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Today's Gospel: Mt 13:44-46

I decided to spend 15 minutes with the Gospel reading. I saw that it was very short, and thought, "Oh, boy, here we go," meaning that it's very hard to sit still in silence for most of us. A wise priest told me to read slow and repeatedly; whatever jumps out is what the Holy Spirit wants to talk with you about.

If you don't mind me saying, the thing that occurred is that I don't love God this much. Do you ever have a victory against a temptation, and think, "Whew! I didn't lose"? It's more like relief. But the truth is, we can't stay there for long. Pleasing God and keeping the commands will become dull and boring, if we do not ask God to increase our love.

I need eyes to see the end, and its everlasting joy. Frankly, my heart most often says, "Surely I in vain have kept my heart pure."

Come, Holy Spirit...
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