You Cannot Drive a Parked Car

You cannot drive a parked car.

Obviously!

Today, let’s hop into this parked car with Saints Peter and Paul. It’s the great Solemnity of this dynamic duo and they want to teach us how to drive.

Rule #1: Regularly maintain your vehicle.

God wants us to safely arrive at our home in Heaven.

He wants our body and soul to be healthy and fully alive.

Exercise. Eat. Sleep. Pray. Frequent the Sacraments.

Rule #2: Choose your destination.

Where are you going today?

Whom are you going to visit?

Where are you going with your career? Your family? Your vocation?

Let’s choose love, holiness, Heaven.

Rule #3: Wear your seatbelt.

Saint Peter advises, Do you remember from today’s first reading when I was locked up in prison, sleeping in chains? An angel woke me up and told me to get up, put on my [seat]belt, sandals, and cloak. I thought I was still dreaming, but I did what the angel asked, without asking all my questions. Although you might not see an angel today, always remember your Guardian Angel is at your side, encouraging and protecting you. (Based on Acts 12:1-11.)

Rule #4: You cannot drive a parked car.

In order to go somewhere, we need to do something.

Turn on the ignition, shift the car into drive, gently press your foot on the accelerator pedal, and you’re off!

As you pilgrimage along your particular path to holiness, follow Jesus!

The Lord can only steer you further along into your vocation when you are already moving.

Rule #5: Safe travels!

Saint Paul advises, The Lord is with you to give you strength. Compete well. Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the faith. The Lord will bring you safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Based on 2 Timothy 4.)

As you pilgrimage along your particular path to holiness, follow Jesus!Click to tweet

Have your read Saint Peter's epistles? Take a look at the introduction to 1 Peter and read it through, like a letter from a dear friend.

Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book, Rise Up and the author of our Blessed Conversations: Ways to Pray study found here. You can find out more about her here.