September 22, 2026 // Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm: Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44

Reflect on the Word // 

There it was, heading my Facebook feed: the image of a carpeted staircase in the wood-paneled corridor of a 19th-century European home. “These are the stairs in the childhood home of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux,” the caption announced, recounting a cherished story that occurred here. As a toddler, Thérèse Martin would climb up and down these stairs, stopping on each step to call “Mama!” Only after her mother gave her a tender response would the little one proceed to the next step. I smiled while taking in the setting of this early instance of Thérèse’s future great spirituality of constant childlike confidence in God.

While praying today’s Psalm, I feel like little Saint Thérèse on that staircase. Each verse is just two lines long, so we pause for the response more frequently: “Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands” (Psalm 119:35). With this rhythm, I imagine myself on a journey that renews my reliance on Jesus with every step, every breath. 

How can I walk this journey in a blessed and blameless manner? (see Psalm 119:1) The Psalm indicates that following the Lord is more than a play-by-play rulebook: It involves cultivating a relationship. My part is to keep His precepts in front of me and ask the Lord to strengthen my mind’s understanding, steady my will’s discerning powers, and expand my heart’s capacity to delight in Him (see Psalm 119:27, 34, 35). Jesus reminds me today that when I follow Him, I do not merely tread a trail. I must be immersed in the entire way of His truth (see Psalm 119:30) for the big things—like observing the Ten Commandments and deep prayer around major decisions—but in the smaller dots of daily life too. 

We are seen at every step because He is not merely at the end of the path, but present along the trail with us. Sister, our lives are never a solo walk. The Heavenly Father has eyes for our glances towards Him, ears for our voices, and guidance for our climb up the staircase of this life towards eternity in His home.

Relate to the Lord // Ask for Saint Thérèse’s intercession as you resolve to take the next right step today.