First Reading: Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29 Fear not, my people! Remember, Israel, You were sold to the nations not for your destruction; It was because you angered God that you were handed over to your foes. For you provoked your Maker with sacrifices to demons, to no-gods; You forsook the Eternal God who nourished you, and you grieved Jerusalem who fostered you. She indeed saw coming upon you the anger of God; and she said: “Hear, you neighbors of Zion! God has brought great mourning upon me, For I have seen the captivity that the Eternal God has brought upon my sons and daughters. With joy I fostered them; but with mourning and lament I let them go. Let no one gloat over me, a widow, bereft of many: For the sins of my children I am left desolate, because they turned from the law of God. Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; For he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:33-35, 36-37 R. (34) The Lord listens to the poor. “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!” R. The Lord listens to the poor. For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. They shall dwell in the land and own it, and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall inhabit it. R. The Lord listens to the poor. Gospel: Luke 10:17-24 The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, 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. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” NAB Of my nine children, four were born between September 29 and October 4. One would think that chances were excellent that I’d have a baby born on the feast of Saint Therese, one of my favorites. Just to up my chances, the first time I was expecting a girl around that time, I gave her Therese as a middle name. For months, I planned on a Saint Therese birthday baby. She was born September 30, six hours from the feast. The second time, I gave a girl child Rose as a middle name, because she was clearly the answer to a Saint Therese rose novena. She was born on the feast of Saint Francis. Go figure. What I have done here, though, is ensure that in that stretch of six days, five are party days. We celebrate birthdays and we go big for the feast of Saint Therese. In all our merrymaking, that leaves today, October 3, as the only quiet day to recover and gather my wits about me. In today’s Gospel, I am reminded again of the place of true rest. We only truly rest when we have childlike faith in the Father. Instead of the arduous rough stairway of perfection that so many of us try to climb to heaven, Saint Therese, offers an alternative: the elevator. She says that the elevator which raises us to heaven is the arms of Jesus. No more striving. No more trying to put on big girl pants and get there on my own might, just the lifting of my arms to His and the asking to be carried. Childlike faith—which is actually the most mature faith—is about remaining little and humble in His arms. When we are childlike towards the Father, we are totally dependent on Him and we lead lives of trust that He will tenderly care for us. Instead of powering through on my might in a great quest for holiness, I can be assured that, “What pleases Him is that He sees me loving my littleness and my poverty, the blind hope I have in His mercy.” Can I rest in that? Can I know deep in my heart that I only need to be childlike and dependent at His feet and He will lift me in His arms to heaven? Living a life of childlike faith asks me to live true simplicity and humility. Tear away the messages of the world that compel me to be more and to do more. Instead, trust more. That big to-do list? The one that might have been inspired by equal parts Pinterest and Instagram? Prioritize it according to childlike humility and watch how many things fall away because they aren’t genuinely drawing us closer to God. [bctt tweet="Living a life of childlike faith asks me to live true simplicity and humility."] Childlike faith is all about choosing to remain little, choosing to live humility with every breath. It’s not about perfection and it’s not about big deeds. It’s about allowing myself to be carried in the arms of my Savior. Elizabeth Foss is a wife, the mother of nine, and a grandmother. She finds the cacophony of big family imperfection to be the perfect place to learn to walk in the unforced rhythms of grace. You can learn more about her here.

First Reading: Baruch 1:15-22 During the Babylonian captivity, the exiles prayed: “Justice is with the Lord, our God; and we today are flushed with shame, we men of Judah and citizens of Jerusalem, that we, with our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and with our ancestors, have sinned in the Lord’s sight and disobeyed him. We have neither heeded the voice of the Lord, our God, nor followed the precepts which the Lord set before us. From the time the Lord led our ancestors out of the land of Egypt until the present day, we have been disobedient to the Lord, our God, and only too ready to disregard his voice. And the evils and the curse that the Lord enjoined upon Moses, his servant, at the time he led our ancestors forth from the land of Egypt to give us the land flowing with milk and honey, cling to us even today. For we did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God, in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us, but each one of us went off after the devices of his own wicked heart, served other gods, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God.” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 79:1B-2, 3-5, 8, 9 R. (9) For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. They have given the corpses of your servants as food to the birds of heaven, the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the earth. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury them. We have become the reproach of our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. O LORD, how long? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; Deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10 The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” NAB I am one of the Blessed Is She writers who is not a mother. I am not familiar with the reality of caring for children first-hand, but I do know a few things about children. The innocence that children possess is always something incredible to watch and experience. Children live in a state of awe. They are amazed . . . by bubbles, by the washing machine, by a passing butterfly, by being able to push their own tiny shopping cart in Trader Joe's. The only experience they have of the world is their own first-hand experience . . . they are not jaded, cynical, or critical of themselves or others. Many of them wave and smile at strangers, viewing all those around them as friends. They live out their imaginations, always wanting to play, to explore, and to wonder. Children trust. Children do not worry. Children love and live in joy. They depend well on other people, and they are masters at the enjoyment of simplicity. Is it any wonder that Christ wants us to be like children? When I care for children, the thing that strikes me the most is the purity of their hearts. Christ said it Himself . . . Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. I desire deeply to see God in everything, but I no longer possess many of the aforementioned characteristics of children. It is true for so many of us . . . we do not always smile at strangers, we can be slow to trust others, and we worry all the time. Growing up has allowed negativity to creep in, stress to overwhelm, mistrust to rule, and apathy to control. Growing up has caused us to believe that Facebook and blogging has more to offer us than going outside to explore nature. It has caused us to be critical in our thoughts and actions toward others. It has caused us to lose much of our wonder and amazement at the world around us, losing our ability to see God in all things. We slowly let go of the purity of our hearts along the road to and through adulthood. Christ wants to restore this purity of heart within us. He wants to restore our joy, our faith, and our willingness to be dazzled by life. He wants us to become like little children with His help and His healing touch. Will you let Him do so today? [bctt tweet="Christ wants to restore this purity of heart within us."] I invite you to reflect on your life today . . . do you feel you have lost some of your purity of heart on the journey through adulthood? Try to be dazzled by the simple things as a child would today, and see how a whole day can change when you live in wonder and awe. Emily Wilson planned her whole life to become a sports reporter but turned out to be a Catholic musician and speaker at the hand of God. She lives out of her suitcase and travels across the world speaking to people of all ages. The heart of her ministry is offering encouragement to teen girls in search of their true identity, and she loves ever second of it. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: NEHEMIAH 8:1-4A, 5-6, 7B-12 The whole people gathered as one in the open space before the Water Gate, and they called upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the law of Moses which the LORD prescribed for Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak until midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people); and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD, their faces to the ground. As the people remained in their places, Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep”– for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!” And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened.” Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them. Responsorial Psalm: PSALM 19:8, 9, 10, 11 R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye; R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; Sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. Gospel: Luke 10:1-12 Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.” NAB I am not a scholar of Scripture, so when I read today's First Reading, I was puzzled. Go back, sisters, and read again: Why exactly were the people weeping? It wasn't until I went back to the first seven chapters of the Book of Nehemiah and gained some context that I began to understand this small slice of Jewish history. Here's a recap: At the time of Nehemiah's writing (I think about 430 B.C.) the vast majority of Jews had been exiled from Judah, and the holy city of Jerusalem lay in ruins. This was greatly troubling to Nehemiah. He returns to rebuild the city, despite some doubts among the orphaned Jewish flock and the threats of a number of oppressors. Eventually the wall of Jerusalem is completed and the exiles return. Enter Chapter 8 (our reading for today), in which Ezra reads from the Law of Moses and tears come to the eyes of the people. It's hard to know exactly what emotions they were feeling based on today's reading. But if I were to take a not-so-giant leap, I wonder if they were deeply aware of their sins and the sins of their ancestors. Perhaps they were worried that they could never be redeemed, never "measure up" to the calling of their God. Perhaps our Jewish sisters had the same worries and felt the same inadequacies that you and I feel today. "Do not weep," say Nehemiah and Ezra and the scribes,“Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!” Do not weep, they say. God's love covers a multitude of sins. Do not weep. He welcomes you back with open arms. Do not weep. The only "measuring" that should ever be done is with our Lord's merciful yardstick. [bctt tweet="Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"] How fitting that we might learn this Jewish history of the feast of Saint Therese, who knew deeply that we should never have to worry about "measuring up." Spend some time today reflecting on these lines of hers: God would not make me wish for something impossible and so, in spite of my littleness, I can aim at being a saint. It is impossible for me to grow bigger, so I put up with myself as I am, with all my countless faults. But I will look for some means of going to heaven by a little way which is very short and very straight, a little way that is quite new. . . . It is your arms, Jesus, which are the lift to carry me to heaven, And so there is no need for me to grow up. In fact, just the opposite: I must stay little and become less and less. Karen Schultz is a birth doula who hails from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. She spends her free time reading, playing the mandolin, and proudly serving on the Board of Directors for Guiding Star Twin Cities. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Nehemiah 2:1-8 In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. As I had never before been sad in his presence, the king asked me, “Why do you look sad? If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.” Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king: “May the king live forever! How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been eaten out by fire?” The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?” I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king: “If it please the king, and if your servant is deserving of your favor, send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, to rebuild it.” Then the king, and the queen seated beside him, asked me how long my journey would take and when I would return. I set a date that was acceptable to him, and the king agreed that I might go. I asked the king further: “If it please the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of West-of-Euphrates, that they may afford me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah; also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal park, that he may give me wood for timbering the gates of the temple-citadel and for the city wall and the house that I shall occupy.” The king granted my requests, for the favoring hand of my God was upon me. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you! By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps. Though there our captors asked of us the lyrics of our songs, And our despoilers urged us to be joyous: “Sing for us the songs of Zion!” How could we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten! May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, If I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy. Gospel: Luke 9:57-62 As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” ESV But first, coffee. It’s a common little phrase sometimes screen-printed on a t-shirt or mug giving off the vibe that before any normal functioning is to take place, coffee must be consumed. I get it. I’ve been there. And, most days it still does give me that extra boost of energy necessary to get the day going! Coffee is a good thing, and for busy women, sometimes a necessary thing. But, what if our lives revolved around a little change in the phrase . . . but first, Jesus? I know I don’t always jump out of bed in the mornings seeking Him before my morning cup. Yet, I should. Because what He does for my soul, and thus my daily existence, is far more important than what coffee does for my energy level. I will read more of my Bible when I get caught up with these photos I have to edit. I will pray more after I just mark a couple things off my to-do list. I will take time to rest in him and be quiet . . . but first, I must tidy the house. There is always something I’m looking back on. I always have “just one more thing” to take care of before I feed my soul. Honestly, my phrase at this very moment reads: everything else, then Jesus . . . if I have time. In the Gospel today, Jesus doesn’t even let His disciples tell their families goodbye, much less let them finish replying to an email before picking up and following after Him. If I started my day with Him, would I worry less? Would I feel less obligated to fret over the amount of daily tasks I accomplish? Would I be freer to do all for His glory, even if that only meant one out of ten things I hoped to do? Ultimately, would I be more at peace? How could I not?! In putting Him literally first in my days, they cannot help but be off to a better start! [bctt tweet="In putting Him literally first in my days, they cannot help but be off to a better start!"] Tomorrow (even today!) try feeding your soul first, and then have that cup of coffee. I have a feeling we’ll both find that having Jesus first might be what we’ve been missing all along! But first, Jesus! photo by Corynne Olivia Britt Fisk is the wife of Jeremy and mother of four young kids. She spends her days living simply in the-middle-of-nowhere-New Mexico helping with the family beef cattle operation. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-2AB, 2CDE-3, 4-5 In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD when they hear the words of your mouth; And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD “Great is the glory of the LORD Gospel: John 1:47-51 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” ESV I’m a day-dreamer. Sometimes the stories that swirl in my mind are outrageous, or romantic, or morbid, or just plain silly. More often, my mind races with ideas about what could be if XYZ happen? What will be in my real life if this certain thing might happen? When I read today’s readings, and sit with them, I try to imagine what that day will be like, when the real events Jesus told Nathanael about do happen. “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Can you imagine? The Book of Daniel talks about fire, myriads ministering to the Ancient One who sits on a throne of flames, “one like a son of man, on the clouds of heaven,” glory, and kingship. I could sit and ponder and imagine for years what this will be like. The Son of Man, on clouds, with the Ancient One on a flaming throne, people serving the Son of Man . . . I can hardly even imagine what my reaction might be to see Jesus coming on the clouds, with countless angels around him. It sounds so amazing and fantastic—in the truest senses of the words. I imagine bright, vivid, beautiful colors. Joy. Awe. Wonder. Some people believe that Jesus’ coming again will be soon, very, very soon. But you know? He comes to us in all this glory, angels included, every single day. Every day. We have the most amazing gift in the Mass and the Eucharist. We don’t have to wait for the “end” to behold the Son of Man in His glory. We need only go to Mass. Isn’t it incredible? Maybe the next time you are at Mass, a daily Mass or this Sunday, you can close your eyes during the consecration and after you receive the Eucharist, and imagine the glory that Daniel speaks of, imagine the angels around you, imagine Christ—the Son of Man—in His heavenly glory. [bctt tweet="Jesus comes to us in all this glory, angels included, every single day."] Imagine that around you. Because Christ is within you, and the Angels and all of Heaven are around you. I believe that one day there will be something like what Daniel describes, but don’t wait until then. Seek out the encounter with Christ now, and let the glory of his love fill your life here and now with all the wonder and beauty that His life brings to our lives. photo by Corynne Olivia Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Zechariah 8:1-8 This word of the LORD of hosts came: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am intensely jealous for Zion, stirred to jealous wrath for her. Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and I will dwell within Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women, each with staff in hand because of old age, shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem. The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also, says the LORD of hosts? Thus says the LORD of hosts: Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun, and from the land of the setting sun. I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 AND 22-23 The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory. The nations shall revere your name, O LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory, When the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the LORD: “The LORD looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, To hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die. The children of your servants shall abide, and their posterity shall continue in your presence. That the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion; and his praise, in Jerusalem, When the peoples gather together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. Gospel: Luke 9:46-50 An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.”Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” ESV My oldest sister was recently married to her boyfriend of almost twenty years. We witnessed a private ceremony out at our family's country spot, including her immediate family and his and a handful of their close friends. The presider over the ceremony was a Lutheran minister. A female minister. My heart rejoiced when my sister shared her dear friend would be presiding. A woman of God! How wonderful. But a tiny sliver of my heart took pause. Our five year old wannabe priest has never seen a woman wearing a collar. He's pretty keen on all this liturgical business (hosts daily mass in his closet, which is a monastery, and a convent for the three year old) and although he's well aware of other Christians, we usually discuss them in terms of how our faiths differ. Driving by the huge stone church that looms on the way to our church, I always note, "There's a Protestant church. They don't believe Jesus is present in the Eucharist, the Pope is the head of the church, or that Mary had Jesus as a miracle baby." The kids duly repeat this to themselves and each other and any obliging ear in a ten mile radius. I also slip in, "They're our brothers and sisters in the faith, though." But does that last line really sink in? That we have so much in common with all Christians? That we pray for the union of all Christians daily? That whoever is not against you is for you? It really sank in for me, watching this lovely and holy woman witness my sister and her spouse's vows. She and I have so much in common. My children had a chance to see and hear and discuss up close and personal how a woman of faith is our sister-in-faith, and how even though we do have doctrinal differences and differing traditions, relatively speaking, those differences pale comparatively. Now when we drive past the huge stone church I note, "There's another Christian church. We share lots of beliefs with them. A few things are different about Holy Communion and the Pope and Mama Mary. But they are still our brothers and sisters in faith." [bctt tweet="They are still our brothers and sisters in faith."] Are you harboring and harping on differences in your heart with someone in your life, with some group in your life? Can you find common ground while still respecting your differences? How is Jesus talking to you today in this Gospel? photo by Corynne Olivia Nell O'Leary is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom to three lovelies. She and her husband live in the great city of Saint Paul. