In the past few months, depending on where we live, we have been warned and cautioned to prepare for life-threatening storms and impending destruction. And in some places, disaster has come without warning, shaking the very ground of people's existence. Warnings are helpful. Yet often, unless they are direct, firm, and even stern, we can miss and fail to heed them. Today's Gospel passage is a difficult one to read, filled with the language of prophetic warning and judgment. It seems foreign and remote. Even as I read it, I find myself skimming; how do Jesus' words apply to my daily life? I notice in me a very human tendency to avoid His harsher pronouncements and prefer His softer, more tender words. But I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, training in righteousness." So, like it or not, these ancient words are also intended for me. The unusually harsh words of judgment reflect God's love for us, and His desire that none of us perish. So, what do we have in common with the three Galilean towns to which Jesus announces doom? (Luke 10:13-16) Jesus visited these places, and they witnessed His words and deeds. He proclaimed the Kingdom and worked miracles. They saw, heard, and touched the Messiah in person and yet many were unresponsive and refused His offer of the Kingdom of God. Christ is also truly present to us in the Church, the Eucharist, and in the living Word of God. Am I open and receptive to Christ’s presence as He comes to me daily, and am I responding to this fullness of grace and truth with faith and zeal? This isn't just an account of some towns that didn't get it right. These are the words of a loving God who wants to remind us that we have been given everything in Christ and to shake us from any complacency or hardness of heart. [bctt tweet="We have been given everything in Christ."] Lord, thank You for your warning, which in Your love is intended to bring me safely home to you in Heaven. Come to our towns and countries, our families and our homes, and help us to welcome Your kingdom into our lives. Debra Herbeck, a Jewish convert to the Church, has worked extensively in youth and women’s ministry. She has directed Pine Hills Girls Camp for the past 32 years, is the founder and Director of the Be Love Revolution, and also helps lead a ministry called i.d.916. She has written a number of books that can be found here. Debra and her husband Peter live in Ann Arbor, Michigan and are the parents of four children and five adorable grandchildren.

Today is the Feast of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish Nun who died 79 years ago on October 5, 1938. She was a faithful religious sister who lived the Consecrated Life with the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw, Poland. In 1931, Saint Faustina had an experience in prayer where Jesus raised one hand to bless her and He pointed His other hand towards Himself, where two large rays flowed out from His Pierced Heart. She wrote about the experience in her diary saying, “In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy.” Jesus then instructed her to paint an image of Himself with the inscription, “Jesus, I trust in you!” (source) I invite you to pray those simple, yet powerful words with Saint Faustina today. Look up the image of Divine Mercy and then imagine yourself being in front of Jesus with Saint Faustina. Can you let yourself be vulnerable and share your heart? With confidence, bring your weakness, pain, burdens, sins, and darkness to Jesus, saying with Saint Faustina, “Jesus, I trust in you! Jesus, I trust in you! Jesus, I trust in you!” In silence, gaze intently at the Lord. Notice and name the fears which may be overwhelming your soul. Then notice the great joy of receiving the gift of His merciful love. Be overwhelmed by His joy. Be strengthened by His joy. Because the prophet Nehemiah reminds us today, “[R]ejoicing in the LORD must be your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) [bctt tweet="Be overwhelmed by His joy. Be strengthened by His joy."] Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. You can find out more about her here.

