“Be the change you want to see.”

   We have heard this saying before.  And yet, we think only of external actions.  Thinking we need to go out and fix the world.  And while that is true, we must first and foremost fix ourselves.  “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” [Matthew 7:3]

   You and I do not want a leader that still needs to fix themselves.  Sure, we are all work’s-in-progress to a point, but we do not want leaders with large beams in their eye leading us.  We want righteous leaders.  Yet, we get the leaders we deserve because we are not righteous ourselves.  One more reason we need to start with ourselves.

   We all have vices that our guardian angels or consciences can easily remind us of that we need to work on.  If you think not, just ask.  You might have to ask it to stop shortly after though.  Learning of our vices can be a bit terrifying.  But the purpose is not terrifying.  The purpose of learning your vices is to rid yourself of them.  We may not have the power to do so, but God does.  And Our Father gave us a Mother to nurture us into who we are meant to be.  Lean on Her, especially your daily Rosary.

   Mary, as our Mother, we rely upon you to nurture us into the sons and daughters of God that we were created to be.  Help and encourage us to rid ourselves of the beams and then splinters we have that prevent us to embracing the goodness God created us for, so that we might enter Heaven and bring with us as many others as we can. Amen.