Straining Out the Gnat to Swallow the Camel - What is Really Important and What is Not?

Today we celebrate the feast of St Rose of Lima, who lived a life of prayer and penance. Her witness ought to help us be reminded of what is most important. In today's readings for Mass we hear:

Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean." (Mt 23-24-26)

Listen to my homily for today:

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St Rose of Lima was convinced that suffering realigns our priorities, revealing to us what is most important and what is not. She wrote:

“Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase...This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven.”