I don’t know if you have a toddler or if you’ve ever spent much time around them, but boy, it is just one long negotiation. Am I right? You ask them to do one thing, they make up an excuse as to why it needs to be done a different way and when you disagree, they throw a fit. The same can also be said about teenagers. And, well, us. How often do you negotiate with God on His timing? Not now, God, I just started a new job. Not now, God, I just had a baby. Not now, God, my spouse just lost his job. Not now, God, we just lost everything. Let me translate all that for you. What we’re really saying is, “Not now, God, I don’t trust you. Plus, your plans are crazy anyway.” Believe me, I’ve shared those words (plus a few more) with God on a number of occasions. We just want life to be on our timeline, don’t we? We’re like the mom at the end of the day who just wants to get through her ‘to-do’ list before calling it a night. Yet, God doesn’t want what’s left. He wants it all. He wants us to listen to His plan for our lives, follow Him with a gentle obedience and proclaim, with joy, His message of redemption, mercy and love. He actually calls us out and says, "Follow me." (Luke 9:59) Thanks for the low expectations, Lord. But you know what the really cool part is? He believes in us. He believes we can say yes, even in the direst of circumstances. His promises aren’t full of tantrums and eye rolls. They’re full of truth and eternity. [bctt tweet="God doesn’t want what’s left. He wants it all. // @kwhitaker96"] The next time you feel like you just can’t do it anymore, take a glance up at that crucifix. His arms are outstretched in love, just for you. Kathryn Whitaker is a former agricultural communications consultant turned mom and freelance graphic designer. She's a fifth-generation Texan who found the love of her life on a blind date at Texas A&M. She and her husband, Scott, have six kids, teen to toddler. Find out more about her here.

"Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." (Zechariah 8:23) I recently had a friend visit me from out of town. We had a lovely weekend with a vigil Mass, dinner with friends, and hiking, but one conversation stuck with me. I am not sure what I did or said, but she told me she was impressed with how I shared my faith openly. I’m not a perfect Catholic, but my faith is an integral part of my identity. I’m not a good evangelizer, I don’t have good apologetics, and I am definitely not a theologian—my faith is just part of who I am. I mention it in conversation. I toss church photos into my Instagram. I never thought I was doing anything extraordinary. I just show this part of myself like I show other parts of myself: what I am watching, what I am listening to, where I’m traveling, and you know, the Catholic stuff just flows right into it. But it is extraordinary. Each of us bears witness to the unique presence of faith in our lives. Just as our journeys in the world are vastly different but still part of the human experience, our journeys with God are as varied and valuable to the body of Christ. Your relationship with God is vital. People need to see it and hear it and experience it through their relationships with you. Just as the Trinity exists in eternal, perfect relationship, so too our experience can exist within our relationship with God. Invite people into that relationship. [bctt tweet="Each of us bears witness to the unique presence of faith in our lives. // @br1gid"] Wear your faith on your sleeve, so that those around you know they can tug at your garment and be led to the Lord. Brigid Hogan is a midwestern graduate student who finds peace in lakes, the Mass, and fiction when she isn’t ensconced in schoolwork. Find out more about her here.

Today is the Memorial of the Guardian Angels, and I have a story to tell you. It might sound crazy, but I promise it's true. One night when I was a little girl I awoke from a terrible nightmare. I had dreamed that the Sandman was standing next to my bed, wanting to suck my breath away. I can still remember what he looked like—a monster made from sand, his body continuously falling apart and remaking itself. The black holes where his eyes and mouth should have collapsed and re-opened as the sand shifted. The evil that poured out of him was stifling. I woke from the dream frozen with fear. I was certain that the Sandman still stood at my bedside. A perfectly logical child, I decided that I would trick the Sandman into believing I was already dead so he wouldn't have to bother with killing me. I lay on my side, a tense, terrified little girl trying not to cry or breathe. I faced the wall and looked up at the Rosary that hung above my bed, and I prayed. I prayed and I prayed. And then out of the darkness above my body came a white, translucent hand. It touched the tip of my shoulder and on that spot I felt a warmth travel through my body like a ripple over still water. As it spread, my muscles relaxed and my fear dissipated. By the time it reached the tips of my toes I was fine. The monster was gone, and I slept peacefully. I knew it was my Guardian Angel. These many years since I have carried that experience with me, serving as a reminder of who is at my side, ready to come to my aid. When I am driving around completely lost, I call on my Guardian Angel to help me find my destination. When I am emotionally overwhelmed and I don't know how to pray, I call on my Guardian Angel to pray with, for, and over me. When my husband is out of town and I lie in bed figuring out how I will save all seven of my children in case of a house fire, intruder, or the zombie apocalypse, I remember that hand that has brought me so much peace. [bctt tweet="When I am overwhelmed, I ask my Guardian Angel to pray with, for, + over me. - @bonnieengstrom"] God in His Goodness has given us each a Guardian Angel. They protect us from the prowling devil and they guide us towards God. And sometimes they bring comfort to very scared little girls. Thanks be to God. Bonnie Engstrom is a writer, baker, speaker, and homemaker. She, her husband, and six children live in central Illinois, and her son’s alleged miraculous healing through the intercession of Venerable Fulton Sheen was submitted to the Vatican for Sheen’s beatification. Bonnie pretends she has a green thumb, bakes a fantastic chocolate chip cookie, loves naps and chai tea, and blogs. You can find out more about her here.

