Fr. Greg Heille, OP

Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven as being like the leaven in dough that, though small, can grow and take over the whole measure of flour. Our hearts can grow with the love of God, but sometimes they get frozen. Let yours grow, and perhaps use the pope's new encyclical on devotion to the Sacred Heart to help.

On this feast of Sts. Simon and Jude we read of Jesus choosing the apostles. Each of us are also called to become his followers and receive an epiclesis, a transformation by the Holy Spirit turning us into the Body of Christ so that we can join in Christ's mission.

Saints Cosmas and Damian knew that their martyrdom would spread sparks far and wide to ignite the faith of the Christian community and thus embraced their faith. Let their example and their prayers reignite your own faith this day. Even though all things might seem hopeless, they are not for nought with the help of God.

As Jesus preached, he also healed, and when he sent his disciples out to preach, he sent them to heal as well. Thus we can ask ourselves if we heal others as we preach the Good News?

On this Feast of St. Augustine, who gave the Dominicans its Primitive Rule of Life, we are challenged to examine what day to day mundane chores of life help us to go forth into the world in love and service?

On this Memorial of St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, we are confronted with the question of what is important to us and how do we attend to it?