September 23, 2026 // Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Proverbs 30:5-9

Reflect on the Word // 

In the months leading up to my entrance to the convent, I gave up coffee. Convinced that religious Sisters never touch it, I stopped my coffee habit cold turkey, bravely offering up the caffeine withdrawal headaches and feeling incredibly heroic. 

As it turned out, coffee was the first gift Jesus gave back to me. I quickly learned that Sisters don’t even pretend to function without coffee, and lots of it. Thank goodness, because I would never have made it through the community’s 5:30 a.m. meditation without it. 

It’s a lesson the Lord continues to teach me, more than a decade after my period of discernment in the convent came to an end: true spiritual poverty does not look the way we think it should. It’s not about limiting our belongings, starving ourselves, or going barefoot in the snow. Rather, it means standing with open hands and an open heart to receive whatever He chooses to give each day. Today’s First Reading puts this spirit of poverty into words, begging God, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need” (Proverbs 30:8).

We are not in control. Our possessions—houses, cars, clothing, savings and retirement accounts, even our time—give us the illusion of control, but it’s only that: an illusion. Everything we have comes from Him. He is in control, and He promises that He is “a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5). Jesus wants His followers to believe this so completely that we drop the illusion and simply let Him provide. Thus He boldly sends out His disciples with the order to “take nothing for the journey” (Luke 9:3). The hairs on their heads have all been counted; God will give them all they need. 

He will do the same for us. Whatever burden of worry we are carrying today, sister, He wants us to lay it down at His feet and to ask Him for the grace to trust in His generous provision. He knows exactly what we need, and He cares for us and wants to give us every good thing. 

Relate to the Lord // Ask Jesus what He desires for you to offer to Him today.