Yes, ma’am. That’s what you say, preferably with a smile. If you can’t manage a smile, at least don’t roll your eyes or sigh heavily, no matter what you’re asked to do. Set the table? Yes, ma’am. Fold these towels? Yes, ma’am. Snap these beans and pull those weeds? Yes, ma’am. Yes, ma’am in my family meant respect. I can’t quite picture how the scene from today’s Gospel reading might have played out at my grandma’s house with my sister and me. “Go on out and work in the vineyard.” Of course, we’d have said yes, ma’am! But what if we didn’t? What if we refused her request to her face? She called it “acting ugly,” and we all knew what she meant even though she never told us. If we looked like we might argue back, she’d raise her eyebrows and say, “Are y’all acting ugly?” That was normally all it took. We straightened up and did what she asked, and no one mentioned it again. The second son in today’s Gospel would fit right in with the polite, face-saving, Southern culture of my childhood. He tells his father, “Yes, sir,” and even though he ends up not following through, everyone is satisfied for the moment. But the first son, ornery boy, tells his father straight out that he will not go and do as he’s told. (Matthew 21:28-29) His father must have been furious! How dare his son embarrass him by defying him that way? We aren't told what happens to make the sons change their minds. It’s easy to imagine the second son’s situation. How many times do we say “yes” with every good intention? Then life gets busy, or we forget, or a child gets sick or a car breaks down and we just can’t meet the obligation after all. But what should we make of the first son, the one who refused and then later decided to show up? He was rude to his father! Yet he was the one who did right, because he changed his mind and followed his father’s instructions. Jesus is probably not giving us a pass on good manners, here . . . but this story reminds us that what we say is only part of the picture. What we do matters, too. And if we catch ourselves “acting ugly” in the face of an unpleasant task, we can always change our minds and do the right thing. [bctt tweet="What we say is only part of the picture. What we do matters, too. // @dere_abbey"] Lord, help me to both say and do "yes" to what you ask of me. Abbey Dupuy writes her life as a homeschooling mama of four frequently barefoot children. She muses about imperfect parenting, practicing gratitude, and celebrating the liturgical year with her young family on her blog. In her spare time, she enjoys running, gardening, coffee, and cookbooks, not usually at at the same time. You can find out more about her here.

I recently had a friend remind me to “protect my heart.” It’s hard for me to do that—I like to wear my heart of my sleeve. I’m single, and I am all too willing to hand my heart away the minute I have a crush on someone. Today’s reading provides a blueprint for how to protect my heart, the same way God and His Angels protect the holy city of Jerusalem: by centering God in my heart and centering my heart in Him. Jerusalem is in glory, the Lord is within the walls, but the city is surrounded with fire. (Zechariah 2:9) I need to let my Guardian Angel circle the bounds of my heart so God can encircle it with fire, to protect His Glory within it. The city isn’t hidden away, under the bushel. The city is ringed with fire! The city is shining, drawing people toward it and allowing them to see the glory of the Lord inside. How can I treat my heart the same way? Fire draws a lot of attention, but the attention isn’t for the ends of attention by itself. That fire draws attention to the most important center—the glory of the Lord within. Surrounding my heart with fire isn’t about fear or isolation, but rather that I detach myself from expectations, making room for vulnerability while also establishing boundaries for my relationships. All of this, too, is with the Lord at the center because He is the glory within my heart and should be the glory in all my relationships as well. Don’t hide your heart away. But don’t give it away to people, either. Give your heart to God. Whether you are single, dating, or married, your heart shouldn’t be centered in humans or worldly concerns. Protect your heart by giving it wholly to the Lord. Pray this novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus this fall. Ask Him to encircle your heart with His fire. [bctt tweet="Protect your heart by giving it wholly to the Lord. // @br1gid"] Brigid Hogan is a midwestern graduate student who finds peace in lakes, the Mass, and fiction when she isn’t ensconced in schoolwork. Find out more about her here.

