October 31, 2015 - Saturday

Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:10-11 NABRE)

One sabbath, Jesus was dining at the home of a prominent Pharisee. Noticing that the guests were choosing seats of honor at the table and in effect their status in the grouping, he tells them a parable about being humble.

He makes the point that humbling ourselves is not only practical and helps us avoid embarrassment, but it is how God wants us to evaluate ourselves, putting others ahead of ourselves.

The banquet scene found only in Luke provides the opportunity for these teachings of Jesus on humility and presents a setting to display Luke’s interest in Jesus’ attitude toward the rich and the poor.*


Today, I will test my own attitude about myself in relation to every other person I encounter. If I discover I think better of myself than I do of anyone, I will reverse my thinking with the sincere hope that my heart will follow.


Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg, who resisted a personal inclination to monastic life in order to do the work you were led to do, pray for us.

October 30, 2015 - Friday

They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Messiah. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 9:4-5 NABRE)

The Isrealites. The children of Israel, a man who was first known as Jacob. The chosen people of God. The creator of all that is, our God, selected this people as his own. What a remarkable gift that is, and it will be true for all times. The adopted children of God became the channel through whom he communicated so much of his Word including his own son, Jesus, the Messiah.

Saint Paul desperately desired that these people, his kin, would come to believe in Jesus.

And what a great gift we have been given: To be included as children of God, we who call ourselves Christians have the main job of sharing this good news! All are welcome to the family of faith and to share in the inheritance!


Today, I will cling to my family--gratefully, joyfully, and peacefully, and I will invite others to join us.


Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez, who found happiness and contentment through simple service and prayer, pray for us.

October 29, 2015 - Thursday

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NABRE)

God loves you.

Nothing in all the universe can change that. No evil could ever change that.


Today, I will thank God for loving me just as I am.


Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem, second-century bishop whose miracles are widely reported, pray for us.

October 28, 2015 - Wednesday

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22 NABRE)

This past weekend, it dawned on me in a new way how important community is for us. I had a simple insight which suddenly deepened my understanding and awareness of the value that community provides. I had a sudden thought that we cannot be truly Christian alone. Christians rely on faith in the context of a community with a purpose, the mission of Jesus Christ. Of course we are individuals, each claiming a unique relationship with God; yet, there is something vital about the community of believers that becomes our fueling station for the mission at hand.

God, in his wisdom, created this community so that we could draw strength from it in order to go out into the world with the good news. The community is also a sign itself of our faith, so that when non-believers see how we act in love, they will find a path to Christ. And in today's passage, we see that the whole Christian community is a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. We are the temple which has its foundation in the apostles and prophets and which has Jesus as the cornerstone.


Today, I will celebrate and pray for the wonderful gift of a vibrant Christian community.


Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles whose lives remind us that holiness does not depend on human merit, culture, personality, effort or achievement, but is entirely God's creation and gift, pray for us.

October 27, 2015 - Tuesday

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. (Romans 8:18 NABRE)

The glory that believers are destined to share with Christ far exceeds the sufferings of the present life. Paul considers the destiny of the created world to be linked with the future that belongs to the believers. As it shares in the penalty of corruption brought about by sin, so also will it share in the benefits of redemption and future glory that comprise the ultimate liberation of God’s people.*

Lord God, thank you sharing with me your Spirit. Knowing that I am already sharing in the first fruits of your promised full freedom, I am energized and encouraged to persevere. When life becomes burdensome, I turn to you and you hear me. You lift me out of my suffering to a place of joy and peace. Lord, even amidst the trials of today, I never cease to find solace whenever I encounter your Spirit. Thank you for that.


Today, I will be grateful for the Spirit of God living in me.


Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza, who used your skills as a preacher to challenge the heresies of your day, pray for us.

October 26, 2015 - Monday

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”
The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17 NABRE)

Many of us struggle with family issues. All of us, probably. Let's stop and rethink how we define family. Certainly blood relates us. No doubt, committed love relates us. But in today's passage we see something greater happening. We see the divine bond. We see family defined by God's Spirit within us!

Just like Jesus, we are children of God. We are related. Our spiritual family means we are joint heirs with Christ to the promise of eternal life.

If you've ever felt alone or lonely. If you've ever struggled with tensions at home. If you've ever wanted the deep love among family that you imagined was possible, turn to God as Jesus did. Call on him because he is our Father. Listen for the quiet voice of his Spirit as he reassures you that you are loved and protected and blessed, even in the most difficult of life's circumstances. And when you least understand why bad things happen, offer up your suffering with the suffering of Jesus on his cross, as a prayer for others who have felt so much pain, anger, and fear that they turn away from the greatest of family gifts.


