July 27, 2026 // Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35  Reflect on the Word //  Several times I’ve tried to become a habitual bread baker. Nothing beats the aroma filling the house, nor the taste of a home-baked loaf of bread. I’ve bought sourdough starters, specialty flours, and even tried a wild sourdough starter method. The results were always delicious and a huge hit with my family. But baking consistently while keeping up with the demands of my family proves time and again to be more than I can handle. I forget to keep enough yeast or flour on hand, I run out of time to feed the starter, or I don’t have time to keep baking. After my baking escapades, Jesus’ parable about the yeast fascinates me. I buy my flour and yeast in small amounts at the store, ready to go whenever I want to bake. I started wondering where the woman’s yeast came from and how much flour filled three measures.  Natural yeast exists in the environment or is saved from previous batches of baking or fermenting. Perhaps the parable yeast was saved from other baking. As for the three measures of flour, I learned that amount equals nearly fifty pounds of flour! Once leavened and baked, the bread from three measures fed close to 100 people (source). I think Jesus was speaking not only of the transformation yeast creates, but also of abundant nourishment. Without Jesus, I can do nothing, just as flour cannot become bread without yeast. Jesus nourishes me and changes me every time I receive His Body in the Eucharist. With His life in me, His kingdom can be established and grow in my heart. Just as the yeast in the parable leavened a large quantity of flour, Jesus can transform my entire life for His glory. God wants to transform each of our lives, and through us, the whole world. The transformation starts when we read Scripture and receive the Sacraments, allowing Jesus into the depths of our being. If we let Him, He will work through us as wild yeast, establishing His kingdom everywhere. Relate to the Lord // Receive Jesus in the Eucharist at daily Mass this week.

June 20, 2026 // Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34  Reflect on the Word //  This year my oldest child will turn twenty-two years old. My youngest, the sixth, will be eleven. Many women without large families or older children often ask me about how I “do it all”: handle the teenage years, or feed four growing boys with bottomless stomachs. “One day at a time,” I often answer, “sometimes just one moment at a time!”  The more truthful answer (which I should use more often) is “by the grace of God.” The longer I’m a wife and a mother, the more I marvel at the work of God in my life. I’d have faltered terribly long ago without His grace. Today’s Gospel ends with a verse that I memorized decades ago, possibly in eighth grade: “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself” (Matthew 6:34). It appealed to me in a way I couldn’t express then, but enough that I committed the words to heart. At the time, I didn’t realize just how deeply rooted Jesus’ words would become. Jesus’ direction “do not worry about tomorrow” convicts me to stay focused on the present moment. Serving my family and doing only as much as today requires are plenty to occupy my mind. Worrying about the future adds unnecessary stress, prevents me from loving fully, and keeps me from trusting Jesus. In truth, worrying is exactly the opposite of what Jesus tells us to do. Worry prevents us from asking for, trusting in, and receiving God’s grace.  I’m reminded also of the words Jesus taught us to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (see Matthew 6:11). Just as God provided food for His people day by day in the desert, so He provides for me now. There is nothing more I could want or need; His grace is enough for today. The Lord knows we have many pressing concerns. Still He commands us to not worry about the future. When we place our needs in His hands, we grow in reliance on Him as the children we are. He will never fail to provide for what we need, one day at a time. Relate to the Lord // Have you been worrying lately? Tell Jesus and ask Him for the grace you need to trust Him today.