We often forget there's a war being waged all around us. An easy-to-dismiss, largely unseen war between good and evil. Yet we're smack dab in the middle of this epic battle as we speak, and it's a battle being fought for priceless territory: our eternal souls. The good news is that the good guys, whose feast we celebrate today, are forever on our side. Angels and archangels, at this very moment, are fighting tirelessly and unceasingly for the good of our souls. Our culture often depicts angels as cutesy winged beings. But the reality, written throughout sacred Scripture, is a far departure from sweet little cherubs. Angels are powerful, breathtaking, awe-inspiring spiritual beings created in the image of God. They're perfected in holiness and bid to do God's will—as messengers, protectors, guardians, and warriors. We find them in action from the first pages of Scripture right to the very last: guarding the entrance to the garden of Eden and the empty tomb of our Lord and Savior. Bringing news and direction to the prophets like Daniel. Ministering to Jesus in the garden and setting captives like Saint Paul free from prison. Today we especially venerate the mighty three who Scripture identifies by name: Gabriel the Messenger, Raphael the Healer, and Michael, Chief of the Archangels and personal combatant of Satan. They enjoy the privilege of dwelling in Heaven, free from all evil, yet these Archangels still willingly dive into the mess of humanity to come to our aid and meet evil face to face in our defense. Why? Because they see, heaps more clearly than we do, the infinite value of each soul. They know that whatever divides, whatever confuses, whatever impedes spiritual progress, Satan is behind these things. He wants, in his pride, to desecrate the beauty and goodness of creation, to stamp out whatever carries the image and likeness of God, since he himself is a desecrated image of God. Satan—along with all the angels he dragged along with him when they made their decision to no longer serve God—now particularly seeks to deceive the very creation God Himself chose to become: the human person. But God's valiant Archangels fight for the opposite. They guide and assist us on the battleground of Earth in hopes that each and every divinely crafted soul might ultimately join them in the heavenly realm of eternal joy and happiness and goodness and light. Let's remember that we can always call on these Angels in a moment of need. If we but say the word, the power of Heaven will be instantly at our side, helping to strengthen and defend our souls in the heat of battle until the day we are safely home. Pray the Saint Michael prayer with me today for the protection of all souls, and thank God for the gift of these heavenly helpers. [bctt tweet="The angels see, heaps more clearly than we do, the infinite value of each soul. // @PosImperfect"] Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, mom, writer and sometimes soldier whose real passion is equal parts faith and chocolate. You can find out more about her here.

Good King Wenceslaus looked out on the Feast of Stephen. When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even . . . No, I haven't lost my mind—I do know what month it is, and I'm usually in the "No Christmas Music until sometime in December Camp," but today I'm going to make an exception because it is, in fact, the feast of Saint Wenceslaus and well, that's the only song I know about the guy. If you're like me, you can really sing out on those first few lines and then the rest just gets lost in some good-natured humming and jumping in when you can figure out the next word before the song moves on. In fact, up until a few years ago, I had no idea that the song was even referring to a real person. If you don't mind the song being stuck in your head the rest of the day take a moment and go read all the lyrics—they tell the story of a good King looking out his window on a stormy, snowy night and setting off with his page to bring food and warmth to a poor man he sees gathering firewood in the winter storm. The good King seems to have taken today's Old Testament reading to heart as we're reminded that those of us who have sown much, drank much, eaten much and who have clothed ourselves have done nothing and received nothing if we do not do things for God and only keep these things for ourselves. (Haggai 1:6) When we keep our goods only to ourselves, we put our "earnings" into a bag full of holes and hold on to nothing, but when we give we gain everything. Today let's remember that our belongings, our food, our drink, our earnings do not belong to us alone—they are tools given to us by God to bless others in His name. Let us not be afraid to set out as Saint Wenceslaus did, unafraid and bursting with generosity to bless another, as his song reminds us that those of us who bless the poorest among us will find blessing ourselves. How can you share your blessings today? Is there a friend or family member in your life who is hurting? Can you reach out to them in love? [bctt tweet="When we give we gain everything."] Molly Walter is the Blog Manager for Blessed is She, a Catholic convert, wife and mother to two children on Earth and four babies called home to Jesus. She has a deep love of her faith, her family, literature, handcrafts, gardening, and Star Wars. When not working full time outside the home or wrangling her next family adventure, she blogs about all the good things in life. You can find out more about her here.

