August 19, 2026 // Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time // Optional Memorial of Saint John Eudes, priest Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 Reflect on the Word //  I opened up my mailbox and excitedly pulled out the envelope addressed to me. My joy deflated a little as I realized it was a wedding invitation from my friend who was getting married to the guy I secretly had a crush on. I was happy for her and knew they made a great couple, but I was sad for me. I couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong with me. Why was I left on the sidelines and not a chosen one? Eventually, I found the man who would choose me, and I thanked God for His abundant blessings.  In today’s Gospel passage, we read about the laborers who worked in the vineyard for different lengths of time. In the past, I automatically sympathized with the day laborer and his perceived injustice for receiving the same wages as those who worked very little in comparison. But today, my heart related to the evening laborers who experienced Jesus’ words, “The last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16).  I pictured the unemployed laborers loitering in the marketplace and others standing around waiting to be hired, hope draining as the daylight diminished. Were they worried because they really needed the pay? Did they question why they weren’t chosen as a laborer? When they finally heard the call to go work in the vineyard, they must have been relieved that they’d at least have a little pay to bring home. Imagine their surprise upon receiving a full day's wages. Gratitude must have filled their hearts at the landowner’s generosity. How often have we felt like others have been chosen, while we’re left on the sidelines? When in reality, we each have our own unique mission that only we can do. Or how often has God been generous with us, not giving us what we deserve, but abundantly blessing us with His love and mercy? Let’s turn our hearts to Him in gratitude for the blessings we take for granted and, without comparing ourselves to others, go where He leads us with humility and courage.  Relate to the Lord // Ponder your chosenness. How have you been especially loved, chosen, and blessed by God? 

June 17, 2026 // Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm: Psalm 31:20, 21, 24 I drove away from the hospital in a daze as I headed back to my dad’s house. My heart was weary with grief. This was the second time cancer touched my life. First my husband battled it (and thankfully won). Now, my mom was battling it, but she was not going to be spared. Despite all of our prayers, my mom would pass away within days. As I drove, the song “King of My Heart” by Bethel Music came on the radio, and the lyrics’ repeated reminder that God is good challenged my heart.  In today's Responsorial Psalm we hear, “Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:25), and it brings me back to that moment in the car. I remember praying, But how can I hope when my heart is breaking, Lord? How can I believe in Your goodness when You are allowing my mom to die too soon? I can see no good.  Yet the Psalm assures us, “The Lord keeps those who are constant” (Psalm 31:24). Was my love for God constant? Or did I only love Him when things were going well? I made a decision in the car that day. I sang along with those lyrics, affirming God’s infinite goodness, and I sobbed. Even though I was in such pain and it made no human sense, I was going to trust and take comfort in Him.  To this day, when I’m struggling or overwhelmed, I enter back into that moment of prayer. I beg for the grace to remain constant and recall how He never abandoned me and how He held me up when I was weak. That moment continues to strengthen me and give me hope. When we are struggling in life, it’s good to think back to moments when God spoke to our hearts or moved in our lives. Perhaps it was through the Sacraments and Scripture, or even through a song, a movie, nature, or the encouragement of a friend. These are reminders that God is good and is always seeking ways to draw us closer to Him.  Relate to the Lord // How has God spoken to your heart recently? Rest in that grace again.

April 17, 2026 // Friday of the Second Week of Easter Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 6:1-15 Reflect on the Word //  I looked at my husband and nodded my head in agreement, despite my fear and apprehension. We had decided to pull our son out of the Catholic high school he was attending. He was having some mental health issues and homeschooling was a better option as he continued to get the care he needed. However, the daunting task of having three sons in three different schools and juggling all the activities and needs of each, along with the demands of homeschooling, seemed like more than I could handle. I knew God would have to provide me with the means to get it all done.   In the Gospel of John, the Apostles were in a situation in which they were unable to solve a problem on their own. When Jesus saw a large crowd approaching, He asked Philip how they would feed the people (see John 6:5). The disciples knew that they didn’t have enough money to buy that much food and that the small amount of loaves and fishes available wouldn’t be enough to feed everyone. I can imagine the Apostles looking expectantly at Jesus, waiting for Him to explain how He’d solve the problem. Instead Jesus simply told them to have the people recline. Did the disciples look at each other and silently wonder: And then what? There must have been uncertainty as to how their impossible situation would be resolved. However, Jesus was not uncertain. He knew exactly what He was going to do. He blessed the meager loaves and fishes, and as they passed the food around, it multiplied to amounts even greater than they needed.  Jesus challenged the Apostles to remain faithful and follow His instructions, despite not knowing how the problem would be solved. We’ve all experienced times when we didn’t know the answer or felt completely unqualified to accomplish something. Our challenge is to discern and then take the next best step, trusting that God will lead and provide where we are lacking. Like the loaves, He takes what little we have and accomplishes marvelous deeds.  Relate to the Lord // Where do you need to lean into the Lord’s leadership and provision? Identify your place of need and ask Him what’s next.