May 18, 2026 // Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter // Optional Memorial of Saint John I, Pope, Martyr Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 16:29-33  Reflect on the Word // I pulled into a parking spot and turned off my car, reaching for my phone to check voice memos. Alone on an errand, I finally had space to listen to my friend’s message. During a season of brokenness and sorrow, I needed her voice of reassurance. “Let’s look for little miracles each day. We’ll share them with each other and find hope together,” she said. We also agreed to seek Saint Josemaria Escriva’s intercession. His words, “Cling tightly to our Lord's hand and remember that God does not lose battles,” inspired us (Friends of God, 214). He became our go-to prayer warrior as we praised God for His work in our lives and petitioned Him to help us with our struggles. Saint Josemaria’s confidence in the Lord echoes Jesus’ own words from the Gospel. I imagine the scene: eleven of His most-trusted companions sitting together for Passover in the Upper Room, listening to Jesus teach them. Jesus’ life had been threatened; yet, He came to Jerusalem anyway. Some Apostles appear uneasy. “In the world you will have trouble,” Jesus says, and the Apostles’ heads nod in agreement. I, too, nod my head in agreement. So many troubles, Lord. Jesus continues, “. . . but take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). Every time I read the words, I exhale and release some stress. Jesus offers peace and tells me to have courage. Not anxiety, not fear, not self-pity. Courage, because He has already won all the battles. I’ve practiced a quiet kind of courage, actively looking for God’s work in my life, like my friend and I did. When I see God at work, I learn to trust His way. The more I trust, the more cooperative I am to follow where He leads me, and the closer I walk with Him.  Courage, I find, is clinging tightly to the Lord. Our lives may be messy and chaotic, doubts may threaten our faith, fears may steal our peace. But no troubles can undo Jesus’ work, ruin His plan, or overwhelm Him. Our Lord doesn’t lose battles, sister. He has already conquered the world. Let us take courage in Him. Relate to the Lord // Cling tightly to the Lord today. What might that look like?

April 25, 2026 // Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: 1 Peter 5:5b-14 Reflect on the Word // Knock, knock. The sound at the front door surprised me; we rarely had visitors and I wasn’t expecting a delivery. I opened my door to see a sister from the Blessed Is She community, with a warm smile and a hug to greet me. I’d recently poured my heart out about a struggle, and in response she showed up at my door with love and encouragement. Just when I needed it most, I felt seen, supported, and filled with hope.  Today’s First Reading is from Saint Peter’s letter to exiled believers. It’s easy to imagine this community feeling alone and uncertain in their faith, needing encouragement. I wonder if the letter was unexpected but timely, as my friend’s visit was. Surely the words offered hope to the community as they do for me now. As I read, “Cast all your worries on him for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7), I’m assured of God’s Fatherly love. I exhale deeply, actually releasing tension and offering today’s list of worries to Him.  With my tension lessened, I find I can read the letter more carefully. One verse in particular reveals more of God’s heart to me, increasing my hope. Even though my strength may falter, I need not fear: God Himself plans to carry out the work of restoring me to the fullness of life, which is eternal glory with Jesus in Heaven (see 1 Peter 5:10).  Sister, I don’t know the burden you carry today, but I know that the Father cares deeply for you. He sees you and knows you. Our Father can be trusted with our lives, and is already at work strengthening us and preparing us for eternal life with Him.  Relate to the Lord // Who can you encourage today?

March 5, 2026 // Thursday of the Second Week of Lent Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10  Reflect on the Word // That’s the truth, I muttered to myself when reading the verse “more tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) As a younger mother, I joked about wishing that my children came with user manuals; how easy it would be if I wasn’t guessing about their troubles but knew with certainty what they needed. I dream about how many arguments could be avoided, how much better I could love my family, how much sorrow I could avoid if I simply understood their hearts. My longing to understand has resulted in me reading dozens of books, bingeing podcasts, and consulting more-seasoned wives and mothers. When that knowledge doesn’t satisfy, it’s so easy to text a friend, venting about struggles in relationships. Yet not even the best psychologist or wisest woman can begin to truly understand—or explain—the human heart. As our Creator, God alone knows the hidden workings of hearts. A priest once reminded me to look to Jesus on the Cross, and learn from Him. As the Lord’s words to Jeremiah remind me today, “Blessed is the man who trusts the LORD, whose hope is the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:7). When I renew my trust in the Lord and seek His direction first, I find that He never fails to show me how to love. He is the best teacher of serving others patiently, listening compassionately, and forgiving readily. And when I plant myself beside His stream, His grace flows in and through me.  We may never understand each other’s hearts fully, sister, and we don’t need to. Looking to Jesus, the Lover of Souls, as our example, we’ll find the remedy to our frustrations. We can place our trust in Him, surrender our hearts to His, and let Him love through us.  Relate to the Lord // How have you been seeking solutions apart from Jesus? Instead, try turning to Him today when you have a question, frustration, or concern.