My husband and I recently did a night away from our two young children. We found a hotel deal online, took an Uber into downtown, and had a nice little getaway. We were less than 20 minutes from home, and gone for less than 24 hours, but that didn’t stop me from packing four outfits and a bathing suit. Because I wanted to be prepared! I am a planner. I like to look ahead and be prepared for all possible scenarios. I make lists; I write everything down in my calendar. I plan our meals for the week and buy exactly what I will need. I plan a schedule for each day and I stick to it. My diaper bag is full of everything we might need for an outing. I pack four different outfits for one overnight. I find comfort in being prepared, in being in control. It’s fine to plan ahead and be prepared. And it’s even virtuous to responsibly carry out your duties for the things God has placed in your care. But what happens when God calls you out to someplace new and bids you to leave all your comforts behind? What happens when He asks you to give up your plans and rely solely on His provision? Like the Twelve in today’s Gospel who are sent out and commanded to "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic." (Luke 9:3) The Christian life requires trust. We can’t always be in control. At some point, the Lord will lead us far beyond our comfort zone and ask that we rely on Him and Him alone. It’s not a matter of if, but when. The Lord has never asked me to pack lightly, but He has asked me to trust Him with issues of infertility, difficult job transitions, the health of a child, and I’m sure many more things to come. It may feel terrifying, but beautiful things happen when we surrender control and learn to trust. When the disciples stepped out in trust, they were able to do mighty things for God’s Kingdom. We can believe that when our turn comes, He will use us mightily for His Kingdom too. Find a few moments today to pray this Litany of Trust. Use it to surrender your life to Jesus. [bctt tweet="It may feel terrifying, but beautiful things happen when we surrender control + learn to trust."] Anna Coyne is a Saint Paul native, wife, mother, and convert to the Catholic faith. When not chasing after her two young children you can probably find her teaching piano lessons, knitting, tripping over wooden train sets, or writing. Find out more about her here.

When I was a new youngish mother I craved recognition and validation that what I did was important. I don’t mean I just sort of wanted it (that is still me today). I used to crave it. Motherhood is one of the prototypical self-sacrificial vocations, and early in my parenting life I craved to be recognized, and even honored, for those sacrifices. I became a parent for the first time when I was finishing up my coursework for my PhD, and I was pregnant with my second when I donned the fancy robe and funny looking cap, and walked across that stage diploma in hand. I could have been teaching at universities or colleges but instead I was teaching in my home. I was professor of the preschool and playgroup. And there was no recognition anywhere for anything that I did. Most people I interact with daily didn’t even know I have a graduate degree. No one told me how smart I was or what a great job I was doing, or how noble it was to give up teaching at a university to change diapers. My work was silent and invisible. And it was really really hard. It was harder and lonelier that I could have imagined. I look at today’s readings and I see the model that we are given in the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. When Jesus begins His preaching after His obedience to her at the wedding at Cana, His mother follows silently behind! Early in my parenting years I would have seen it as harsh that Jesus does not acknowledge her before a crowd as He preached. But it isn’t. Motherhood is about taking a child, loving him, setting him on his way, and being his biggest supporter even into adulthood. The need for recognition for our sacrifices fades as we see our work and efforts and love bloom in the lives of our children, and Our Lady put her Son's mission in the front of her heart even at the Cross. Many of you are not mothers, but we are all Her daughters. Mary still stands at a distance loving us and supporting us in our endeavors, parenting, suffering with us, and more. Jesus gave us His mother to love. We are adopted brothers and sisters of Christ. As He says, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." (Luke 8:21) He validates that fraternity we are intimately a part of. And Mary, who was the best at hearing God's word and acting on it, is our Queen Mother. Mary stands apart in silent and invisible support for us all. Not seeking recognition, but only seeking our success, as we strive to know and love Her son. In whatever station of life we find ourselves, may we grow to be more like her, all the while feeling her loving and supportive presence. Do you seek validation and recognition for your sacrifices? Make a hidden sacrifice today in Honor of Our Blessed Mother and in the hopes that we can all grow to be more like her. [bctt tweet="Mary put her Son's mission in the front of her heart even at the Cross."] MaryRuth Hackett is a full-time wife and mother doing her best to teach her four children to love God and country. You can find out more about her here.