February 25, 2026 // Wednesday of the First Week in Lent Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 Reflect on the Word // My mom looked at me with a furrowed brow and skeptical gaze. We were talking about marriage and commitment, and she wasn’t worried about my boyfriend staying faithful to me, but about me staying faithful to him. She knew how much work a relationship took and that I had a tendency to be impulsive and flighty. She wondered if I would have the fortitude to be faithful during the good and bad times.  Part of me was insulted, but another part of me knew it was a valid concern from a mother’s heart. However, that boyfriend is now my husband of twenty-six years, and I have remained faithful and steadfast because I was motivated by love and strengthened by God’s grace.  In today’s Responsorial Psalm, we pray, “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me” (Psalm 51:10). This is my constant prayer because I know I can be self-serving and fickle in my relationship with God if I am not careful.      When I close my eyes and pray, I imagine Jesus looking at me. I smile at Him but then notice something over his shoulder and I’m distracted and look away from Him. With a gentle touch on my chin, Jesus gently turns my head back to Him. He knows me and my tendencies. He never tires of turning my gaze back to Him. As I grow in my relationship with our Lord, my desire to keep my gaze on Him grows, also motivated by love and strengthened by His grace.  This Lent is the perfect time to examine what things are hindering us from having a clean heart that desires God above all else. Spending time with our Lord in prayer, reading Scripture, and receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist will draw us closer to God and serve to renew a steadfast spirit within us. Let this be the moment that we allow Jesus to turn our gaze back to Him. Relate to the Lord // Spend some time in imaginative prayer today simply looking at Jesus. What do you see? What do you feel? What do you say to each other?

December 12, 2025 // Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 1:26-38  Reflect on the Word // I stepped out of the shop with a stack of paper that still felt warm from the copying machine. Back in the 90s, before blogs and social media, people would self publish zines, usually photocopied low-budget mini-magazines. I had just printed out my first issue, which was a collection of writing, music/concert reviews, and commentary about living a Christian Catholic life. After years away from God, I had recently come back to the faith. I named the zine Handmaid because it was inspired by the Scripture in today’s Gospel reading.  In the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, we read about the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary and explaining God’s plan for her life. It was no wonder that she was troubled as she tried to wrap her head around the situation. Besides the logistics, did she wonder about how Joseph would take the news? Would he even believe her? What about her family? I can only imagine the interior turmoil.  Yet, when the dust settled only one thing was certain in Mary’s heart: that she loved God and she trusted Him completely. With humility, she utters her beautiful words, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:28). I love that verse so much, but have I let it become a title of a zine or a motto on a coffee mug, rather than the way I live my life? Too often I’ve complained or given God my unsolicited opinion about how my life should be unfolding, instead of asking for the grace to humbly trust in Him.  Today’s Gospel invites us to examine our lives and see if there is an area we’re trying to tightly control or have a situation that is leaving us utterly stressed. We can stop and take a breath and whisper, “I am the handmaid of the Lord,” trusting that God will not leave us alone and that He’ll give us the strength to go where He leads and the courage to act as He wills. Relate to the Lord // Today, regularly stop and take a breath and whisper with our Lady, “I am the handmaid of the Lord.”

October 27, 2025 // Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Romans 8:12-17  Reflect on the Word //  I drove into our driveway and heaved a sigh of relief. My husband wasn’t home yet. It had been a rough week, and I decided to treat myself to a coffee and a trip to the store to browse the fall decor. That always lifted my spirits! However, unloading my bags of goodies, I felt guilty. Did I really need all this fall decor when I already had bins of them? Frankly, no, and it was becoming a pattern. In today’s First Reading, Saint Paul writes: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Romans 8:15). What does that mean for me, Lord? How do I fall back into a spirit of slavery? Asking the Holy Spirit to open my eyes, the answer crystallized. It’s when I look to outside things to bring me comfort before I turn to God. My go-tos are shopping, eating, binge watching, etc. Of themselves, these aren’t bad things (if you moderated the binge), but when I’m stressed and anxious, I tend to run to these first for immediate comfort and to mask what I am feeling.  God asked my heart, Why do you not come to Me, my daughter? Dwell in my mercy. Allow Me to comfort you. Deep in my heart I knew this, but I needed the reminder. When I go to Him first and refresh myself in His presence, then I can enjoy the simple pleasures of a good meal or favorite show without an inordinate attachment to them.  Is there a spirit of slavery in your life? Maybe it’s a sinful habit that has taken root or something that’s innately good, but has become an obstacle in deepening your spiritual life. The Holy Spirit wants to enlighten our hearts, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We are daughters of God called to live in the freedom of His love and not in a spirit of slavery.  Relate to the Lord // Ask the Lord to reveal any disordered attachments (something you turn to or rely on instead of Him). Ask Him for the grace to turn to Him today. 

