Pastor's Reflection - September 6, 2026

Strength in the Inner Self

     One of my favorite Scripture passages is Ephesians 3:14–21. In this prayer, St. Paul asks for a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in our inner selves.

     I recently shared with you in a homily that I had a powerful experience during Mass in which the Lord showed me that He accomplishes this wonderful work each time we receive Holy Communion.

     While reading The Imitation of Christ, I came across a prayer that reinforces what St. Paul was asking for the Christian community in Ephesus.

     I pray that you will feel the strength of the Holy Spirit guiding you through whatever challenges you may be facing. Here is the prayer from The Imitation of Christ.

A Prayer for Cleansing the Heart and Obtaining Heavenly Wisdom

Strengthen me by the grace of Your Holy Spirit, O God. Give me the power to be strengthened inwardly and to empty my heart of all vain care and anxiety, so that I may not be drawn away by many desires, whether for precious things or for insignificant ones. Let me look upon everything as passing, and upon myself as soon to pass away with them, because there is nothing lasting under the sun, where all is vanity and affliction of spirit. How wise is the person who thinks thus!

Give me, Lord, heavenly wisdom to learn, above all else, to seek and find You, to enjoy and love You more than anything, and to consider other things as they are, according to the order established by Your wisdom. Grant me prudence to avoid the flatterer and to bear patiently with those who disagree with me. For it is great wisdom not to be moved by the sound of words or to give ear to the wicked, flattering siren. Then I shall walk safely in the way I have begun.

Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book III, Chapter 27