It’s not fair! How many of us stopped saying this aloud but still secretly grumble it under our breath? I was once riding in a friend's car when I noticed I was really disappointed. I was really looking forward to chatting and spending time. It was like my friend had two tasks: driving and exacting some kind of unspoken law on the other drivers. Hanging out with me was not one of the tasks. My friend spoke at length about the person in the car who cut us off, and then later spoke about how the driver deserved to be pulled over by the police. Tailgaters also received a tongue-lashing, and maybe even windshield wiper fluid from our car. I could not help but wonder what does all this serve? The only thing I saw was that we exchanged an opportunity for a nice afternoon for the pollution of an ire for justice. Although those of us reading this devotion may not use windshield wiper fluid as a weapon to restore fairness, this example could easily be transposed. Do I allow my sense of fairness to cloud my judgment while reacting to something on social media? Do I judge the person in the grocery store for not seeing me? Do I roll my eyes at someone’s behavior in Church? But what does it accomplish? Only God is all knowing. Only God knows what is going on in that person's heart. The Gospel declares in no uncertain terms that our judgments may not be on target, “the first will be last and the last will be first.” (Matthew 20:16) So what do we do? I think the First Reading gives us a tremendous insight, “Seek the Lord while he may be found.” (Isaiah 55:6) How do we know when Our Beloved Lord is present? Our readings give us sure-bet indications: mercy, generosity, compassion, kindheartedness. These are the indications of the “fairness” of the Kingdom of God. It is measured by love. Now let’s be clear, I am not one to say there are no rules. Anyone who knows me knows I love rules and checklists. But I pray we will always be ready to allow the Lord to recalibrate or even replace our judgmentalism with His way. The Gospel is clear in showing that we can either step into God’s logic where the last will be first, or we can stand outside as a judge, reaping the bitter fruits of isolation, anger, resentment, and windshield wiper fluid. Let's choose His way today. [bctt tweet="Step into God’s logic where the last will be first. // @SrMariaKim"] Sister Maria Kim Bui is a Daughter of Saint Paul, women religious dedicated to evangelization in and through the media. She is originally from Tempe, AZ, spent most of her fourteen years in religious life in the northeast, and is part of a bilingual evangelization team of sisters serving in Texas. Find out more about her here.

On my very first retreat with high school students a beautiful image entitled "The Sower" mysteriously appeared on the cover of my binder. To this day I have no idea how it ended up there, but the picture accompanied me throughout my career as a youth minister. The pierced hand of the Risen Christ, seeds flying out from between His fingers, reminded me that Jesus was the Sower; I had only to walk beside Him and do what He did. But rather than be consoled by His invitation to walk together through ministry and life, I worried over the birds that landed on the path and pecked away at the freshly planted seeds. I despaired over the heat of the day when it zapped my newly sprouted seedlings. I wrestled with the weeds that threatened to choke my efforts. I lived backwards. I spent a lot of time in the past, wondering what I could have done differently to help that teen understand her infinite value, what I should have said to that guy who made me feel so small, why that relationship didn’t work out. While I stood unmoving on the path, stuck in my head and stuck in my past, Jesus pressed on. The parable in today's Gospel reminds me of the prayer of Saint Padre Pio. "My past, O Lord, to Your mercy. My present to Your love. My future to Your providence." (source) With Christ, we don’t have to worry about what lies behind. If there’s a sin of your past that causes you to wince with remembrance, confess it. If it’s a desire unrealized, ask Him again. Whatever causes you to look back, look instead to Jesus who is forever walking with you and share it with Him. Bring the pain of the past to Jesus in this present moment. You will be met with only love and understanding. Only then can we move forward, always forward, with trust and confidence. [bctt tweet="With Christ, we don’t have to worry about what lies behind. // @thebethdavis"] Beth Davis is the Director of Ministry Advancement for Blessed is She. She served as a youth minister for eleven years. She has a heart for teaching women about developing an intimate relationship with Jesus and speaking hope to weary souls. You can find out more about her here

