During my recent trips to Chicago and Missouri, I noticed signs everywhere pointing to tornado shelters. We rarely think about tornadoes here in southeastern Massachusetts, but they are a fact of life in the Midwest. I was surprised to learn that a tornado forms from the ground up, not from the clouds down.
That image came to mind as I prayed with today’s Gospel. Jesus says, “It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles.” Our sinful words and actions do not simply appear. They arise from the heart.
When we struggle with recurring sins, we often focus on changing our behavior alone. While that is important, Jesus invites us to go deeper. Lasting conversion begins with a heart transformed by His grace and centered on His love.
Today, ask the Lord not only to help you avoid sin, but to deepen your love for Him, for a heart fixed on Christ will naturally bear good fruit.
Living in Love with God 
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