February 18, 2026 // Ash Wednesday Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Joel 2:12-18  Reflect on the Word // I stood in line at the coffee shop on my birthday, excitement building with the idea to buy a coffee for the woman behind me. The woman was surprised and smiled with her “thank you,” and I paid for her coffee. I don’t remember any gifts I received that day, but I fondly remember sharing the joy of my birthday by gifting a coffee on that cold morning. Today’s reading from Joel describes the Lord as “rich in kindness” (Joel 2:13). All my life, I’ve heard these same readings for Ash Wednesday. Not once before have I paid attention to that description of Him. This year, the words stopped me in my tracks.  What does it mean for the Lord to be rich in kindness? I wondered. His kindness is greater than buying a coffee for a stranger or any list of RAKs (random acts of kindness). Kindness is synonymous with compassion, graciousness, generosity, benevolence. Kindness comes from the heart, implies a relationship among people, and requires selfless action from one toward another. Of course the Lord is kind! His Sacred Heart burns with love for us. He sees us, knows our every need, gives endlessly of Himself to meet our needs and desires.  I experience the Lord’s kindness often: With every wildflower He delights my heart, with every Mass He nourishes my soul, with every breath He sustains my life with His love. His kindness is in the beauty of the world, the provisions for my life, the friendships I share. Every good thing in my life is a gift of God’s rich kindness. Reflecting on the Lord’s kindness can inspire us to live the pillars of Lent. With fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we respond to His love and share it with others. Fasting increases our hunger for God. Prayer opens our hearts to receive God’s love. Almsgiving allows us to generously give what we can to meet the needs of others, imitating God’s kindness. Relate to the Lord // How has the Lord been kind to you? Take inventory today.

January 7, 2026 // Optional Memorial of Saint Raymond of Penyafort, priest Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Mark 6:45-52  Reflect on the Word //  Tears welled in my eyes when I realized I’d hurt a loved one with a snap judgment, assuming—wrongly—that they were about to do something I didn’t like. I had jumped to prevent what I expected was coming, only to find I was so wrong about their intentions. I felt awful.  There are countless times that I thought I knew what was going on around me, made a quick assessment, and settled on a negative perception of a person or event. From those negative perceptions, I’ve made sweeping judgements, said critical things, and acted on false assumptions. I repeatedly confess these things, waiting for God’s grace to finally make a swift change in my heart.  Perhaps my heart isn’t too different from the disciples’ hearts in today’s Gospel. These men were devoted followers of Jesus. Yet something about fearing the wind and not understanding the incident of the loaves indicates their hardened hearts. I found this curious; fearing strong wind doesn’t seem to be hard-hearted, not at all like rejecting Jesus’ teaching about the Eucharist (see John 6) or Judas’ betrayal (see Matthew 26:47-50).  As I pondered this, I realized that fear and misunderstanding could point to a deeper issue: lack of trust in the goodness and providence of the Lord. When Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish for the five thousand, He provided for the crowd’s bodily needs. Hours later, the disciples let fear of the winds overcome them, lost sight of the Lord’s providence (doubting that He would protect them), and even failed to recognize Jesus, believing Him to be a ghost. They weren’t trusting in Him. Who sees their Beloved and thinks it’s a ghost? Someone who lets doubts and fears lead their thoughts towards negativity, someone who lacks trust. My own heart isn’t too different; it’s hardened by mistrust in my loved ones (and Jesus).   Sister, we need to look to Jesus again with trust, and ask Him to soften our hearts. No matter the storms we face, challenges with loved ones, or fears we may feel burdened by, He tells us to take courage.  Relate to the Lord // Where do you need courage? Share your need with the Lord and ask Him to provide.