Today, I will listen for the whisper of the Holy Spirit who leads me as a child of God.


Saint Peter of Alcantara, sixteenth-century Church reformer whose reform began with yourself, pray for us.

October 25, 2015 - Sunday

Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10:51-52 NABRE)

Bartimaeus, the blind man in the story, was physically unable to see. He knew about the miraculous healings Jesus of Nazareth had performed, and so when he heard that Jesus was passing by, he called out to him for help.

Matthew recounts Mark's story, but with two blind men. (Matthew 20:29-34) The cure of the blind men is probably symbolic of what will happen to the disciples, now blind to the meaning of Jesus’ passion and to the necessity of their sharing his suffering. As the men are given sight, so, after the resurrection, will the disciples come to see that to which they are now blind.*

We are all blind in some way to Jesus, and so we can learn from the blind Bartimaeus who called out to Jesus saying, "Master, I want to see." May we have faith enough to ask for sight and courage enough to follow Jesus once we have our sight.


Today, I will celebrate my sight as well as the great gift of faith which I have been given.


Saint Antônio de Sant’Anna Galvão, whose life was a living sign of God's steadfast love, pray for us.

October 24, 2015 - Saturday

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. [So] cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’
He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6-9 NABRE)

God is a patient gardener, always cultivating the ground around us. And we are like fig trees who need tending, but who may in time produce good fruit. The parable of the barren fig tree presents a story about the continuing patience of God with those who have not yet given evidence of their repentance.*

We are called to recognize our own need for God's grace and mercy. Until we do, God waits patiently for us. He is not inactive however. He is continually creating opportunities for us to know him by others around us. Let us choose to grow in God's divine garden and yield the fruit we were meant to produce.


Today, I will pray for patience, remembering how patient God is with me.


Saint Anthony Claret, nineteenth-century missionary, religious founder, social reformer, queen’s chaplain, writer and publisher, archbishop and refugee, known as the "spiritual father of Cuba," pray for us.

October 23 2015 - Friday

At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. (Matthew 11:25 NABRE)

This saying introduces a joyous note into this section of Matthew's gospel. The childlike have accepted Jesus’ preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds. Acceptance depends upon the Father’s revelation, which is granted to those who are open to receive it and refused to the arrogant.*

Jesus, my teacher, thank you for the many ways you teach me. I am grateful for your words that continue to startle and amaze me--fresh and new, as though each reading of them is my first. May the challenge to be childlike draw me in so that I will trust and follow you even in my most difficult moments. Lord God, thank you for not hiding from me the truth of Jesus' words and actions. I am open to receiving it, and I consider openness the greater gift. May all who know even a little about you leave aside arrogance and the trust they have placed in themselves, so that they may be granted acceptance of the truth of Jesus and the salvation it promises.

Today, I will seek to be childlike, accepting Jesus' preaching and the significance of his deeds.


Saint John of Capistrano, patron of judges, pray for us.

October 22, 2015 - Thursday

Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers.
Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy;
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted near streams of water,
that yields its fruit in season;
Its leaves never wither;
whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 NABRE)

Where do we find our joy? I'm not talking about short-lived pleasure that accompanies amusement. I am referring to joy that transcends all of life and which is rooted in hope.

The Psalmist reminds us that joy comes from meditating on God's Word day and night. (I know, not exactly a party, but hang in there with this.)

He emphasizes the importance of meditating constantly on God's Word by explaining how to clear our calendars in order to have the time for God: We should stop taking advice from others who would do us harm, we should stop imitating others who primarily show us how to act wrongly, and we should stop seeking encouragement from those who do not respect our faith in the Lord.

And once we clear our schedules, we are able to invite God into each little moment of the day. We are able to share with him our triumphs and our failures right when they happen! In our confident and constant hope made possible by Jesus, we begin to grow in a relationship with God which inevitably turns us back toward others. And it is in this process of having our new hearts placed back with others that we begin to live as joyful people.

And so, we have access to joy even in discomfort and a fruitful life even in suffering!

We pray for the conversion of those who would do us harm, who embrace bad behavior, and who resist faith in God. We pray that the Lord will bless them as he did Saint Paul, showing them there is no sin bigger than God's mercy. May the Lord show them their own path to his peace and joy.


Today, I will speak with joy to all those who cross my path.


Saint John Paul II, who urged us to “Open wide the doors to Christ,” pray for us.

