October 16, 2025 // Optional Memorial of Saint Hedwig, Religious // Optional Memorial of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm Psalm 130:1-6
Reflect on the Word //
“Storage is full.” My heart dropped at the message covering my screen. I had just recorded the perfect video, finally, after a month full of attempts at recording. Previous sessions had been foiled by loud-talking teens, A/C units that kicked in unexpectedly, barking dogs, leaf blowers, garbage trucks, and even a firetruck—and now a storage issue. I felt as if I was never going to get the two-minute video finished before the deadline. Taking a deep breath, I shut it off, and walked away.
The next morning, I headed to Mass and stayed for Confession. I had been making this whole project more about me, and less about Him. Returning home, I swapped the academic background for a white wall, put on a simple black blouse, ditched the notes, spoke from the heart and trusted the Lord to give me the words.
And in six minutes I was done.
The prayers of today’s Psalm are more of a goal for me rather than a statement of my daily approach. I desire to trust more deeply in the Lord, I want my soul to trust in His word, I long to exchange my impatience for attentive expectation of His arrival. But I still have a tendency to over-complicate things. My desire for perfection often means grasping tightly to over-control things, leaving little room for the Holy Spirit to operate. I plan, I perfect, but I often forget the most important ingredient—grace.
Everything we do as Catholics emanates from that place of grace. We receive grace in prayer and we open our receptivity when we are free from sin. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift given to us, and when frequented this gift helps us to live in closer unity with the Lord. His grace provides for us. If you haven’t been to Confession recently, I encourage you to do so this week. Make grace a priority, receive God’s mercy and love, and grow in your trust and docility to the Spirit.
Relate to the Lord // When will you go to Confession this week/month?
Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a writer, national speaker, and podcast host covering topics in psychology and faith. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and works at the important intersection of faith and developmental science, blending them in the original harmony God intended. Dr. Mary Ruth is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God's Beloved Daughter, and co-coauthor of Spiritual Discernment for Beginners: Learning to Hear God and Defeat the Lies of the Enemy. She is a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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