December 26, 2025 // Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm: Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 Reflect on the Word // Overwhelmed by the world news as well as typical family life one night, I bounced from email to texts to emotional snacking before finally directing my anxious energy to the Lord. I turned on a calm worship playlist, lit an incense-scented candle, and breathed deeply. Into Your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You’re in control; lead me. The words “I commend my spirit” (Psalm 31:6) once made me think only of death. I probably associated this Psalm with Jesus’ dying words from the Cross: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). As a child, I didn’t understand the idea of a daily surrender to the Lord. Instead, I could only imagine myself uttering the words as a final prayer with my last breath, like Jesus did. A friend introduced me to the Surrender Novena, which includes the words, “Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything.” Perfect for all circumstances, I frequently whisper specific intentions throughout my day inspired by this prayer. It’s become my “Jesus, fix it!” prayer. It turns out that the Surrender Novena isn’t too different from Psalm 31:6. I no longer think of my last breath as the only time to commend my spirit to God; rather, I see that every offering of my self counts. Today and each day, I commend myself to the Lord.  Jesus, I surrender myself into Your hands, take care of everything. Take care of me as I face challenges. Take care of my relationships. Into Your hands, I place my plans; align them to Your will. Into Your hands, Lord . . . I give You everything. In today’s liturgy, we celebrate Saint Stephen, the first martyr. I like to imagine him as a man who knew and prayed often with the words of the Psalm: “Lead and guide me. [. . .] Into your hands I commend my spirit” (Psalm 31:4, 6). In imitation of Saint Stephen, we too can freely surrender to God’s will, commending our spirits to Him each day and at our death.  Relate to the Lord // Pray slowly and in faith,  Jesus, I surrender myself into Your hands, take care of everything.

November 17, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 18:35-43  Reflect on the Word //  “I’ve been polite in prayer. I feel like I’ve done my part and now it’s God’s turn,” she lamented.  “Keep making a commotion,” I said, partly in jest. “Jesus is on the way.” The young woman on the other side of the counter laughed, lightening the seriousness of the moment. I hoped she heard a reminder of the truth: Jesus was listening and working. This young woman was enduring a mental battle, fighting voices of doubt and worthlessness that tried to silence her prayers. She felt like God wasn’t responding. She wanted a miracle. I can’t help but see similarities between her doubts and longing for a miracle with the blind man who called out to Jesus in today’s Gospel. I imagine the blind man’s calls to Jesus caused a commotion. Realizing Who was approaching, he cried out for Jesus’ pity. Undeterred by those who tried to silence him, he kept calling to Jesus. Jesus heard him, and responded: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41) As God, Jesus already knew the man’s need and desire. Still He asked, desiring the man’s heart to open wide.  “Let me see” (Luke 18:41). The blind man could have asked for money or a meal. Instead, he asked for a life-changing miracle: the gift of sight. When I shared the (somewhat silly) idea to keep making a commotion, I hoped to encourage the young woman to boldly continue seeking a miracle, like the blind man did. When I told her Jesus is on the way, I hoped to deepen her faith that He hears and will answer in His time.  I want to encourage you, too, sister. While doubts may try to keep us in the dark and to silence us, doubt can’t stop Jesus. The gift of faith we’ve been given in Baptism will strengthen us to keep calling to Him in prayer. Jesus has a plan to meet our needs in big, beautiful ways as He did for the blind man. Relate to the Lord // Where do you need to make a commotion in prayer? Don’t give up. Tell Him what you desire. 

October 20, 2025 // Optional Memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest [In the Dioceses of the United States] Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 12:13-21  Reflect on the Word //  I read the date on the canned food; its “best by” date was in 2023. I tossed it, along with several other cans well past their prime. “What recipe did you buy that for, Mom?” my teens asked. I had no idea anymore. Too often I planned recipes to try, bought the special ingredients, and forgot about my plan, leaving the food unused.  It was embarrassing, throwing away neglected and expired food. This wasn’t the first time I made the mistake of over-buying or failing to follow through with a recipe, letting food waste away in my pantry. I felt like a fool. Jesus’ words in today’s parable hit my heart like an arrow: “[T]he things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?” (Luke 12:20) The food I purchased had nourished no one. It sat on my shelves for years. Those fancy ingredients and old canned goods were like the treasures the rich man stored for himself. Quite unintentionally, I had become like that foolish man, with “riches” stored only for myself. I realized I’m no better than the rich man; but I can be. The Lord calls me to be more and offers the grace to change. Regarding my pantry stores, it’s not hard to see how I can work on being “rich in what matters to God” (Luke 12:21). Feeding the hungry is a corporal work of mercy; feeding my family with the food I buy and donating more often to the local community will glorify God, storing riches in Heaven rather than on my shelves.  Jesus’ parable about the rich man is a call to action. He desires our generous love, sister. He calls us to love and glorify Him through serving others, performing works of mercy like feeding the hungry, as well as through our prayers. When we live this way, we will be rich in what matters to God.  Relate to the Lord // Where is the Lord inviting you to be generous today? 