October 21, 2015 - Wednesday

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. (Luke 12:39-40 NABRE)

Jesus talks to us in the gospel of Luke about the time we are living in right now. Though he speaks in parables, he is talking about the time between his ascension to the Father, which has already happened, and his return, which has not yet happened. He is speaking to each one of us in this very moment!

Jesus reminds us that he will be returning and that we should be living as if it could happen today. He tells us to be prepared, to be vigilant, and to be faithful servants as we wait.

The implications of this are many. They are played out in the encounters and situations we face throughout our days. But really, Jesus is encouraging us to live in such as way that gives honor to God and does not succumb to weaknesses of the flesh.

As Saint Paul tells us, "Therefore, sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires." (Romans 6:12) Christians have been released from the grip of sin, but sin endeavors to reclaim its victims.*


Today, I will seek to constantly remember that divine grace has claimed me and identified me as someone who is alive for God's interests.*


Saint Hilarion, celebrated as the founder of monasticism in Palestine, pray for us.

October 20, 2015 - Tuesday

Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36 NABRE)

An eternal perspective is helpful as we live each moment of this life. Jesus reminds us to keep a close watch for his return. He tells us to live as if he were about to arrive!

I like to picture how busy we get at my house in the last few hours before party guests arrive, cooking and cleaning, decorating and attending to final details! And then, driving down our street, we see the guests approaching. At this point, nothing else we may have meant to do will be done. It is too late. It is the appointed time.

And so, keep watch and pray, live as if Jesus were about to arrive at your house! And when you pray, ask God for the strength to endure the difficulties of each day as you yourself prepare to welcome back our guest, our living redeemer, our Lord.


Today, I will pray for strength of spirit, I will live in joyful hope, and I will watch and pray for Jesus' return.


Saint Paul of the Cross, whose devotion to Christ's passion nurtured compassion and supported a preaching ministry that touched the hearts of many listeners, pray for us.

October 19, 2015 - Monday

Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Luke 12:15 NABRE)

Jesus' words here do not say we should avoid having possessions, nor does he say that wealth is bad. Look at how he focuses on our hearts, our attitudes. He tells us to guard against greed. Now that is a challenge!

Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching me to turn my heart to you and not to money--I seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. I do not worry about all these things around me, these possessions. I am confident in your desire and ability to provide me with all I need so that I might do my small part in building your kingdom here on Earth. Jesus, keep me mindful of your great love and mercy, so that I might share the same with others.


Today, I will look closely at my own mindset regarding my possessions, seeking to put aside my greed.


Saint Isaac Jogues, Jean de Brébeuf and Companions, eight Jesuit martyrs of North America who were canonized in 1930, pray for us.

October 18, 2015 - Sunday

Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:43b-45 NABRE)

Ambition is one of those things we struggle with as Christians in western society. Our core societal beliefs, it seems, are grounded in the so-called virtues of success and getting ahead.

Jesus confronts that mindset in today's passage with a counter-intuitive perspective for the Apostles as well as for us. In the simplest terms, Jesus calls us to be servants to others. He tells us that greatness and the opportunity to be first is bestowed on the person who willingly becomes a slave to others.

And Jesus lived this philosophy as an example for us. He served others. He even served us by suffering and dying on our behalf.

When we find ourselves wanting to ask the Lord to raise us up to a place of honor above others, we should hear these words of Jesus ringing in our hearts. Instead, let us ask for the vision to see how Jesus is asking us to serve others in our days.


Today, I will gratefully welcome each opportunity to serve.


Saint Luke, writer of the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, pray for us.

October 17, 2015 - Saturday

As it is written, “I have made you father of many nations.” [Abraham] is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist.
He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “Thus shall your descendants be.” (Romans 4:17-18 NABRE)

Nothing is impossible with God. Abraham was an old man, yet he became father to many nations, indeed a spiritual father to us all, because he believed.

Saint Paul, in his letter to the Romans, which is part of God's Word, recognizes it was this faith of Abraham, more than anything else, which pleased God.

And so we have these role models, these older brothers, these spiritual parents, these people we name as saints. They show us how to live in such a way that God is first. They are not blind fools who believe in a man-made deity, who believe in a fairy tale, or who seek imaginary comfort in sadness. Not at all! They experienced God first-hand! They are changed by their experience and cannot deny what they know and remember. They are witnesses throughout time and in all sorts of different circumstances.

We have Abraham. We have Peter and Paul. We have Ignatius of Antioch. We have John Paul II. And this Sunday, we will add the first married couple to be canonized together, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux (October 1), Louis Martin (1823-1894) and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin (1831-1877). We have so many role models, so many older sisters and brothers to look up to. And they all point us to the truth which they knew first by faith and then by experience.

