Shining on the Inside

Dear Diary 

This morning at Holy Mass, Father LeRoy read from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus spoke about the scribes and Pharisees being like whitewashed tombs. They looked clean and pretty on the outside, but inside they were full of bones and filth. That sounded so sad and frightening. Sister Mary Claire whispered to me later that Jesus was showing us that what’s in our hearts matters more than how we look to other people.

I thought of it on our walk home with Mini trotting ahead, sniffing the weeds along the gravel road. Sometimes I get so busy trying to look neat in my overalls or making sure my braids are just right that I forget that Jesus is really looking at my heart. He sees if I’m kind, or if I’m selfish and crabby inside. I don’t want to be like a pretty tomb that is empty and ugly inside—I want to be good all the way through.

When we reached the mailbox, Mini sat down like she was guarding it, and Sister said, “It is better to have a heart full of love than a face full of polish.” I tucked that saying away in my head like a little treasure.

Tonight as I write, I think of the prophets Jesus mentioned—the brave men who spoke God’s truth even when people didn’t want to hear it. I prayed that I can be brave too, even in little ways, like speaking kindly when I feel impatient or helping Sister without grumbling.

Evening Prayer:

Dear Jesus, please help me not to care so much about how I look on the outside, but to keep my heart pure and full of love for You. Wash me clean inside, so I may shine for You in all I do.

Love, Kathy