September 30, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Zechariah 8:20-23 Reflect on the Word // “There’s a praise and worship night at the seminary on Saturday. Want to go?” The lunchtime Bible study was wrapping up when an upperclassman invited me to the off-campus event. I had no idea what it was, but since I wanted friends in college who cared more about their faith than about boozy parties, I unhesitatingly said, “Yes.”  Saturday arrived and a few of us drove together for an evening of Eucharistic Adoration with praise music. A casual reception afterwards allowed young adults from all over the diocese to continue in fellowship. My cup was filled that evening. I couldn’t wait to go back for more time with Jesus and more fellowship with young adults. I soon extended the invitation to others.  The prophet Zechariah, in today’s First Reading, spoke of people who would one day reach out to neighbors, inviting them to seek and implore the favor of the Lord (see Zechariah 8:21). Sister, you and I are those people. Through Baptism, we are called to witness to the Lord’s love and mercy. We are equipped with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to invite others to seek the Lord with us.  Perhaps the call to evangelize has caused you to shrink back a bit. It did for me. I imagined knocking on doors, standing on street corners with signs, or living in foreign countries to teach people about Jesus. Evangelizing can be like that, but it can also be simpler. Evangelizing begins where we are right now. Like Philip who invited his friend Nathanael—“Come and see” (see John 1:45-46)—our outreach can sound like: “Want to join me for Mass and then grab coffee afterwards?” “There’s a Bible study on campus I’m going to; would you like to join me?” “I’ll be praying for you through this difficult time. Can I bring a meal over this week?” “I’m having brunch at my house next week and would love it if you could come!” We’re made for community and we’re made for the Lord, and He wants us to seek Him together. Relate to the Lord // Where is the Lord calling you into community? How is the Lord calling you to Himself?  

July 23, 2025 // Optional Memorial of Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9 Reflect on the Word //  Last year I bought a packet of wildflower seeds, intending to plant them right away. Instead, I procrastinated on preparing the ground, tossed a few seeds into a pot, and later mourned when the Texas sun shriveled the plants I failed to water carefully.  This spring, I prepared a small patch in my backyard, scattered the seeds, covered them with soil, and praised Heaven when rain fell the same day. After the rain I watered faithfully, not wanting to repeat last year’s neglect. I had no idea which seeds were in the mix, how many of each type of flower, or if they would even grow. Imagine my delight when the seeds sprouted, filling the space with vibrant green leaves and stems, promising a beautiful spray of wildflowers (at the time of writing, they have yet to bloom). I continue to tend this small wildflower patch, watering when needed and pulling weeds that creep under the fence.  The Lord sows seeds in my life with greater regularity and care than I give my garden. He grows wildflowers around me every year without fail, even out of sidewalk cracks. Likewise, He sows in my life with His Word. Whenever I read the Bible, receive the Sacraments, or open my heart to Him in prayer, He scatters seeds in my life. Yet if my life has become overgrown with sin (weeds and rocks) or parched from lack of time in prayer, then the Word might not take root or live very long.  Our lives are gifts from the Lord: gifts He asks us to steward well by nurturing our bodies, minds, and souls. With care, the gardens of our lives will be like the rich soil, ready to burst into bloom with gifts and talents the Lord has chosen specifically for us. When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we bear spiritual fruit. Like my mixed wildflower seeds, we may not know what will bloom most, but we trust the Sower that He’s growing a beautiful work in our lives. Relate to the Lord // Where are you blooming in this season? What needs pruning? Ask the Sower to show you.  

