October 28, 2026 // Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22 

Reflect on the Word // 

When my kids were small, we lived in an amazing neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. There were many young families in our parish, and we all lived within walking distance. These were truly beautiful, special years in our life—strollers parked in the back of church every Sunday, walking to the park to chat while the kids played, meeting up to discuss books and life, celebrating liturgical seasons together and learning how to cultivate rich faith traditions in our homes.

In today’s First Reading, Saint Paul says, “You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20). The community we built in our parish, because it was rooted in Christ, became our spiritual home. We belonged. And because of that, even as people moved away, our friendships remained strong. We continue, even years later, to turn to each other in joy and sorrow, for support and encouragement, because we know the Spirit dwells among us.

This remains in my mind and heart as my children grow older. I pray all the time that Jesus will be present in our home and in our relationships with each other. My prayer is that our home will be such a powerful “dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (see Ephesians 2:22) that even when my kids have grown up and moved out, they will know their identity in Christ and in our family. 

What if we made it our business to make sure everyone in our parish had the opportunity to feel that same sense of safety and belonging? I can imagine what the world would look like if each follower of Christ knew their membership in the household of the Lord, not just theoretically, but through the radical love of intentional, in-person love and community. It would look a lot like holding one another up and growing together into “a temple sacred in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21). 

Relate to the Lord // Think of one concrete way you can help someone feel welcomed at your parish this Sunday. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you.