“In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)

I got stuck on one word in today’s first reading. Being.

We are being built into a dwelling place of God. Not finished. Still under construction.

And Paul tells us that we’re being built upon the foundation of the Apostles, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

That immediately got me thinking about the Communion of Saints.

I sometimes call them my cheat code! Think about it. We have all these holy men and women in heaven who want nothing more than for us to grow closer to God. And they are willing to pray for us when we ask.

Why wouldn’t I take advantage of that?

They aren’t replacing God. They’re helping me get closer to Him. Just like I ask people here on earth to pray for me, I can ask the saints to pray for me too.

I actually have what I call my Board of Directors. It’s a group of saints I regularly turn to for help. Each one has a particular place in my life, whether it’s helping me grow in a virtue, overcome a struggle, or better live out my responsibilities. I ask them to pray for me in those specific areas.

Then I got to the Gospel.

Jesus went up the mountain and spent the entire night in prayer before choosing His twelve Apostles.

The entire night!

Here is Jesus, infinitely wiser and stronger than I will ever be, spending the night in prayer before an important decision. And here I am, sometimes thinking I’m strong enough or wise enough to handle things myself.

Who do I think I am?

I’ve been praying for someone going through a particularly difficult time. My prayer has been that he finds strength, but also recognizes that he doesn’t have to be strong enough to get through it without God.

And as I was praying that, I realized I needed to hear it myself.

I can get so caught up in my own responsibilities, decisions, and ideas that I forget to lean on God. Sometimes my pride gets in the way. Sometimes I think I have the answers.

But I don’t have to figure everything out myself. Neither does anyone else.

We have God, who wants us to spend time with Him. And we have the Communion of Saints, who are praying for us and helping us along the way.

So my prayer today is that I remember to spend real time with God, especially when things get difficult or important decisions need to be made. Not just a quick prayer before moving on, but time with Him. And Lord, help me remember to ask for help, both from You and from all those saints who have gone before us.

I’m still being built. And thank goodness I’m not doing it alone.

Here’s my challenge to you today: Find a saint who speaks to something you’re facing in your life. Maybe start with your Confirmation saint. Ask for their prayers, and then spend some real time with God, trusting that you don’t have to face it alone.

I pray you get the graces you need today.

Keep up the good fight.

I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.

All you holy saints, pray for us!

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22 | Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5 | Luke 6:12-16