August 11, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm: Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
Reflect on the Word //
Farmers plow fields surrounded by woods, and within those bounds they plant. Even in my tiny backyard garden, we plant within the borders of raised beds. Both livestock and cities are guarded by gates, the occupants thus roaming freely and safely.
Today’s Responsorial Psalm states, “For he has strengthened the bars of your gates” and “He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you” (Psalm 147:13-14).
The landscape of my soul contains gates and borders too. Gates guard, and boundaries allow the field of my heart to actually be more abundant. Instead of slinging seed every which way like a madwoman, these borders allow me to intentionally sow seed where it will bear the most fruit. Then, “with the best of wheat he fills” my heart.
But these gates and borders are not easy to maintain. Distraction and spiritual thieves threaten siege at every turn. When I don’t “glorify the LORD” in my planting as I’m charged (Psalm 146:12), I waste the “seed” of time, energy, and grace. I leave the gate open, so to speak, in spiritual sloth so that enemies can more easily access the garden of my soul.
So how can we prepare and guard our hearts so that our gates are strong and our fields peaceful? Our efforts will be fruitless apart from the Lord, for He is the One Who knows what is best for us. In prayer, we hear His Word proclaimed. We must invite the Lord into our garden to cultivate the fruit and keep it safe, and spend time with Him there. In action, we remain good stewards of what comes in through our gates and what remains within our borders. We allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to “strengthen our gates” through the practice of virtue.
It is in the safety of praising the Lord, then, that we will dwell, reap, and live in peace.
Relate to the Lord // Imagine the landscape of your soul. What does Jesus want to show you about your gates and borders? Listen for His voice.
Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She holds degrees in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and works from home while enjoying her children and husband. She curates relevant and inspiring content for Catholic women as Blog Manager. She is the narrator of Set a Fire, And Hay Became Holy, and All She Had as well as a contributing author for Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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