Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles

Today's Mass Readings

Any important decision needs to begin with prayer. The Rule of St. Benedict says that any good work must start with prayer. In the Gospel today, even Jesus spends the night in prayer before making the critical decision of choosing his apostles. How does prayer help us make good decisions? Two thoughts can help.
First, prayer helps us be in dialogue with the one person who knows us the best. God can help us understand and correct our motivations, hopes, and fears if necessary. All of these affect how we make decisions. For example, if we are overly fearful, we may make a wrong decision that will not help us or others. In prayer, be honest with how you feel so that you know what is influencing you.

Second, prayer can encourage us when the decision is difficult. Maybe you need to talk to a loved one about a difficult situation, perhaps a challenging health update. Prayer can give you the sense that you are not alone in that decision because Christ is with you through prayer. In prayer, ask for Christ’s accompaniment.

When faced with a difficult decision, go to prayer, and ask that Christ be with you and help you understand his will for you.

Reflection by Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB