Solemnity of All Saints
When I was in Catholic elementary school as a young girl, I remember the teacher one day asking the class who would like to be a saint. I recall that not many, if any, hands were raised in response to that question, and I struggled with it myself. I knew I had the desire to be a saint, but to acknowledge that in front of a class of my peers was just too uncomfortable for me. So I didn’t raise my hand, and I felt badly about it, but was too shy or insecure to admit it. She then went on to explain that if we hoped to go to heaven then we really were hoping to be saints. I think that even many adults have the idea that to be a saint you have to practically be perfect, or at least “very, very holy,” in an unattainable kind of way. That is probably why I was particularly drawn to St Therese of Lisieux, not only because she seemed more real and “human” by the fact that there were photographs of her, including in her childhood, but also because she “achieved” sainthood through the simple way of doing everything with love. I learned that we are all called to be saints and that those who have “died in the Lord” and are sharing in God’s glory are part of the communion of saints, even if they haven’t been canonized.
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Every morning we wake up and get dressed for the day. We consider the weather and the activities we will be doing to guide our clothing selection. In today’s first reading, St. Paul describes how we should be clothed as a follower of Christ. What should we wear, and how do we “put on” these outer garments of Christ to protect us from the challenges we will face?
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today I’m choosing to focus on our first reading; specifically, St Paul’s reference to the Fourth Commandment. As I reflect, I’ll share from an evocative book I’m reading, entitled, Citizens Yet Strangers: Living Authentically Catholic in a Divided America, by Kenneth Craycraft. The Fourth Commandment, according to Church teaching, goes way beyond merely the honoring of our parents and reveals to us that the family is the nucleus of society. God calls each of our families to be communities of love ordered toward him. Today, may we grow in understanding our family’s true identity and may we deepen our commitment to nurture our families to be “intimate communities of life and love.”
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
In this harvest season, we experience the fruitfulness of abundant vegetables in our markets, squirrels gathering fallen acorns and pumpkins decorating our homes and flavoring beverages and desserts. A giant oak tree, pumpkin patch vines, and sunflower plants—each originated from just one seed. God’s creation in nature, gives us abundant examples of the vibrancy of God’s Kingdom—it is living and active and grows.
Feasts of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Saint Paul wrote to his foundling community at Corinth that he was the “least of the apostles.” Yet the New Testament reveals more about Paul, his person, his missions, his struggles, and his writings than all of the others combined.
The word “least” may better apply to Simon & Jude. In the Synoptics (Mark, Matthew, Luke) these two apostles have the dishonor of being listed towards the bottom — just above Judas. But maybe we know more about them than we realize.
Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading, Paul teaches the Ephesians about Christian community. Each of the faithful is a member of the Body of Christ and has a unique role in it.
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
I am always fascinated when we read a list of virtues or a set of instructions for how to live as we do today. In the first reading, Paul “urges” the Ephesians (and all of us) “to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received” (Eph 4:1). Great! Here is a simple checklist, all very clearly and simply laid out for me—Christian living for Dummies. Just do these few things and you’re all set for heaven.
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
I don’t know about you, but I find the passage before us today from Luke very challenging. I have consulted my commentary for help, and the wisdom there is that Jesus is saying that when people take his teachings seriously, as Paul did when he said things like there is no longer Jew or Greek, there will inevitably be divisions, even within families. Some will embrace his Gospel; others will reject it. And such differences will bring pain. I do take that point.
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
In my recent book club our discussion found its way to the idea of integrity – doing the right thing because it is simply the right thing to do. Some say that this can be defined as doing the right thing when no one else is watching. Today’s Gospel reading makes me think of this same idea. Luke talks about the master who goes away and leaves his servant in charge. Even though the master is gone and cannot see what the servant is doing, he expects that the servant is following the master’s expectations and direction. He expects his servant to be a person of integrity.
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Most people are able to recall a time when they excluded others. Most people can also recall a time when they were excluded. These can be among the most poignant and painful memories, especially for kids and young adults. This happens in religion as well. We might remember that after Jesus commanded the crowd to “love you neighbor,” their first response was, ‘who is my neighbor?’ People want to know who they can exclude. This reality is the starting point for our first reading.
Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
We learned recently that our son Kieran is going to be the understudy for Marley’s Ghost at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park production of Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” That got me thinking about today’s Gospel parable.
Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
"May the eyes of your heart be enlightened." —Ephesians 1:18
Today is the Memorial of Sts. Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and companions. They were French missionaries. Much of their ministry was evangelization to the indigenous people in Canada. Eventually, these missionaries were martyred for their faith. What strikes me about them is not only their courage to die for being Christian but that their conviction comes from their eyes being opened to the hope, wealth, and strength that can only come from Christ, especially as they got to know and developed relationships with the indigenous people.