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Numbers 11:25-29 The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied. Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad, were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp. They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent; yet the spirit came to rest on them also, and they prophesied in the camp. So, when a young man quickly told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, " Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’aide, said, "Moses, my lord, stop them." But Moses answered him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets! Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!" Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. Though your servant is careful of them, very diligent in keeping them, Yet who can detect failings? Cleanse me from my unknown faults! From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant; let it not rule over me. Then shall I be blameless and innocent of serious sin. Second Reading: James 5:1-6 Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance. Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'" ESV Think about the last time you had a heart-to-heart with God. Was it last night, before you fell asleep? This morning, just as you opened your eyes? Last week in the doctor’s office? What did you ask Him? The prayers that shape a woman’s relationship with Jesus often look a lot like her to-do list. “Please, God, I need at least an 80 on this test.” “Sweet Jesus, help him ace that job interview.” “God, could you send me a check before you send the next bill?” “Jesus, remember when you were a little boy? We really need a bigger yard.” Sometimes, I think I confuse God with a financial planner, a realtor, and a college professor. I fall into the pattern of praying that is common in the land of plenty, fervently begging for the wrong things and overlooking the things that really matter to our Lord. He cares about my sin. He cares about the things that stand between Him and me and an eternity in Heaven. If you are reading this devotion, you are living in relative luxury. You are! Even as you struggle to make ends meet. You are good with re-inventing rice and beans a dozen ways to Sunday. You know every thrift store in a twenty-mile radius. Still, money isn’t your greatest need. Holiness is. God wants us to be rich in holiness. He wants us to cry out to Him for His justice and righteousness and nearness. He wants us to long for Him more than we long for a better job or a bigger backyard. More than anything, He wants us to move away from sin and close to Him. For a moment, imagine losing a hand or a foot. It’s a painful thought, isn’t it? Now, imagine a child—your child—losing a hand or foot. Unbearable, no? God says sin is worse than losing a hand, a foot, or an eye. Further, He warns us not to lead children into sin. The children in our lives look to us to understand what matters most. What do they see? Do they see us striving to store up treasure here? [bctt tweet="God wants us to be rich in holiness."] Our Lord cares about our to-do lists. He cares about the grocery list, the balance sheet, the syllabus. And He really wants us to take all of those things to Him. Every need, every care, every concern matters to God. When we go, though, let’s let our first petition be that we face all of these things with humble, contrite hearts. When we go, let us ask Him first to make us holy. photo by Corynne Olivia Elizabeth Foss is a wife, the mother of nine, and a grandmother. She finds the cacophony of big family imperfection to be the perfect place to learn to walk in the unforced rhythms of grace. You can learn more about her here.

First Reading: Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15A I, Zechariah, raised my eyes and looked: there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered, “To measure Jerusalem, to see how great is its width and how great its length.” Then the angel who spoke with me advanced, and another angel came out to meet him and said to him, “Run, tell this to that young man: People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country, because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst. But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.” Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD. Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people and he will dwell among you. Responsorial Psalm: Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12AB, 13 The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd guards his flock. The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings. Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows. Gospel: Luke 9:43B-45 While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. ESV When reading today’s Gospel I can’t help but feel a little sorry for the Apostles. Why does Jesus make it so hard for them to understand His words? Why can’t He just come out and explain exactly what He means and tell them what is going to happen. On the other hand, I could understand why Jesus may have kept the truth hidden from them. They were not yet prepared to fully understand Jesus’ meaning. They were not ready to know the truth. It had to be revealed to them in God’s timing. How often this still takes place today! There are times when we may pray for certain things to happen (or not happen) and God does not answer us as we want. We question God and ask, “Why? Why is this happening?” Rarely is the answer given to us immediately. Usually, it is not until much later down the road that we look back at the situation and see a clearer picture. We understand more fully or we see the benefits of the way things turned out. It takes a lot of trust to be able to let go of the whys and have faith that God is in charge and knows what He is doing. We may only see a small portion of God’s plan but we know that God sees the bigger picture and how it all intertwines together. When we are most in doubt, that is when we have to truly believe what the Psalm tells us, “The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock,” and, “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrow.” Our Lord is watching over us and protecting us. Even when life seems to be spiraling out of our control, we can be assured that He will hold us up and pull us through. We just need to trust in Him and follow his path. [bctt tweet="Even when life seems to be spiraling out of our control, we can be assured that He will hold us up and pull us through."] Today, when you are struggling, whether it is something small or a heavy cross, lay your burden at Jesus’ feet and repeat, "Jesus, I trust in you." photo by Corynne Olivia Bobbi Rol is a wife, a mama of four and a blogger learning to love God in the midst of dishes, laundry and swinging light sabers. