Why not simply let God lead? Let His grace take over. Lay our burdens at the foot of the cross and rest in Him. I feel like a broken record sometimes, always saying I need to do this—but it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in that struggle. Change is hard.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the narrow road. He tells us the path is clear, but not easy. And that’s the point, isn’t it?
This also reminded me of a song that always seems to find me when I’m discouraged—Narrow Road by Chris Renzema. One lyric stands out:
“You said it’d be a narrow road, so why am I surprised when it seems I’m on my own?”
The word seems is key—because we are never truly alone. The road will be hard. There will be burdens and struggles. But it’s how we respond that matters. Do we cling to pride, thinking it’s all up to us? Or are we brave enough to embrace the change, the unknown, and let Him lead?
Because He is there. His grace is enough. He has equipped us with the gifts we need and placed people in our lives to walk the journey with us.
I haven’t freed myself from the vice of pride this week. That work continues. But I find comfort in these revelations. And I pray that I can continue to lean on my faith—and on the faithful companions around me—to stay on that narrow road, walking toward God’s kingdom. —Lizz
Strengthen your weak knees
I had to smirk during Mass yesterday when I heard those words. The second reading—Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13—felt like it was aimed directly at me. I wasn’t exactly a gentle athlete in my youth, and now my left knee seems to be in a heated competition with my right over which one can cause more pain. Hobbling has become my preferred mode of transportation.
This was one of those Masses where I really wished Lizz had been sitting next to me—like the ones we attended on our pilgrimage in July. Because I know, without a doubt, we were underlining the same lines in the readings, and would have traded the same smirks. Especially at the line about the knees. She would have so glanced a smirk and stared at me. Rather, we ended up discussing the deeper message as we always do, after Mass. Which is now shared with you as well.
Today’s main themes from our discussion were how trials are a form of discipline, and how we’re called to endure them, not avoid them.
In moments like this, I find myself returning to my mindset as an athlete and coach. You can’t truly appreciate victory without first experiencing struggle. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Progress demands challenge. And part of being an athlete—or a coach—is having the humility and courage to call yourself out when you’re slacking, underprepared, or making excuses. That’s never easy. But complacency is the enemy of growth.
Likewise, in the spiritual life, complacency draws us away from the path of holiness. As sons and daughters of God, we are called to be disciplined in our faith, vigilant in our hope, and persistent in our longing for Heaven. Yet how often do we let suffering or frustration shake our trust in God? How often do we neglect prayer, the sacraments, or the call to daily conversion simply because the road is hard?
Our trials, as Scripture reminds us, are a form of discipline—not punishment, but formation. They are how the Lord strengthens what is weak and makes straight our paths. We are told to stay awake, to be ready, for we do not know the day or the hour. And yet we falter. But even then, God is patient. He meets us in our weakness and invites us to cooperate with His grace. Our part is to stay in the fight—to remain faithful in prayer, rooted in the sacraments, and open to the purifying work of suffering.
Sanctity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s chosen, one small act of trust at a time. And through it all, we’re reminded: God is forming us, not abandoning us
Our priest’s homily added another layer to this reflection. He asked: Do you have confidence in Christ? He reminded us that Jesus was always on the move—He brings salvation, actively. And that salvation isn’t something we define on our own terms. It isn’t a solo pursuit. It’s not about what we want—it’s about what God gives. And it’s communal. —Mary