June 5, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 17:20-26 Reflect on the Word // I used to struggle with lectio divina, a practice of reading, engaging with, and praying with Scripture. Once I even heard a suggestion to read the verses up to ten times in a row, day after day. No thanks, I thought, that will certainly make my eyes glaze over. I nearly gave up on lectio entirely that day.  Today is a different story. Often, I start with a simple request: Lord, show me what You want me to know today. Help me to know Your Heart through Your Word. I can’t tell you how many times I read today’s Gospel to really hear what He wanted to highlight. It was well worth it to discover the gift inside these verses, a gift of seeing the love of the Father and Jesus for me. Jesus prayed for me—and for you!—before His Passion: “I pray [. . .] also for those who will believe in me through their word” (John 17:20). Sister, we are “those who will believe” in Jesus through the teachings of the Church passed down from the Apostles, who heard Jesus pray these words in the Upper Room. I imagine Jesus praying ardently, seeing each one of us as He interceded for our oneness with Him, for our belief, and for us to know His glory.  What’s more, Jesus’ words reveal how much the Father loves each of us, when He prays that “the world may know that you [. . .] loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:23, emphasis mine). The Father loves us just as He loved Jesus. Remember the words at Jesus’ Baptism? “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). We, too, are beloved daughters of the Father, and He is so pleased when we turn to Him, open our hearts to Him, and follow Him as Jesus did.  We are so loved, sister. Loved by Jesus Who desires our oneness with Him, loved by the Father Who loves us as His daughters, loved by the Spirit Who opens our hearts to God’s love in the Word.  Relate to the Lord // Read the Gospel again today. What verse or word does the Holy Spirit highlight for you?  

May 20, 2025 // Tuesday of Fifth Week of Easter // Optional Memorial of Saint Bernardine of Siena, Priest Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Acts 14:19-28 Reflect on the Word //  Stoned, dragged out of the city, left for dead. Unspeakable suffering. Saint Paul had such a redemption story. Why did he have to die now, with so much potential ahead of him? Through wet, tear-blurred eyes, I read on, because the story wasn’t over. He got up. This part of the story perhaps should have made me gasp with joy: He’s not dead?! Paul lives! Oh, thank You, Jesus! But I’ve never once read the stories of Saint Paul with such an emotional investment. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I read the verses a few times before I recognized the miracles right under my nose. “But when the disciples gathered around him . . .” (Acts 14:20) For a man who’d not so long ago breathed murderous threats towards the disciples (see Acts 9:1) to now have members of the believing community surrounding him in love—is a miracle. I see now that the Lord changed not only Paul’s heart, but also softened the disciples’ hearts to embrace Paul as a fellow believer. And then “. . . he got up” (Acts 14:20). Paul wasn’t dead. He got up and continued the mission! I can’t manage to cook dinner with a headache, but Paul got up and continued to proclaim the Good News after being stoned almost to death. Incredible. So many times I’ve heard this story without paying attention to the gift of Paul’s friends, to the wonder of the Holy Spirit active in the disciples’ lives. I wonder how much more I have missed, how many miracles and redemption stories around me go unnoticed.  The Lord wants us to begin to see His redemption at work in every Confession, to treasure the gift of friends who lift us up in prayer and don’t give up, to feel the power of His grace which helps us stand amidst suffering. He wants to open our eyes and our hearts to His everyday miracles so that we don’t miss the joy of seeing His work in our lives, so that we will have the strength like Paul to undergo the “many hardships” necessary “to enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Relate to the Lord // What small sacrifice can you make today for the love of Christ?  

