Saturday of week 4 in Ordinary Time, 1

CHOOSING WHAT IS BETTER

Mark 6:30-34 

The readings reflect choosing what is better.  Of course, we can always do what is good.  But Jesus did what is better - teaching the people, going a mile to be with the suffering, and helping them to be better persons.

The spirituality of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin followed this path to be better if not, the best in being parents and now, being saints.  The proof is St. Therese herself, their loving daughter.  In raising their children, they haven't lost sight of heaven.  Even St. Therese said, "I want to be a saint."  And so she proceeded to be one.

What can we emulate from the examples of these two holy couple?

First, desire to enter Heaven

It started with them.  Both Louis and Zelie wanted to serve God by dedicating themselves totally to him to the point of becoming celibate.  But God had other plans for them.  He wanted them to be holy in the midst of marital and family life.  Remember the millions of parents that gave us examples of holiness.

Second, they desire their children to enter Heaven

Note the prayer of St. Zelie.  Every time there would be a death in the family, she felt deep sorrow.  On the other hand, she produced saints in them.  Desire you children to be saints in heaven.  Do what is necessary as a parent to lead them to heaven.

Third, rear the family for Heaven

In her letter, Zelie mentioned, "When we had our children, our ideas changed.  We lived only for them.  They were all our happiness and we never found any except in them.  In short, nothing was too difficult, and the world was no longer a burden for us.  For me, our children were a great compensation, so I wanted to have a lot of them in order to raise them to heaven."

This is not only better, but the best option in life, to rear everyone for Heaven.  Sts. Louie and Zelie, we pray for every family and every married couple, that they may emulate your married life and so gain children for eternal life.  We ask this through Jesus our Lord, Amen.