Clinging to the Promise

Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Job 1:6-22

One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, "Whence do you come?"
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
"From roaming the earth and patrolling it." 
And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?"
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
"Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face."
And the LORD said to Satan,
"Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person."
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
"The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
"Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
"The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
"Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,

"Naked I came forth from my mother's womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!"

In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.
 

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7

R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; 
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
 

Alleluia Mark 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 

Gospel Luke 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest. 
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest."

Then John said in reply, 
"Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name 
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company."
Jesus said to him, 
"Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."
 

- - -

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.

Clinging to the Promise

September 29, 2026 // Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 1:47-51

I had just left the convent after a year of postulancy, officially closing a long period of discerning religious life. My whole world was rocked yet I knew I had to leave the enclosure I had fought so hard to enter. In that season of breakthrough and broken plans, I still had a deep sense there was more that the Lord had in store for me. It would be a different life than the one I had expected, but good things were coming. 

When Jesus says to Nathanael, “You will see greater things than this“ (John 1:50), I knew then and still know now that He is also speaking to me. When I am in the thick of difficulty, transitions, grief, loss, and yes, even great highs, I cling to this promise of Christ. I behold His glory in greater measure the longer that I walk with Him, that I pursue His intentions, that I seek to understand in my depths His profound knowledge and love for me. 

When I ask the Lord with Nathanael, “How do you know me?“ (John 1:48), He reveals to me the figurative fig trees I’ve sat under—pondering His presence, questioning His motives, convincing my heart to trust even when I cannot see the sky opened with angels just yet (see John 1:51). And I know at that moment that He knows me. This knowledge carries me through the days when it is cloudy and I cannot see the glory, when the vision of angels seems like a taunt more than a promise. 

Sister, the Lord has our good in mind. He sees us where we are seated, wondering what is to come, and He speaks to us the promise He made to Nathanael: You will see greater things. Follow after Me, cling to Me. I will open the heavens for you, you will see miracles, and you will see Me. 

Relate to the Lord // When have you seen God’s plans unfold differently and even better than your own?

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