September 15, 2025 // Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 19:25-27 Reflect on the Word //  My heart ached when I saw the tears in my son’s eyes. He had already been going through a rough year, and now he had to deal with teenage drama. Someone whom he thought was his friend had hurt him and he was feeling the pain of the betrayal. As his mom, I had two main emotions: heartbreak at seeing my son in pain and anger at the person who caused the pain. When my heart breaks for my children or I am having a hard time forgiving, I think of today’s Gospel reading about our Lady standing at the Foot of the Cross (see John 19:25). I can only imagine the grief that Mother Mary must have felt during Jesus’ Passion. On the road to Calvary, did Mary recall how Jesus used to toddle around as a baby, but now He was falling under the weight of the Cross? Was Mary thinking of His sweet smile that was now hidden on His bruised and bloody face? Did she close her eyes and cry out to God when His hands, which once held hers, were torn open by nails? Yet, despite her anguish, Mary did not leave Jesus’ side. She bore the pain with Him. When Jesus spoke to Mary in regards to John, saying, “Behold, your son” (John 19:27), she willingly accepted her role as Mother, not only to John, but to all of us. She didn’t become angry or hold a grudge towards the people who sent her Son to the Cross. Instead she forgave and loved, just as Jesus taught her.  How fortunate we are to have such a loving intercessor! When we are struggling with sorrow, missing the love of a mom, or grappling with forgiveness, we have a heavenly Mother who is eager to intercede, comfort us, and help redirect us back to her Son.   Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Relate to the Lord // Share your sorrows with Our Lady of Sorrows today and ask for her loving intercession.  

July 2, 2025 // Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34 Reflect on the Word //  I woke up with puffy eyes and a slight headache, yet there was a smile on my lips. I recalled how the night before I had fallen to my knees and wept, because my life had strayed so far from God, and I couldn’t live with the emptiness any longer. It was a turning point in my life and the beginning of my return to God and the deepening of my faith. As days passed, I started making changes and distancing myself from friends and situations that were keeping me from living my new life in Christ.  In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew, we witnessed two people who experienced the transforming power of Jesus. The Apostles must have felt fear as they approached the tombs knowing that people avoided this area, because the demoniacs were so fierce. Yet Jesus stood there unflinching. They had no hold on Him. Knowing this, the demons begged, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine" (Matthew 8:31). And Jesus did so.  The noise and chaos of the situation must have been incredible, but as the dust swirled and people yelled, the two persons rescued from the demons were processing what just happened to them. We can imagine how they looked to Jesus and saw His tender smile and felt the power of His mercy. When they saw the townspeople running toward Jesus, they must have been confused when the city pleaded with Jesus to leave, instead of rejoicing in their transformation. Unfortunately, the crowd was more concerned about the swine they lost than the two human persons healed.  Each day God is guiding us and forming us. This is especially true when He is doing great things or healing broken parts of our hearts. Our lives become different. It requires us to let go of things that we’ve become overly attached to or things that keep us away from fully embracing His love and His will. Healing takes sacrifice as we surrender everything to Him. But in the end, it is worth the battle, as we become transformed anew in Christ. Relate to the Lord // Pray on your knees today and ask for the grace to surrender everything to Him.