I must admit: I love a straight-shooter. Now, I’m not talking about people who are cruel or careless with their words. But when someone who loves me has the courage to call me on my stuff, I honestly appreciate their candor. I guess that’s why I’m attracted to holy people who speak their minds, like Mother Angelica, or Saint Teresa of Calcutta, among others. My love for the real and the raw is why I chuckled as I read today’s First Reading: “Man!” I thought. “Saint Paul is bringing the smackdown again!” Indeed, he was laying out the truth in his first letter to Timothy as he declared that anyone who disagreed with or taught anything other than Christ’s teachings was arrogant and stupid. But wait—he wasn’t finished yet—Saint Paul further said they’re envious, rivalrous, insulting, suspicious, grating, corrupt, and, basically, using religion to puff up their egos as well as their money bags. It’s easy for me to smugly condemn those proud and silly people who twist or reject Jesus’ teachings for their own gain until . . . I sit in the quiet with the words on the page and ask myself: have I ever used my walk with Jesus as an opportunity for notoriety or feelings of self-righteousness or accomplishment? Do I treat Him like a glorified Genie-in-a-bottle Who, if I do just the right things or say just the right prayers, will grant my every wish? Do I attend Mass or volunteer my time primarily to feel proud of myself for checking the “good Catholic” boxes with my deeds, or am I motivated by love for the One Who first loved me? Sadly, I’m having a hard time remembering the last time I sat contentedly with my Lord and just talked to Him like a friend, not expecting to receive anything in return. And I’m not sure when the last time I sat and humbly listened was, either. Thanks be to God, there is hope. As Saint Paul tells Timothy, we can be content with the simple things. We truly can “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness” in this life. (Timothy 6:11) Saint Paul doesn’t promise that we will always get it right. But he implores us to keep going. We must keep competing for the faith. We must keep seeking the One Who waits for each of us, His loving arms opened as wide as the Cross. When was the last time you had a meaningful heart-to-heart encounter with Jesus? Find a pocket of quiet time and humbly tell Him what's on your mind. He will neither reject nor abandon you. Trust in Him. [bctt tweet="Am I motivated by love for the One Who first loved me? // @RealCatholicMom"] Heather Renshaw is a speaker, writer, and uplifter on a mission to love and serve God with her husband and five children in the unchurched Pacific NW. She loves a good iced coconut milk latte and the silence of the Adoration chapel. You can learn more about her here.

I wonder if Matthew felt unworthy. I wonder if he thought twice when Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Scripture tells us, “[Matthew] got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9) But did he hesitate? Did he wonder why, against all cultural and societal standards, Jesus wanted to spend time with him? As I reflect upon the call of Saint Matthew, I think about where the Lord has asked me to follow Him in my own life. At times, I have felt unworthy of His call. Me, Lord? You want me to do this? Surely there must be someone better suited, someone holier to do what You ask. But the truth is this: God pours His graces upon those who answer when He calls. God will be with you in His will for you. Matthew the tax collector and sinner is now a Saint. We are all called to this radical transformation, sisters. We are all sinners, called to be Saints. Where is He calling you in this season of your life? What is He calling you out of, and perhaps more importantly, what is He calling you into? In his Letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul urges us “to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1) This beautiful reading reminds us that we are given different spiritual gifts; we have different vocations, different charisms. Yet in these many varied ways, we are all called to build up the Body of Christ. This call is our hope. Just as He did to Saint Matthew, Jesus says to each of us, “Follow me.” How will your story continue? How will you live a life worthy of His call? Get up, today, sisters. Let’s go. Let’s follow Him. Jesus, we are humbled in Your presence. We boldly ask that you grant us the courage and the grace to become Saints. Saint Matthew, pray for us! [bctt tweet="God pours His graces upon those who answer when He calls. // @inendlesssong"] Elise Howe is a devoted wife, momma, vocal artist and teacher. She currently resides in New York City, though she will always be a Midwestern gal at heart. Elise has a heart for ministry, dark chocolate (but not too dark) and coffee with a generous amount of cream + sugar. Find out more about her here.

