December 4, 2025 // Optional Memorial of Saint John of Damascus, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm from the Memorial of Saint John of Damascus: Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Reflect on the Word //
Words.
I am surrounded by words. And whose words they are matters more than I'd ever taken the time to notice.
I wake up and groggily meander to our kitchen for my morning cup of coffee. The mug I grab reads "full of grace" and I smile as the Lord’s words greet me. I plop down in my prayer chair, open the daily Readings and His words meet me again in the present moment. I sense my body relax further into my chair as my mind lets go of the to-dos, worries, and distractions. His words really are “more precious than gold” and sweeter than syrup or honey (Psalm 19:11); all of me experiences this truth. Our day begins and we're on the go. A song plays on my playlist, and the lyrics echo within my car. I scroll social media and am surrounded by words. So many words.
I feel the tension in my body, heart, and mind rise from the day’s exposure to so many words. And the words keep coming as my day carries on. Words and more words—the stream is endless.
"Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life” (John 6:63).
I am reminded to turn to God's Word within my day-to-day, to check in with myself about what I am consuming and from where or whom.
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint John of Damascus, who was an avid proponent of iconography—an art form that serves as a window to heaven, making known the invisible by way of the visible. God calls each of us to be an "icon," to reflect God's Word, Spirit, and life into the world today.
He wants His Word to be our refuge, so that it may guide our words, accompanying us throughout the ebbs and flows of each day, anchoring us in and through all things regardless of what each day brings. He wants His Word to be our Spirit and life today—that we may breathe Him in in order to breathe Him out.
Relate to the Lord // What words from the Lord in the daily Readings will you cherish in your heart today?
Shalini Blubaugh is a Minnesota transplant living in Coppell, Texas. She served with NET Ministries and went on to graduate with her J.D., though happily left all things law behind. Along with her roles as wife and mom, she now runs her own company, Pray. Train. Grow., as a Certified Fitness Trainer and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Her mission is to help Catholic women grow STRONG in mind, body, and heart through the integration of Faith, fitness and food.
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