May 29, 2025 // Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter // Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord [In Ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Omaha, Philadelphia] Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel from the Sixth Thursday of Easter: John 16:16-20 Reflect on the Word // I looked at the older boy on the playground and tried to understand why some of the kids were shocked or snickered at a phrase he said. It didn't make sense to me. Later that day I asked my mom what the phrase meant. She looked at my young, innocent self and told me that it was something inappropriate and she’d explain more when I was older. I was dissatisfied with the answer, but went back to playing, trusting that she knew what was best for me. As I grew older there have been countless times when I wanted to know the answer to something but had to settle for not fully comprehending what was happening.  Similarly, in today’s Gospel during the Last Supper, Jesus is preparing the Apostles for things to come as His death approaches. He says, “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me” (John 16:16). It’s a confusing statement, as reflected in the Apostles' reaction. They murmur to themselves and ask, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what He means” (John 16:17). Jesus listens to them, but doesn’t clarify. Was it because they weren’t ready to know the whole story? Instead, He considers their coming grief and anguish, and He gives them words that don’t make sense now, but will in the future: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy” (John 16:21). How many times have we sought answers or didn’t understand what God was doing with our lives? Like the Apostles, we sat confused, wishing Jesus would make His meaning clear. But God knows our hearts. He knows when it’s best to give clear answers and when to wait and challenge us so we can learn to better trust in Him. We can take comfort in knowing that God lovingly knows our hearts, and in time, our grief shall also turn to joy.   Relate to the Lord // Do you believe your grief will turn to joy in Jesus? Talk to Him about it.  

March 6, 2025 // Thursday after Ash Wednesday Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 9:22-25   Reflect on the Word //  “Have you ever considered a religious vocation?” my mom inquired. I froze. I was in my early twenties and a little boy crazy. I wanted a husband and children. Although I loved God, the thought of giving that up was too much. However, I agreed to attend a six-week discernment summer program (with the preconceived notion that I didn’t have a religious vocation). It didn’t end as I imagined.  Today’s Gospel brings me back to the feelings of that summer. The Apostles had just witnessed Jesus multiply the loaves and fish and heard Peter declare that Jesus was the Christ (see Luke 9:10-17, 20). They must have been on a high seeing the miraculous power of Jesus. Perhaps they imagined the honor they’d receive having been chosen by Him. Then Jesus drops the bomb, explaining that He must suffer, be rejected, and be killed before rising (see Luke 9:22). Furthermore, He proclaims, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I can imagine their confusion, wondering why Jesus would subject Himself to suffering and then expect the Apostles to do the same.  I felt that same confusion considering a religious vocation. How could giving up everything I desired make me happy? Yet Jesus quietly pursued my heart. Whether in the chapel, walking the grounds, or even cleaning the bathrooms, He stood close and waited for me. By the end of summer, I longed to consecrate my life to Him. Ultimately, it wasn’t my calling to be a religious, but Jesus needed me to completely surrender myself in order for me to find a new life in Him. Jesus is still doing that today. He still calls me to completely surrender myself to Him. He is calling and pursuing each of us, in our home, at school, and at our work. He’s asking us to accept all the little crosses of our days and to surrender ourselves to Him so we can draw closer to His heart and live a new life in Him.  Relate to the Lord // How has Jesus been pursuing your heart lately? Pay attention to His love today.  

January 2, 2025 // Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 1:19-28 Reflect on the Word//  I impatiently tapped on the steering wheel and stared at the numerous red tail lights ahead of me. As I sat in traffic, my mind was going over the list of numerous things I had to get done that day. As traffic started to clear, I was nearing the offramp for one of our local churches and I felt a small voice say, Will you come visit Me?  I responded, Lord, You know I love You, but I just don’t have time. I’m already stressed out and adding another item to my list will only make it worse. But I could feel His Sacred Heart still tugging at me. I sighed. Fine. I’ll stop. As I sat in the church before the tabernacle, guilty tears started falling down my cheeks. The Lord is here just loving me, but I was so wrapped up in my world, I didn’t recognize my need to spend time with Him first.  In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist is dealing with the skeptical Pharisees and church leaders. They continually question him, doubting his ministry, and John answers their questions one by one. Finally, John tells them, “There is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie” (John 1:26-27). His words cause me to pause and ask myself where I fail to recognize God. John declares the glory of the Messiah, yet the Pharisees are too blinded by their self-interest to recognize Him or sincerely seek Him. I want to live in the glory and follow His call, rather than get caught up in my own worries. Too often, we have been like the Pharisees and not seen the presence of Jesus in our midst. We can get caught up in our own little worlds and the circumstances we are dealing with, and we miss His whispers to our hearts. Our circumstances may not change, but when Jesus draws us to Himself, we’re no longer doing it all alone. Instead, He is there with us and loving us.  Relate to the Lord // Today, make a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, either at daily Mass, before the tabernacle, or in Eucharistic Adoration.