Feast of St. Luke, evangelist
If I had to pick a favorite gospel of the bible, I would pick Luke’s gospel. I think my husband would agree, which is part of the reason we gave our oldest son that name. I mention this because today is the Feast of St. Luke, the author of both the Gospel of Luke as well as the Acts of the Apostles.
So, why would I choose Luke as my favorite gospel? For several reasons, which the New American Bible, Revised Edition, Introduction to this gospel outlines well (see the USCCB website). “No gospel writer is more concerned than Luke with the mercy and compassion of Jesus. No gospel writer is more concerned with…the importance of prayer, or with Jesus’ concern for women.” (Italics mine) Yes, that last one is pretty important to me.
Regarding the mercy and compassion of Jesus, the same Introduction tells us that throughout his gospel Luke calls on us to “identify with the master Jesus, who is caring and tender toward the poor and lowly, the outcast, the sinner, and the afflicted….”
Similarly, Luke’s gospel gives us the beautiful and powerful Canticle of Mary, also known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), which many composers throughout history have set to music.
As you can see, there are numerous reasons I would name Luke’s gospel as my favorite (if I had to pick!) and multiple reasons to be thankful for this Saint who was referred to by Paul as “the beloved physician” as he attended to Paul in his final days of imprisonment.
So, with gratitude for Luke the Evangelist, let us join in today’s entrance antiphon, proclaiming, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation!” (Isaiah 52:7) May God be praised.
—Eileen Miller
Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Today is the feast day of St. Ignatius of Antioch who is considered one of the “Apostolic Fathers”. These leaders were present in the early church immediately following the apostles of Jesus. His connection with St. John the apostle and St. Polycarp (Bishop of Smyrna) provide evidence of St. Ignatius’ important role during this time. It is because of these Christian believers that our Catholic church grew and flourished even amidst the persecution from the Roman Empire.
Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
When Jesus enters your home, everything changes. This statement applies, whether we consider a physical home or the home of your heart. When Jesus enters these spaces, be prepared for a major shift! This is what happened to the pharisee in today’s Gospel; it will happen to us as we offer hospitality to our Lord sincerely and contritely, seeking the transformation that only he can bring.
Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Christ has no body now but mine. He prays in me, works in me, looks through my eyes, speaks through my words, works through my hands, walks with my feet and loves with me here.
—St. Teresa of Avila
Today is the Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila, OCD (also called Saint Teresa of Jesus) who was a Carmelite nun and prominent Spanish mystic and religious reformer. Her teachings and writings are considered so particularly important that she was named the first female Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970. She wrote four books including an autobiography—Story of a Soul, The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection. These have many practical examples about the life of prayer and its stages. Her quote (above) is a reminder to all of us of the transformative journey we are each called to take, becoming one with God, and knowing Jesus is relying on us to be his presence through all we are and do.
Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus warns the crowds today, “It is an evil generation that demands a sign” (Luke 11:29), adding that the only sign he will give is the sign of Jonah. Jonah the prophet fled from God, but became an instrument of God’s glory, in spite of himself — swallowed by a great fish and transported to where he would rather not go — a metaphor for death and rebirth.
Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
The theme I see in both of today’s readings is reordering of norms. In the first reading, St. Paul writes to the Galatians that faith and baptism unites us in Christ. The Galatian Gentiles in baptism also become part of the people of the covenant and Abraham’s descendants, a controversial idea among Jews who saw themselves as the only members of God's people. Paul indicates that the Gospel is for all who accept it. This faith is what unites all believers and removes divisions among them. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” (Galatians 3:28). This reading challenges us to look at what divides us especially in these polarizing times, inspires us to see what unites us, and helps us realize that we have more in common than we think.
Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
In 1968, a third grade teacher in a small Iowa town named Jane Elliot conducted a simple classroom exercise in an effort to help her students understand what discrimination felt like. She separated her class into two groups: blue-eyed children and brown-eyed children. On the first day, the brown-eyed students were informed that they were genetically inferior to the blue-eyed students. Elliot told the brown-eyed students that they were not to play with the blue-eyed students. At recess they were not to use the jungle gym or the swings. They would not be allowed to have seconds at lunch. And instead of drinking straight from the water fountain, they would have to use paper cups. And on the second day of the experiment, Elliot switched the roles. In both cases, the classroom of students swiftly became divided. The “better” children were encouraged to feel superior and given extra incentives while the deprived group were often degraded, blamed for things, or had benefits taken away from them. By the afternoon, the superior children started to taunt and belittle their classmates. Division was inserted into the group and the classroom culture began to crumble.
Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Bill, my husband, had a fun conversation with a friend of his recently in which his friend announced that his youngest child, a son, would soon be working to secure his Ohio driver’s license. With that, Bill’s friend announced, his son would be independent. He could basically take care of himself.
Bill responded, and this is nearly a direct quote: “Forget it, my friend. Once a parent, always a parent. It never ends. Parenting just takes different forms over time.”