I've witnessed a handful of excellent lessons on gratitude. Most of these lessons have come from observing young children in the way they live and pray and experience life. Through my work in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, children have shown me the simplicity of being in God's presence and delighting in His good gifts. I think that young children have a natural aptitude towards gratitude. Especially gratitude towards God. It's not that young children usually express their gratitude with many words. In fact, they often need to be taught that it's appropriate to say "Thank you" when given a gift, but it seems as if their true thankfulness and appreciation is felt and expressed within their whole being. Gratitude seems to arise spontaneously in children. They take time to receive and experience what is given. They enjoy. I think this is because children know how to delight in the gift. If they are given the time as well as an environment that supports them, they truly can stop and wonder and enjoy what is around them. I've witnessed it many times in very simple ways: a face lit up with laughing delight while holding a tiny mustard seed, an attentive silent calm after the lighting of a candle, a joyful smile after a song together, a shared excitement with a friend after a new discovery, or a stillness after a prayerful reading of a single line of Scripture. Today's Psalm reads, "I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart!" (Psalm 111:1) I, too, want to give thanks to God with all my heart. I want to learn how to delight in God's good gifts and praise Him for His goodness. Like children, who have the ability to notice, appreciate, and enjoy what is given. What can you appreciate today? What can you delight in? Can you take a few moments to enjoy something today? [bctt tweet="I want to learn how to delight in God's good gifts and praise Him for His goodness."] Mary Catherine Craige enjoys spending her time creating art, writing, and playing her Irish harp. She uses her experience as a Montessori teacher and catechist to serve young children through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. As a life coach for business leaders, she encourages and challenges women in all walks of life to more deeply discover their purpose and live their full potential. You can find out more about her here.

"I probably shouldn't be talking about this, but . . ." How many times have we been a part of a conversation initiated this way? How many times has gossip ignited in a matter of seconds, even when we know we are fanning the flames of someone else's detriment? How many times have we been the one to light the match? Gossip appears to be a stumbling block particular to us as women. In today's reading, Saint Paul encouraged women to be "dignified, not slanderers." (1 Timothy 3:11) Looks like we've been dealing with this for centuries, girls. But why do we do it? Is it because we actually enjoy tearing someone else down? Is it because we truly feel better when someone else's life is riddled with suffering or drama or chaos? No. I think we are above that motivation. I think the real reason we gossip is because we mistake it for community. Most gossip occurs during wine night with our girlfriends, in the break room with our coworkers, over the phone with our sister, or on a walk with our neighbor. Gossip gives us something easy to talk about. And the tricky thing about gossip is that it looks a lot like bonding, when in reality, it divides. When it comes to building friendships, gossip tempts us to easy and shallow, when what we really desire is rich and deep. So instead of allowing gossip to choke the roots of a budding friendship, let's choose to cultivate conversations that yield a beautiful harvest. Let's focus on the good of others. Let's chat about our own struggles, triumphs, and questionings. I guarantee this shift in focus will strengthen true community in our lives and allow us to taste the sweetness of pure friendship. Is gossip or slander a struggle for you? Seek out a friend who can help hold you accountable. Make a determination to build other women up in your conversation. [bctt tweet="This shift will strengthen true community + allow us to taste the sweetness of pure friendship."] Olivia Spears is a middle school religion teacher turned SAHM who is married to her high school best friend. You can find out more about her here.