“For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” // Luke 17:21 I took the key out of my purse and opened the door to my home. With a defeated sigh, I closed the door behind me. It was another date and another dead end.  When I was single and felt the clock ticking, I wanted nothing more than to get married and start my vocation as a Catholic wife. It was a holy desire, but I was getting frustrated and tired of waiting. It was difficult for me to accept that at that moment, my vocation was to unite myself to God and serve the Kingdom in my singleness instead of obsessing about when I’d get married.  Thankfully, I survived that time and found a deeper love of God and my husband. I was overjoyed, but soon I couldn’t wait until my vocation as a mother would start. However, dealing with problems conceiving, secondary infertility, and miscarriages reminded me again to stop obsessing about when will this happen and instead embrace where God had me at that moment. It wasn’t easy, but four children later, God used that time to strengthen me and grow His Kingdom in ways that I have yet to realize.  In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees were looking for the Kingdom of God, but viewed it in a worldly sense, expecting a mighty king with political authority who would vanquish their enemies. They didn’t understand the spiritual and supernatural nature of it when Jesus said, “For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21). Sometimes we get preoccupied about the future and what is to come, even in a seemingly good sense of wanting to build the Kingdom. Or we have a vision of how things should be, like the Pharisees, and miss what is right before us. Most often, God moves in the ordinary moments of our lives. Is there an area of your life where you are missing God’s presence? Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see Your presence in my day. Increase my humility and charity so I can build Your Kingdom in all the circumstances of my life. I love You. Amen.

O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. // Psalms 139:1-3 “Oh, this is perfect!” she gushed. “Your work is so organized and detailed. You must have a perfectly organized home!”  I laughed. Sure, the project I completed for work looked great and I love plans and details, but I am a mess at home. There are piles everywhere and too much stuff in a small space, but she doesn’t know that side of me.  We’ve all done it. We’ve all had those moments when we projected an image of ourselves that was a better version of our unfiltered self. Perhaps it’s the carefully curated Instagram post that removes the flaws in ourselves or our surroundings. Or maybe it’s when we use our patient parent voice in public, while we yell like a drill sergeant behind closed doors. Or we gossip about someone at school or work, but when that person walks into the room, we change the subject and smile innocently.  There will always be a real version of ourselves that we show a family member, best friend, or spouse, that others don't see. However, even then we can still hide parts of ourselves. But there is One Who sees it all. There’s One Who knows every thought and is familiar with “all my ways” (Psalm 139:3). My first reaction to this realization is to be embarrassed and feel guilty. I imagine God being tired of my nonsense, like a parent whose disobedient child is getting on their last nerve. But I can’t judge God’s ways with my own. He has the ability to know us intimately and still love us and delight in us.  Take a moment to think about an aspect of yourself that you show no one (or few) and bring it before God.    Lord, You know the parts of me that I hide from others. Give me the courage to not hide them from You. Help me to believe that You love me unconditionally and if there is shame in my heart, bring it to light and heal me. I love You. Amen.

Learn from myself and Apollos [ . . . ] so that none of you will be inflated with pride. // 1 Corinthians 4:6 I could hear the distant tick of a clock as I waited for the priest to respond. I was in the middle of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and just confessed how I get extremely annoyed or lose my temper when my plans get interrupted or I’m dealing with irritating people. In a firm, but gentle tone, the priest asked what made me so special that I shouldn’t have to deal with interruptions or annoying people? I thought, Wait, what?  Then the Holy Spirit started enlightening my mind to occasions of pride in my life. I started interiorly debating. I’m not that prideful! I just like things to go how I want it, when I want it, and where I want it. The Holy Spirit waited for that to sink in . . . Ah, maybe You have a point, Lord.  Perhaps that is why the passage from the First Letter to the Corinthians (4:6b-15) in today’s First Reading struck a chord. Saint Paul was reprimanding them for their prideful thinking and lack of embracing suffering for the sake of the Kingdom. “Learn from myself and Apollos [ . . . ] so that none of you will be inflated with pride” (1 Corinthians 4:6). Unlike the Corinthians, Paul endured various forms of hardship, not in a masochistic way. There was a purpose. He was building the kingdom and sharing the Gospel.  Do we realize how many opportunities we have to share the Gospel in our daily lives? Not only through big, dramatic life situations, but more often, it’s in the little things. Having patience with a family member or co-worker. Showing forgiveness to the guy who cut us off in traffic. Putting down our phone and picking up our Bible. All these little acts chip away at our prideful and selfish attitudes and make us more receptive to the workings of the Spirit in our hearts. What act of selflessness can you do today? Lord, we’re sorry for the ways we’ve been prideful and selfish. Please give us the grace to live more like You in our thoughts and our actions. We love You. Amen.

