Today is the memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native American woman who converted to Catholicism with the guidance of Jesuit missionaries in spite of much resistance and hardships. As is so often the case with converts, her zeal for the faith impressed and inspired those around her, including those who were born into it.
Today’s gospel shows Jesus reproaching the towns in which most of his mighty deeds had been done because they had not repented. Sometimes those of us who grow up knowing about Jesus and know about his mighty deeds can be the most unaware of the magnificence that is before us. We can grow so accustomed to it, that we are left tepid, unimpressed. In moments of lukewarmth or apathy, may we draw from the example of St. Kateri and so many other converts who teach us the beauty and grandeur of believing in and loving Jesus.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!