You are Free

Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31–5:1

Brothers and sisters:
It is written that Abraham had two sons,
one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman.
The son of the slave woman was born naturally,
the son of the freeborn through a promise.
Now this is an allegory.
These women represent two covenants.
One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery;
this is Hagar.
But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother.
For it is written:
Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children;
break forth and shout, you who were not in labor;
for more numerous are the children of the deserted one
than of her who has a husband.
Therefore, brothers and sisters,
we are children not of the slave woman
but of the freeborn woman.

For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm
and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5a, 6-7

R. (see 2) Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Who is like the LORD, our God,
who looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Alleluia Psalm 95:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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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.

October 12, 2026 // Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31–5:1

Reflect on the Word //

I sat down at the dinner table. The clanging of a spoon against the plate provoked a paternal reprimand at the table, as the toddler attempted to remind us that it was time to actually begin supper. I expressed my gratitude for this beautiful family hosting me as the blessing of the meal was prayed all together.

The different courses began to be shuffled from one adult to the next. The child playing serenely sat back in confidence of provision as his plate grew fuller. We started to eat and the storytelling began. An announcement was made that it was time for dessert and I asked if I could get a second helping of one of the scrumptious side dishes. The toddler looked at me with a smile on his face and said, “Sure you can, you’re free.”

We all burst out laughing, but the toddler kept straight-faced, confused as to what the adults found to be so funny. He stated matter of factly, “But she is! She’s free to.” Driving away from this beautiful home later that evening, I began to reflect on my day and that hysterically moving experience. The clarity and purity of this child revealed to me something of the certain faith that Paul must have had when he proclaimed, “For freedom, Christ has set us free. So stand firm” (Galatians 5:1). This son was at home in the providence of his family. Anticipating the simple joys to come, he moved in lock-step with the rhythm his parents set out for his literal sustenance.

The Father wants us to follow the ways of His commands, so that we can delight in the freedom that comes from being His sons and daughters. The Lord delights in us, over us, and through us. He rejoices in our freedom and longs for us to rejoice too and make our desires known in Him. Rooted in the clarity of Jesus being the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we stand firm in the goodness of His love.

Relate to the Lord // Make a list today of the ways in which God has provided for your sustenance–let it move you to live in trust and freedom of heart.

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About Senite Sahlezghi

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Senite Sahlezghi is a consecrated virgin for the Archdiocese of Denver. Native to Colorado, she is a first generation Eritrean American, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s in Counseling Psychology, and serves as the School Counselor for St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School. Grateful to be in a place surrounded by mountains and live music, the greatest privilege of her life remains being called to be Christ’s bride.