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Haggai 2:1-9 In the second year of King Darius, on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: Tell this to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak, and to the remnant of the people: Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem like nothing in your eyes? But now take courage, Zerubbabel, says the LORD, and take courage, Joshua, high priest, son of Jehozadak, And take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work! For I am with you, says the LORD of hosts. This is the pact that I made with you when you came out of Egypt, And my spirit continues in your midst; do not fear! For thus says the LORD of hosts: One moment yet, a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come in, And I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. Mine is the silver and mine the gold, says the LORD of hosts. Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the LORD of hosts; And in this place I will give you peace, says the LORD of hosts! Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 43:1, 2, 3, 4 Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God. Do me justice, O God, and fight my fight against a faithless people; from the deceitful and impious man rescue me. For you, O God, are my strength. Why do you keep me so far away? Why must I go about in mourning, with the enemy oppressing me? Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on And bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling place. Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; Then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God! Gospel: Luke 9:18-22 Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” ESV God does not dig for treasure, He shakes it out. I love the visual that today's First Reading gives us. "I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come in, And I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD." I just see God giving the world a little shake and all these people come tossing out and God gathers them all to fill His house with glory. His treasures. We are all treasured by God. But in a special and intimate way, God especially treasures women. We are given the title "crown of creation" because we are the beautiful crown that sits on top of all of God's proud creations. The last and most perfect thing He breathed life into existence. We should walk around with this title proudly, knowing that every part of what makes us unique both inside and out is perfect, worthy of a crown, and treasured. Wow, the confidence I would strut around with if I just plastered that message solidly on my heart and was reminded hourly of that truth. Isn't so ironic that our crosses and our sins fog our minds and hearts and attack that very truth?! Don't we as woman especially suffer from our vanity, not ever being good enough, not every being satisfied, always comparing, always envious of another?! We are all treasures. We are all treasured. All of us ALSO possess a treasure. Something specific, unique, different from every single created soul, something made by the Creator. We are given this treasure by God to offer it to the world, even if sometimes we cling to it such that we need to have it shaken out of us. If given away, this treasure can shine so brightly as if our own individualized beacon, calling people to Christ. The hardest thing about giving away our treasure is the vulnerability that accompanies this action. It's our Achilles heel. Vulnerability can be a hard task to overcome because we are good stuffers . . . we stuff down our emotions and true feelings down deep, and somewhere down there is most likely your treasure too. We need to dig down deep, air out all those emotions, let them go, find our treasure, dust it off, and share it with the world. Wake up, shake up, and let it go. [bctt tweet="This treasure can shine so brightly as if our own individualized beacon, calling people to Christ."] Let's let it sink in that we are treasured. Let's be vulnerable. Let's share our treasure. Cassie Kent is a wife, mom to two kiddos, loves to get a little crafty and even throws a monthly party celebrating the beauty of creativity. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Haggai 1:1-8 On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius, The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak: Thus says the LORD of hosts: This people says: “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” (Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:) Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house That I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the LORD. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B The Lord takes delight in his people. Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; Let the high praises of God be in their throats. This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. Gospel: Luke 9:7-9 Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him. ESV Pour yourselves a stiff drink, ladies. (If you’re reading this in the morning, make it a strong cup of coffee.) Today’s readings pack a serious punch. In case you hadn’t noticed during your lifetime on this planet, God’s ways are not our ways. God does not conform to the world’s standards. We know this as Christians. Radical love, abundant forgiveness, unmerited grace—none of it makes logical sense. But if today’s news headlines aren’t enough prove the mismatch between our ways and God’s, take the first reading. A quick and tidy checklist of how humans continue to mess up. You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it. Gulp. Yup, that’s me. Frantic, frenzied, gluttonous, and envious. (At least I know I’m in good company of thousands of years of humanity.) But wait. The truth that God’s ways are not our ways is not meant to depress us—exactly the opposite. Our humanity and God’s divinity are the source of deep and lasting hope. Because it’s not up to us. It’s up to Him. We are loved. We are forgiven. We are created, cared for, and called by name. When we remember this truth and turn away from the world’s temptations, we are return to the Good News that sets the solid foundation for our lives. The Gospel is always unfolding in the middle of confusion. Today’s readings reminds us that even the most powerful leaders are perplexed by God’s ways. Herod did everything he could to stop the coming of Christ—the slaughter of the innocents, the beheading of John the Baptist—but brute force and political sway couldn't hold a candle to the power of God. What a dazzling reminder for us, that the powers of this world have never been a safe place to put our trust. [bctt tweet="We are loved. We are forgiven. We are created, cared for, and called by name."] Today, set down your phone and turn off the news. When the world’s worries gnaw at your heart and your hope, pause and breathe and pray. Remember that God’s ways are not our ways. Remember that it’s not up to us. It’s up to Him. photo by Corynne Olivia Laura Kelly Fanucci is a mother, writer, and theological researcher. She and her husband are raising three little boys in the suburban wilds of Minnesota. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Ezra 9:5-9 At the time of the evening sacrifice, I, Ezra, rose in my wretchedness, and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees, stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God. I said: “My God, I am too ashamed and confounded to raise my face to you, O my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads and our guilt reaches up to heaven. From the time of our fathers even to this day great has been our guilt, and for our wicked deeds we have been delivered up, we and our kings and our priests, to the will of the kings of foreign lands, to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, and to disgrace, as is the case today. “And now, but a short time ago, mercy came to us from the LORD, our God, who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place; thus our God has brightened our eyes and given us relief in our servitude. For slaves we are, but in our servitude our God has not abandoned us; rather, he has turned the good will of the kings of Persia toward us. Thus he has given us new life to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins, and has granted us a fence in Judah and Jerusalem.” Responsorial Psalm: Tobit 13:2, 3-4A Blessed be God, who lives for ever. He scourges and then has mercy; he casts down to the depths of the nether world, and he brings up from the great abyss. No one can escape his hand. Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles, for though he has scattered you among them, he has shown you his greatness even there. So now consider what he has done for you, and praise him with full voice. Bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of ages. In the land of my exile I praise him and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation. Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones, and may all of you praise his majesty. Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise. Gospel: Luke 9:1-6 Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere. ESV [Jesus] sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey . . . .” You may be familiar with this Gospel passage. I don’t know about you, but the part that always stops me in my tracks is when Jesus tells the Apostles to take nothing for the journey. Nothing, Lord? Not even a second outfit? Wow, that is intense. I mean, I know following Christ is a serious undertaking, but worldly, human me has a really hard time wrapping my head around that instruction. But as I reflected upon the passage further, I realized I overlooked something. Something key. Did you notice what happened right before this sending forth? Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases . . . . Jesus gave the Apostles power and authority. He gave them something for the journey. In fact, Jesus gave them exactly what they needed. While they had nothing materially, they had spiritual gifts from the Lord worth far more than anything they could have physically carried. The same holds true for you and me. Whatever God’s mission is for you, whatever your vocation, whatever season of life you are currently in, He will bless you with exactly what you need to succeed in His calling. How easy it is for us to focus on the things of this world. How counter-cultural it would be for us to focus on the eternal. Yet this is what we are called to do. When it seems like you don’t have what it takes to face the task at hand, have courage and take heart, dear sisters. Jesus will give you everything you need. [bctt tweet="Have courage and take heart, dear sisters. Jesus will give you everything you need."] How is God calling you to proclaim His kingdom? Spend some time in prayer today that you might be open to receiving the spiritual gifts and graces He so desires to pour out upon you. photo by Madi Myers-Cook Elise Howe is a devoted wife, new momma, and musician currently living in NYC, though she will always be a midwestern gal at heart. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Ezra 6:7-8, 12B, 14-20 King Darius issued an order to the officials of West-of-Euphrates: “Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be carefully executed.” The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The children of Israel–priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles– celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. For the dedication of this house of God, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel, in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel. Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses. The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5 Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. Gospel: Luke 8:19-21 The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” ESV The Danish “hygge” and German “Gemütlichkeit” are two words that cannot fully be translated to English and often get reduced to “cozy,” “homey,” or “comfort,” though none of those are quite right. The words conjure up a warm and festive holiday memory or a safe, happy gathering with loved ones on a rainy evening. I like to think of them as describing the opposite of homesickness. Homesickness can strike at the most unexpected moments. Feeling separated from the people who love us, the places that comfort us, and the touchstones of memory leaves jagged edges on our hearts that are hard to heal. The Israelite exiles in the First Reading had an even greater struggle: they felt separated from God, Whom they had experienced most deeply in the Temple. We can understand the joy of returning to their home city, to the Temple, and to the offering of the Passover lamb. We are also asked to participate in this homecoming every time we celebrate the Mass. In the Gospel, Christ offers us a home together in Him. What is required of us to be joined to the family of God? It’s simple: “to hear the word of God and do it.” Being part of the family of God—the Communion of Saints—offers us a place at the Eternal Feast. Participating in His paschal sacrifice at the Eucharist is our ultimate homecoming. I’ve been immensely blessed with a tight-knit, loving family here on earth. Many others have not. No matter where we were born or who raised us, we are reminded that our true home, the true source of “hygge” or “Gemütlichkeit,” is not the material fabric of our lives. Our ultimate home is that which is found in Christ—offered through trust and action. We partake in that nourishing supper of the Eucharist until, one day, we return to our eternal home and join the family table in Heaven. [bctt tweet="Our ultimate home is that which is found in Christ—offered through trust and action."] Are you feeling alone, far from home, far from love? Find your place at the table—in the Eucharist and in prayer and deed. Let Jesus welcome you home into His family. photo by Corynne Olivia Brigid Hogan loves the view of the Washington Monument from her apartment, her standing desk, the Green Bay Packers, and a good mystery. She tolerates taking the Metro to the office, where she works as a communications consultant. You can find out more about her here.  

First Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5 Their message goes out through all the earth. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” ESV There Matthew sat in his sin. Everyone knew tax collectors took more than they should, keeping the extra for themselves. They were liars and thieves. They weren't respected or trusted. Perhaps as Matthew sat in his sin, he was inwardly crying out to God, begging for a savior, hoping someone would restore his dignity. We all have a sin or at least a temptation that, if we let it, can define us and become the sum of who we are. Every other characteristic about us, all the intricate details God added while He lovingly shaped us in the quiet, they can all be wiped away by the word we allow to define us. Bitter. Lazy. Mean. A gossip. Jealous. Afraid. Lustful. Prideful. Angry. Timid. Self-centered. No self-control. Unreliable. We sit with these sins and we begin to believe them. Maybe it starts out small but when we allow it, they will take over until we reach the point where we doubt our own worth. Now this part is important: You are not your sin. You are a daughter of God. You are His beloved. You are His creation. God does not create, love, or redeem crap. Right now, Christ is calling out to you, just as He did to Matthew. Just like Matthew, you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Get up and follow Him. [bctt tweet="Right now, Christ is calling out to you. Get up and follow Him."] Do you have a sin or a struggle that has been festering in your heart and soul? Find the next available confession times or schedule an appointment with your priest. Follow Christ to the Sacraments so He can heal you with His Mercy. photo by Corynne Olivia Bonnie Engstrom is a writer, baker, speaker, and homemaker. She lives with her husband and five children in central Illinois. You can find out more about her here.  

First Reading: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6 AND 8 The Lord upholds my life. O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. For the haughty men have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life; they set not God before their eyes. Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness. Second Reading: James 3:16—4:3 Beloved: Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Gospel: Mark 9:30-37 Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” ESV I'm a former teacher, so I know well the glazed look of a pre-teen when they are trying to like act they understand what I'm saying, but really have no clue what I'm talking about. Spiritually, I get that glazed look from time to time. I'll read a passage of Scripture, or a quote from a saint, or a teaching of the Church and not fully understand what it's saying to me. Most of the time, I chalk it up as "over my head," move on, and not think about it again. But how much am I missing out when I do that? How much richness, understanding, and most importantly, closeness to Jesus am I skipping over because I don't have the energy, courage, or passion to ask? "You do not possess because you do not ask," the Second Reading tells us. We see this lived out in the Gospel: "But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him." Jesus was telling His Apostles a major truth about His death and Resurrection. It was so clear that He could have said "spoiler alert" beforehand. Yet they didn't get it. And who can blame them? No one had ever risen from the dead before. But here's the thing: they didn't ask for clarification. They didn't ask to better understand. They stood there like my tweens, with glazed eyes of confusion, too stuck in their fear to admit that something didn't make sense to them. When something about our faith doesn't make sense to us, do we ask questions, or simply move on in ignorance? Let's not be afraid to ask, even the tough, awkward, uncomfortable questions. Even the "stupid" questions. If we don't know, we can't grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord in that area. Ask your parish priest, talk to a trusted Catholic mentor, post in our regional Facebook groups. If we don't ask, we can't receive the understanding. Let's be brave, let's be like curious little children, and ask our Father for guidance. [bctt tweet="Let's be brave, let's be like curious little children, and ask our Father for guidance."] Ask and seek answers. Pray within your hearts first, and then come on over and talk with your sisters. photo by Madi Myers-Cook 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.

First Reading: 1 Timothy 6:13-16 Beloved: I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1B-2, 3, 4, 5 Come with joy into the presence of the Lord. Sing joyfully to the LORD all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song. Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; Give thanks to him; bless his name. For he is good: the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. Gospel: Luke 8:4-15 When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand. “This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” ESV Like Myers-Briggs tests or other temperament quizzes, today's Gospel seems to offer us a unique kind of spiritual personality test. Which seed are you? Is your "spiritual personality" most like the seed of the Path, the Rocks, the Thorns, or Rich Soil? Whenever I hear this Gospel my first thoughts are always quite self-righteous, "Yes, I'm definitely the Rich Soil. I totally do all those things." About half-way through that thought, the truth that I am really in the Thorny quadrant seems to be more accurate. It's so easy to swept up in anxiety. I am often choked by thorns of worry, the glitter of beautiful things, because who doesn't like comfort or riches? Although the pleasures of life are not always bad, they can definitely become a real distraction from hearing the Word of God. What about the Path? How many times have I let the Word of God be taken away from me by evil or sin? It's so easy to become disillusioned and hardened by the experiences of sin and suffering. Life can be hard and not always such an easy path to tread. The Devil is real, and he is working hard to try to take away the seeds of faith that have been planted in our hearts. Yes, I am also a member of the Rocky Ground camp. Jesus is awesome, and it's easy to be all about Jesus when everything is going great. But life sometimes becomes quite rough and rocky. In the midst of the real battle of temptation, I find that my faith in this "awesome God" is not always so strong or deeply rooted. And yet, each one of us is called to be the Rich Soil. The seed of faith has been sown within us through Baptism and nourished by the sacraments. Tilled through our penance and personal sufferings, this seed is made fertile by the outpouring of the Spirit. We truly ARE the Rich Soil. We can leave behind that wrong path, those jarring rocks, and all the suffocating thorns of our lives. Jesus nurtures all the growth within us through His tender love and care. It is our job to persevere. Through perseverance, we will bear much fruit. Today let's be the Rich Soil. May we accept our true identity in Christ and remain in the rich soil of His love. [bctt tweet="May we accept our true identity in Christ and remain in the rich soil of His love."] May we hear God's word, embrace it generously, and persevere in bearing much fruit. photo by Corynne Olivia Mary Catherine Craige is a lover of creativity and learning new things. When she is not guiding the development of young children through Montessori methods, you can find her behind her harp, taking an art class, or writing silly poems. You can find out more about her here.  