As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. // Joshua 24:15 With a puzzled look my friend said to me, “We invited your son over this afternoon, but he said you had a church thing . . .”  I could see she was trying to figure out what kind of church thing we’d be attending on a Saturday afternoon. In truth, our family was scheduled to go to Confession, and while I was flexible enough to look for a different Confession time, I wasn’t willing to miss the Sacrament entirely. It’s not unusual to have to navigate questions about why we don’t just skip Mass or the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially with our busy family schedule. Or we’re asked why we won't see that movie or let our sons download that song. It’s a constant minefield trying to live in the world, but not of it, and, as a parent, trying to find a balance between too permissive and too restrictive. But what other choice is there? I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and I have made the decision to love and serve Him. The First Reading says it plainly: “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). That means that you and I will live our lives differently than the rest of the world. Sometimes, it’s not too difficult and we witness the fruit of our efforts. Other times it can be arduous, especially when we are ridiculed or lose friends or suffer strained family relationships. That is when we need to lean on Jesus more and ask for His grace to remain strong, while maintaining a spirit of charity and humility.  Are you serving the Lord in your words, thoughts, and actions? Or perhaps your heart is heavy from the cost of following Christ. Either way, open your heart and speak to the Lord about it.  Jesus, we desire to live for you entirely. Reveal to us any areas in our lives that are not serving You. Please strengthen us when we feel weak or scorned. We love You. Amen.

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. // Mark 6:8 I listened to my friend and tried not to be impatient with her. I simply asked what time we’d leave and what activities we'd do on our outing. I wanted to make plans, reservations, and know what to pack. She, however, didn’t like to have the constraints of set plans. She preferred to wing it and see where the day would lead. I can’t live like that. I need notations in my planner, a sample schedule, a list of things to cross off. It gives me a sense of security, so I will be prepared for what may come. It’s no wonder that today's Gospel stresses me. Jesus is sending the Apostles out and He instructs them to “take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts” (Mark 6:8). They were to go where they were welcomed and leave where they were not (see Mark 6:10-11). Unless we are missionaries, we probably don’t have that level of practical uncertainty in our lives. We most likely have normal days of school, work, or caring for our family. But there’s no guarantee that our day or plans will go as scheduled. Life is full of uncertainty. Sometimes it’s a minor thing that causes us to stop and pivot—a call from a friend in need, a sick child, an unexpected visitor. Sometimes disruptions are life changing—a job loss, a major illness, or the death of a loved one.  Regardless, they require us to surrender our desire to control things. Instead, we are challenged to humbly place our hands in the Father’s and go where He leads, knowing that He’ll give us the grace to adapt and trust.  Is there something in your life you have been trying to control, or to which you are holding on too tightly? How is God asking you to let go? Lord, I don’t like not having control or knowing what will happen next. Help me to surrender my need to know. May I trust in Your goodness and be willing to go wherever You lead me. I love You. Amen.

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. // Matthew 5:38-39 “Hey, watch where you’re going, idiot!” I yelled at a guy who nearly hit my car as he recklessly weaved through traffic. A few minutes later someone else heedlessly cut in front of me. I could feel my blood pressure rising, and the lady going ten miles below the speed limit in the fast lane wasn’t helping any.  As a mom to middle schoolers and high schoolers, I spend a large chunk of my day in the car shuttling kids around to two schools and numerous practices, games, and appointments. The crazy drivers annoyed me, but it wasn’t just them . . . the rude guy at the market, the mom who always cut into the pick-up line, the salty sales clerk. They all drove me crazy and I felt like I was becoming the proverbial grumpy, old man yelling at the kids to get off his lawn. I was sharing this with a priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He advised me to try disciplining my heart, mind, emotions, and actions while I continue to work on my relationship with our Lord. I prayed about this and today’s Gospel came to mind: “But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well” (Matthew 5:39).  I decided that when I encounter these annoying situations, I would pray for the safety of the crazy driver, those around him, and the urgent matter that drove him on. Or I'd pray for the rude customer or sales clerk and whatever hurtful situation was causing them to act in this manner. Instead of allowing indignation to take place in my heart, I’m trying to have the heart of Christ. It’s not easy, but I’m trying. How is God challenging you to be more Christ-like in your life? Lord, transform my self-centered heart. Please help me to have a heart like You and desire good for the people who challenge me the most. I love You. Amen.