And we are today's saints! We confess our faith. We experience God in our days. We struggle in peace. We share our stories. We endure in joy. We change hearts by example. We pray with confidence. We love by deciding.


Today, I will be a saint, a role model, confessing my faith and sharing my experience of God with others. I ask in prayer that you join me!


Saint Ignatius of Antioch, first century bishop who wrote seven letters (including a letter to the Romans) on his way to Rome to face his martyrdom in 107 AD, pray for us.

October 16, 2015 - Friday

Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6-7 NABRE)

In today's passage, Jesus tells a crowd not to fear the inevitable persecutions of men that will come when they acknowledge what they know about Jesus. Jesus is exhorting the crowd to be courageous even when under pressure from others. He tells them God will protect them. Jesus also warns them to fear the persecution of God if they deny what they know about Jesus.

Jesus concludes his exhortation with these words, "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:9-10)


Today, I will acknowledge Jesus as God's son who is worthy of all my praise.


Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, who said, "I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus," pray for us.

October 15, 2015 - Thursday

If you, LORD, keep account of sins,
Lord, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness
and so you are revered. (Psalm 130:3-4 NABRE)

At some point during the Last Supper, Jesus said to [Thomas], “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [faith in] me." (John 14:6)

Saint Paul teaches that, "all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God." But, he continues, all of us, "are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24)

Put a little more simply, Jesus repaired mankind's broken relationship with God for all time. Because he did what he did, we can all experience an eternal relationship with God. He became the means by which God expressed his forgiveness to all who seek him in faith.


Today, I will revere God because of his mercy and I will be confident that the experience of God’s mercy leads me to a greater sense of him.* 


Saint Teresa of Avila, virgin, Doctor of the Church, and patron of those who suffer with headaches, pray for us.

October 14, 2015 - Wednesday

My soul rests in God alone,
from whom comes my salvation.
God alone is my rock and salvation,
my fortress; I shall never fall. (Psalm 62:2-3 NABRE)

What a wonderful song to sing! It resonates in my heart. I need rest, protection, and the hope of salvation. God alone provides these.

To turn entirely to God for rest is something I can do! It means I recognize the Lord as the one who can actually meet my deep need for real rest.

To turn to God for protection against all sorts of threats gives me strength to endure circumstances I could never otherwise handle.

To trust in God and his promise of salvation is a constant reminder of why it is important and valuable to endure, to believe, and to have faith.


Today, I will praise the Lord for his faithfulness toward me, providing rest, protection, and hope.


Saint Callistus I, the first pope (except for Peter) to be commemorated as a martyr in the earliest martyrology of the Church, pray for us.

October 13, 2015 - Tuesday

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen (Romans 1:25 NABRE)

When Paul wrote these words to the believers in Rome, he was describing our inclination to resist God, to push him aside in favor of our own desires, preferences, and interests. At some point, the faithful person should experience a moment in which he or she consciously chooses right over wrong. Clearly, at other times, we choose wrong over right; yet even if that becomes our routine, even if it evolves into our lifestyle, God remains.

God is faithful and will never say no to an honest and humble heart who turns back to him asking for his help and mercy. Like any loving parent, he waits for that moment, his focus is on that moment, his joy lives most completely in that moment. Let us remember who we are, created, and who God is, creator. Let us turn to the Lord, turn back to him if necessary, and seek closeness with him.


Today, I will look at my own interests, to see better those areas of my life that have become idols which lead me to revere the creature rather than the creator.


Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, whose life centered around the Christian triad of prayer, penance and charity, pray for us.

October 12, 2015 - Monday

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah,
as on the day of Massah in the desert. (Psalm 95:7C-8 NABRE)

Meribah is a place where the Israelites quarreled with God. Massah is the place where they put God to the trial.*

Why, even when we see the works of the Lord, do we test God, as though one more sign, one more special favor would prove to us that God is real, that our faith is warranted, that Jesus really did open a door for us back into relationship with the Father?

I pray today for anyone who resists the inclination to believe. I pray for the hurt they have known. I pray for healing in their hearts. I pray for honesty and conversion so that all of God's creation will praise him, more than merely acknowledging him at the appointed time.


Today, I will pray for all people of good will, especially those who have lost faith along the way, that they will find a path back through pain and fear and anger and pride and self-determination and cynicism to relationship with the one true God.


Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, who worked in many different places but always with the zeal to help people know God’s saving love and compassion, pray for us.