Prophetic Gifts: “Proclaim the Word”

Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Beloved:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine
but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity,
will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth
and will be diverted to myths.
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances;
put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist;
fulfill your ministry.For I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well;
I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 71:8-9, 14-15AB, 16-17, 22

R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.
My mouth shall be filled with your praise,
with your glory day by day.
Cast me not off in my old age;
as my strength fails, forsake me not.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
But I will always hope
and praise you ever more and more.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
So will I give you thanks with music on the lyre,
for your faithfulness, O my God!
I will sing your praises with the harp,
O Holy One of Israel!
R. I will sing of your salvation.

Alleluia Matthew 5:3

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said,
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext,
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.”

Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Norbert, Bishop

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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.

June 6, 2026 // Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1–8

Reflect on the Word //

I straightened up to answer the phone, leaning the broom against the kitchen counter. “Hello?” I answered, tapping the dustpan against the edge of the trash can. The voice on the other end was friendly and familiar. I wondered, Why is the head of our local Catholic women’s conference calling me?

“Will you keynote our conference next spring?” she asked. I gripped the counter.

You don’t have anything to say.

Why is she asking you?

How could you possibly say yes?

The enemy didn’t waste any time telling me to say no.

“Yes,” I answered, before he could have his way.

I’ve since come to understand, many talks and retreats later, that my Baptism has empowered me to put my prophetic gifts in service of the Gospel. That doesn’t mean I’ll wander the desert eating locusts.

What it means is that I was baptized to share in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit empowered me to do so. I have the calling, the gifting, and the commission to do as Saint Paul instructs in today’s First Reading: to “proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

For me, that involves writing during early mornings and late nights, long flights to speaking engagements, and travel delays. It means intense bouts of desolation and long stretches of self-doubt. But I must be faithful to the unfolding graces of my Baptism.

Sister, you, too, are given the baptismal grace to proclaim the Gospel. In an age when souls are hungry for what is spiritual, but often unable to untangle truth from “myths,” we all can be the witnesses proclaiming Jesus. We can bring light and hope to a world unaware of its own darkness.

It might not be on a stage. Your call will honor your unique gifts and opportunities. You may bring the Gospel to the woman in line behind you at the coffee shop or simply by writing a note to a coworker. But a word of hope, when infused with the Spirit, can bring forth untold light and life. Don’t let the enemy tell you otherwise.

Relate to the Lord // Ask the Lord to show you ways to use your prophetic gifts today to share Jesus with others.

Be a Woman of the Word

About Claire Dwyer

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Claire Dwyer writes with the desire that all women see the sacredness of their stories in light of Salvation History. Speaker, Retreat Leader, Author of This Present Paradise, senior copywriter and content editor for Avila Foundation / Spiritualdirection.com, and co-founder of the PraiseWriters community, she knows firsthand the power of words to set a fire on the earth. She lives in Phoenix with her family. Find out more about her here.