Our Journey of Faith - Holiness Begins with Small Choices

 readings 091625 

There are seven young families in our small parish.
Late twenties, early thirties—bright, educated, full of promise.
Some are just beginning their journey as parents.
Others are more seasoned, learning as they go.

As a father, I’m proud of the young men.
They are husbands, fathers, and men of faith—
the kind the world needs more of.
They come to Mass.
They bring their families.
They lead with love.

And their wives—
strong, faithful, prayerful women
who walk with God
and nurture their homes with grace.

But what moves me most is this:
in each of these young men and women,
I see the faith of their families.
Some of their parents I’ve known for years.
Some I’ve only met once or twice.
Some sit beside us at Mass.
Some are not Catholic—
but they are people of deep faith.

Because holiness doesn’t begin in the sanctuary.
It begins in the home.
It begins in the quiet, everyday moments—
when a child asks a question,
when a spouse offers forgiveness,
when a family bows their heads to pray.

Holiness begins with small choices:
being kind,
being honest,
being prayerful.
And grace—grace is not just a gift we receive.
It’s a power that transforms us.
It moves through our words,
our choices,
our love.

Saint Paul reminds us:
before we can guide others,
we must care for our own.
Psalm 101 says,
“I will walk with blameless heart within my house.”

So let us walk with God—
in our homes,
in our families,
in our everyday lives.
Let our homes become altars.
Let our lives become prayers.
Let our journey become a witness
to the love of Christ—
who walks with us
every step of the way.

Prayer for a Blameless Heart at Home

Lord Jesus,
You walked into homes with healing,
into sorrow with compassion,
into ordinary lives with extraordinary grace.

Teach us to walk with You—
in kindness,
in honesty,
in prayer.

May we walk with blameless hearts
and carry Your light
into every quiet moment.

Amen.