October 14, 2026 // Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time // Optional Memorial of Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 11:42-46 

Reflect on the Word // 

I was pulling staples out of the subflooring while my teenage sons loosened nailstrips from the old carpeting. Weeks into our home-improvement project, this was the first time they were involved in the early stages of renovations. Even though they’d heard my husband describe the steps to prepare for the new floor, my sons hadn’t seen how it worked. They know how to follow directions and use the simple tools but, without seeing a demonstration, they might have made avoidable mistakes and become frustrated, perhaps even giving up. 

Today’s Gospel came to mind as I worked with my sons. I could have stood above my boys while they worked, giving them directions without an example. I could have left them alone after telling them what to do. I could have left them with the burden of figuring out how to do what was expected.

As I continued to pull up staples and give tips to my boys, I thought of the scholars and Pharisees who did not lift a finger to help the people (see Luke 11:46). Connections fell into place in my mind: As I worked side by side with my sons, I eased their burden of learning and working alone. The scholars and Pharisees could have engaged more with the people rather than merely imposing burdens with the law. They could have learned from Jesus, discovering the Heart of God rather than neglecting Him (see Luke 11:42). And I thought about Jesus, Who shouldered the burden of our sins during His Passion. 

Jesus’ Incarnation is the ultimate example to us. He became Man to share in the joys and sorrows of this life, to show us how to love and serve. He did more than “lift one finger” (Luke 11:46). Through His Passion, Jesus spent every last drop of His life. 

Relate to the Lord // Name one joy and one sorrow on your heart today. Ask Jesus to shoulder the burdens and to show you how He rejoices with you in your joys.