First Reading: 1 Timothy 4:12-16 Beloved: Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate. Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:7-8, 9, 10 How great are the works of the Lord! The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, Reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; prudent are all who live by it. His praise endures forever. Gospel: Luke 7:36-50 A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” ESV Certainly if you asked me if I am ashamed of Jesus, my answer would be a quick and decisive “no.” And the thought of standing before the throne of grace only to have Him feel ashamed of me? Well, that’s downright terrifying. And, yet, if I am honest, shame plays an all too real role in my life. It creeps in when I wake up in the morning and find a sink full of dishes I meant to do the night before but somehow didn’t get to. It flushes my cheeks when my husband has to ask for clean underwear or a towel. It makes my hands itch when I realize I have forgotten to respond to email or text in a timely fashion. If I am not careful, shame can become a driving force that pushes me hard into a vicious cycle of striving and never being enough. What does it say about the God who made me and died to save me that I would let shame determine who I am and how I live my days? Surely it does not say that I am confident and unafraid because I know that I serve a God who loves me and gave Himself to save me. Surely it does not speak with the confidence of one troubled by no man because she bears the marks of Jesus. It is not the attitude of one who has learned to take up her cross daily and follow Him. If I am made in the image and likeness of this God who offers me a confident faith, and I believe I am defined only by what He has already done for me, then there is no place for shame in my life. I cannot walk around feeling less-than in the eyes of the world and say I am not ashamed of Jesus. Because He is the defining factor of my life. I am an image bearer of His likeness, goodness, holiness, and loveliness. When I look in the mirror, and in the dirty sink, and at the spewing laundry pile, do I flush with shame or breathe in the confident hope that Jesus walks with me into my inadequacies and redeems them? When I slow myself down and sit at His feet, do I burn with discontentment at who I am and what I am able to do, like Martha, or do I drink deeply of His grace and hold to Him as He tells me that I am, like Mary? If I find myself falling into shame, let me make today the day I remember that I am a new creation, one that bears the scars of Christ’s love for her. And that in His saving grace, I am have nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I can live with eager expectation and courage that I will honor Christ. I will honor Christ. Me with my stretch marks and scattered brain. Me with my hot tears and anxious heart. Me with the dirty dishes and basket of mismatched socks. I will honor Christ because I bear the glory of His redemption in my being. What an amazing thought. And if I can dare to let myself believe it, I can release the stronghold of shame on my life and walk fully free in Him, straight into the glory of His Kingdom come. Let’s walk free together, shall we? [bctt tweet="I will honor Christ because I bear the glory of His redemption in my being."] Today when you come face to face with your inadequacies, speak these words to yourself, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed.” Then ask the Holy Spirit to come and help you to truly believe them. photo by Madi Myers-Cook Colleen Mitchell is wife to Greg and mother to five amazing sons here on earth. They serve in Costa Rica where they run the St. Francis Emmaus Center, a ministry that welcomes indigenous mothers into their home to provide them access to medical care, support and education in the weeks before and after the birth of a child. Find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16 Beloved: I am writing you, although I hope to visit you soon. But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 How great are the works of the Lord! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my hear in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights. Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD. He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. Gospel: Luke 7:31-35 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” ESV It’s an old saying: “You can please all of the people some of the time, or some of the people all of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” I encounter this reality on a daily basis. My older son loves the pasta I made for dinner; my younger son won’t even let it get near his mouth. Some of my high school students dive enthusiastically into the activity I have planned; others rise reluctantly from their desks, looking as if they’d rather have their teeth extracted. Today’s Gospel touches on this truth by showing us the reception Jesus got from other people. He’s judged as a glutton and drunkard for enjoying the pleasures of the table, but He’s well aware that if He’d lived an ascetic life like John the Baptist, He’d be criticized for that too. I feel a little bit better reading this passage. Even the Savior of the world didn’t have everyone liking or approving of Him. I’m in good company. But still, it can be hard to let go of the desire to please everyone. Intellectually, I know that I will not win applause every time, whether it’s with my cooking or my teaching or my writing. Emotionally, that fact is often hard to accept. And I’m not content not to improve; some part of me always wants to increase the percentage of people in the “Pleased” category. At the same time, I recognize that this desire could turn me into Ginny-in-the-hamster wheel, running madly and fruitlessly for no reason other than my own pride. “Tension” is not a word we associate with positive things, but sometimes it can be good. This is one of those times. I think my life works best when there is a tension between these two extremes. It is good to strive to improve, but I need to be realistic about how far I can go. It is good to want others to approve of me, but I can’t sacrifice my truest self to get there. In any given situation it takes wisdom to know when to keep going and when to stop. It takes discernment, and prayer. Thankfully, we have a God who has been there Himself. He has been there, and He’s always ready to listen. [bctt tweet="In any given situation it takes wisdom to know when to keep going and when to stop."] When have you had to navigate between trying harder and accepting things as they are? photo by Madi Myers-Cook Ginny Kubitz Moyer is a mother, high school English teacher, and BBC period drama junkie. She is the author of Random MOMents of Grace: Experiencing God in the Adventures of Motherhood and Mary and Me: Catholic Women Reflect on the Mother of God. Ginny lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two boys, and about thirty thousand Legos. You can find out more about her here.