Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

(Exodus 3:1-6.9-12; Matthew 11:29-27)

Moses sounds like other prophets when, called by God, he tries to evade responsibility.  Feeling incapable of carrying out the Lord’s mission, he asks the Lord, “’Who am I that I should go to Pharoah…?’” God gives Moses an identity no doubt unanticipated in his question.  Moses is the one whom “’I will be with…’” Assured of God’s presence, how could he not try to carry out the mission?

God also went with St. Kateri Tekakwitha, whom we remember today.  She was persecuted by her Iroquois tribe when she became a Christian.  From her native village in what is now upper New York state, she walked two hundred miles to a Christian, native community near Montreal.  As a demonstration of God’s presence to her, she spent her four remaining years living an exemplary Christian life.  Like Moses as well, many marvelous deeds accredited to her.

Let us not doubt that God goes with us as well.  We carry him close to our hearts when we pray regularly.  There is no need of shame to ask for the gifts we need to serve him well. More patience, more humility, more understanding – whatever we find lacking in ourselves.  We just have to pray for these virtues sincerely and wait to receive them.