Last week, I was blessed with a free morning, so I did what I love to do while the rest of the world is at work: I took myself on a little retreat to the Basilica. My ideal morning involves treating myself to a Starbucks iced coffee, hopping on the metro, and heading to the Basilica for some quiet time in adoration, followed by confession and then noon Mass. It’s calm, peaceful, and simple; again, a perfect morning.
The Basilica hosts some truly fascinating and wonderful priests from all over the world and my confessions there often lead to a phenomenal conversation. This week was no different.
I sat down in the confessional with a priest visiting from Nigeria. As I laid out my sins, he nodded and listened intently. When I finished, he looked at me, then gestured to the crucifix on the wall and said, “First and foremost, you are a beloved daughter of God. Nothing—nothing—can remove you from His love. In Him, you have everything.”
We continued speaking for another ten minutes, and over and over again, between other encouragements and reminders, he returned to those words: “First and foremost, you are a beloved daughter of God…”
This isn’t news to me. I went to Catholic school. I go to Mass. I listen to podcasts. I know I am a beloved daughter of God.
But if I’m being honest, sometimes other “first and foremosts” creep into the picture.
First and foremost, I need this new project at work to succeed.
First and foremost, I want clarity around my vocation.
First and foremost, I need this situation to work out (but specifically in the way I think it should.)
First and foremost…
What this priest reminded me—so gently and generously—is the same truth Jesus spoke to Martha as she rushed around while Mary sat quietly at His feet: “Martha, you are worried and anxious about many things. Only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”
It also brought to mind the book Essentialism, which points out that the word priority was never meant to be plural. We’re meant to have one priority, not many.
Similarly, the many “first and foremosts” that crowd my mind and prayer and conversation aren’t bad in themselves, but when they take the place of the true “first and foremost,” they rob me of the truest and best gift of the Lord: His presence, His peace.
At the wedding I attended this weekend, the best man quoted Matthew 6 in his speech:
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
As we enter into this week, let’s seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. You are a beloved daughter (or son!) of God — He has everything for you.
In Christ,
Jane
What I’m loving lately
Weddings <3
This weekend I traveled to Fort Worth to celebrate my beloved friend Jacquelyn and her new husband, Eric! Jac and I met in DC a few years ago, and she is one of the most remarkable, poised, generous, and lovely women I know. It was an absolute joy to witness her committing her life to Eric — who is an incredible, good man. It was my first time in Fort Worth and I had a ball running around, seeing the cows, and two-stepping into the early hours! Please pray for Jacquelyn and Eric, as they kick off this beautiful new chapter of life (in Paris, swoon)!!
Caroline Lunne is one of my favorite substack follows (she’s renovated a little house in Charleston, and speaks so beautifully about grief and faith and joy) - and this post made my heart warm and fuzzy. In it, she reflects on the light of the friendships in her life. I, too, have been so deeply blessed by friends meeting me in all corners of my daily life and this post inspired me to pause and thank the Lord for my friends!
This article in the New York Times had me weeping so please read when you have space to get emo. In it, New York Times readers shared texts from their dads. They range from humorous to emotional to sweet as heck. I’m blessed with an incredible father and love love love seeing the sweet words dads send us. Happy Father’s Day!
The 2024 “Count of Monte Cristo” film
This was my entertainment on my flight home from Texas on Sunday and it was SO good. Truly, phenomenal. As a fan of the 2002 film, I was super impressed by this version. The complex messages around forgiveness, revenge, providence, and faith are resonant. Bonus: it’s in French and stirred up my little dream of learning that glorious language.
So many Matthew 6 songs
I didn’t realize how many of my favorite songs right now reference Matthew 6! I put them into a playlist, here. The Lord keeps bringing me back to these truths, and I’m trying to make the space to rest in them!
Something I’m reflecting on:
I’ve been re-reading parts of The Way, and this statement from “The Will of God” chapter gave me great pause:
Stages: to be resigned to the will of God; to conform to the will of God, to want the will of God; to love the will of God.
I paused on that for a while: where am I? Am I resigned? Conformed? Do I want God’s Will? Do I love it? It might be a fruitful prayer for you, as well, if it resonates.
Prayer intentions
For a friend