March 20, 2025 // Thursday of the Second Week of Lent Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 Reflect on the Word //  Confession: The Responsorial Psalms used to be my least favorite part of the Mass. I didn’t like the musical settings, didn’t appreciate the repetition, and certainly didn’t grasp the riches in the words.  I couldn’t hear the Lord’s voice for me in the Psalms. Of course He was always speaking, gently and patiently pouring His love over me week in and week out. All those years I spent daydreaming at Mass, I didn’t even notice how He tenderly planted seeds in my heart, doing hidden work to form me.  “Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked [. . .] But delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). I’m still prone to distracted thoughts in my adulthood, but living in imitation of the “blessed man” of Psalm 1 keeps me focused on “what is above, where Christ is” (Colossians 3:1).  The Lord isn’t asking me to meditate on His law in order to become an academic expert, nor has He invited me into a religious community (I’m married with children). The invitation, rather, is to make knowledge of God and His law a part of my life, to let it form me from the inside out as I grow more into the woman God made me to be.  In whatever way our daily lives take shape—with academics, work, caring for family—we can delight in God’s law and meditate on it. It can be as simple as choosing one verse to ponder, allowing those words to root in our souls. Our lives can be changed with this simple habit. This is why we’re blessed to meditate upon the law day and night, especially with the Psalms. We’re blessed because the Lord speaks love and life into our souls. He renews our true identity as His beloved daughters, made imago Dei—in the image of God. The Lord invites us to turn fully to Him, because our restless hearts will find their delight and rest in Him alone. Relate to the Lord // (Re)Read today’s Psalm. What verse will you meditate on today?  

February 11, 2025 // Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel from the Optional Memorial: John 2:1-11 Reflect on the Word //  I was a young fiancée finishing my undergraduate degree when I was given an assignment to write a biblical exegesis (an analysis of the text). With all things wedding and marriage on my mind that year, I gravitated towards this Gospel passage of the Wedding at Cana, the starry-eyed romantic in me loving the idea of Jesus at a wedding. Even though I dove in looking for what I wanted—Jesus’ celebration of and blessings upon marriage—Jesus gently revealed a different part of the story to me then, and still does every time I read this story of the Wedding at Cana. Jesus, You have been so kind to me every time I read about Your first public miracle. How grateful I am that You shared my excitement about my upcoming wedding, and also started to prepare my heart for a deeper relationship with Your Mother and You. The way Your Blessed Mother shows her love and care for us by directing the servants to You makes me desire her help in my life. I don’t know if the newlywed couple was aware that the wine had run out during their celebration. I also don’t know how Mary knew, but she noticed that detail and cared about the couple’s situation so much that she brought it to Jesus’ attention. Her words, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5), must have been encouraging to the servants, who trusted and heeded Jesus’ direction. It consoles me to consider how much Mary cares for details and how she brings our needs to Jesus. Her words to the servants echo in my heart often, encouraging me to trust Jesus now, and to not be afraid to live as He directs. Mary, encouraged by the way you interceded at Cana, I entrust my heart and life to you. Bring my needs to Jesus’ Sacred Heart. Pray for me to follow Him in trust as the servants did.  The Blessed Mother cares for our joy. She cares about the provision in our lives. As Queen of Heaven, she already knows our needs and desires our holiness.  Relate to the Lord // On this feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, ask her to intercede for your intentions and the needs of our time. 

January 1, 2025 //  Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and the Octave Day of Christmas (Holy Day of Obligation) Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 Reflect on the Word // “Those teens!!” I groaned, exasperated about their ability to misunderstand details of a story to the point of getting the facts wrong, which then resulted in several people upset for no reason. In hindsight, it was an insignificant situation. Yet this Story That Teens Got Wrong Again illustrates something important about listening to and sharing stories: I either get the story right, or I don’t.  The Christmas narrative is so familiar to me that my eyes glide right over the words, too fast to let my heart soak in a deeper message. It’s so familiar after forty-plus years of hearing the story that I nearly have the words to Luke’s infancy narrative memorized. Or do I? I wonder if I would get the details just right if I was in a position to proclaim the Good News to someone who’d never heard it.  Am I able to listen and tell as the shepherds did? They “made known the message that had been told them” (Luke 2:17) and “returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them” (Luke 2:20, emphasis mine). Just as it had been told to them. No more, no less.  I want to listen to Your Word, Lord, as carefully as the shepherds did—with ears of faith and a heart filled with joy, and fully attentive down to the smallest detail. When You call on me to act, I want to pay attention and do what You ask, just as the Mother of God heeded the angel when naming Jesus, eight days after His birth.  The Holy Spirit will guide us to witness as the shepherds, to listen with attentive ears and to share with truth-filled words. We, too, can give glory to God when we share all we’ve heard and seen of God’s love and goodness, just as it has been told to us. Relate to the Lord // Revisit the Nativity story in today’s Gospel. Allow the Lord to highlight something new and meditate on it today.