God is Not Impressed

Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

Reading 1 Proverbs 30:5-9

Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.

Two things I ask of you,
deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches;
provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, "Who is the LORD?"
Or, being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163

R. (105) Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
From every evil way I withhold my feet,
that I may keep your words.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Through your precepts I gain discernment;
therefore I hate every false way.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Falsehood I hate and abhor;
your law I love.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

Alleluia Mark 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

- - -

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

September 24, 2026 // Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

Reflect on the Word //

I strolled down Michigan Avenue in Chicago with an iced tea in one hand, a tiny shoulder bag dangling from my arm, and my other hand free to peruse racks of clothing, rummage through my wallet for a card, and grasp the woven strings of a gusseted shopping bag. I passed window after window laughing with my friends, all of us relieved to have a break from school. The towering luxury shops there were different from the humble boutiques in our college town’s pedestrian mall. The grandeur of the shop exteriors enticed me, and as I caught glimpses of the “new collection,” “limited stock,” and “Be the first!” signs, I was surprised by my sudden distractedness and piqued curiosity.

As I look back upon this trip with my friends, it isn’t the “limited edition” clothes I purchased that day that I remember. In fact, I’m not even sure that I could pick them out from among the “tired,” vintage, and thrifted items in my closet now. In today’s First Reading, we are reminded that “Nothing is new under the sun. Even the thing of which we say, ‘See, this is new!’ has already existed in the ages that preceded us” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10). God is not impressed by the newest fads and repackaged idols. He is impressed by a renewed spirit, one that looks beyond the barrage of marketing ploys and toward the Eternal Wedding Feast, invitation in hand.

What I do remember about my trip are the little pockets of joy I experienced that day in the big city: posing for windswept pictures by the Bean, taking a bite of my first ever Chicago-style hot dog, and looking up in wonder at the Holy Name Cathedral ceilings. These were the things that took me outside of myself for a moment and gave me a glimpse of God’s delight in me.

It is hard to avoid the pulls of materialism and trendy behavior in our digital and consumer-driven world. But God calls us to look past these vanities, to savor the joys of life that remind us that all creation comes from and returns to Him.

Relate to the Lord // Savor the joys of life today and journal what you experience.

Pray + Plan

About Olivia Jackson

View other posts from the author

Olivia Jackson, known by her family and friends as Liv, recently graduated from the University of Iowa College of Education. She now happily lives and works in Des Moines, Iowa as a third grade teacher at a catholic grade school. She enjoys anything outdoorsy, creative, or active and can often be found reading in a hammock, scrapbooking with music and a snack, or enjoying a fun workout class. Olivia is a social butterfly and loves being surrounded by and meeting Christ in her family, friends, co-workers, and students!