Articles published in My Daily Visitor
Tuesday Memorial of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church October 1
Mass Readings: Zechariah 8:20-23/Luke 9:51-56
Rejected But Hope
Was there hope for the Samaritans after rejecting our Lord in today’s Gospel? This people were spared, but why? Was Jesus trying to teach the apostles other ways besides using (abusing) power freely given because there was hope, hope for their children and their children’s children, and because force is not always the answer?
We’re on paths not always freely chosen. Would I be different if I walked in the Samaritans’ shoes? I should accept, forgive those who deny me and be gracious to those who welcome me. At times I certainly didn’t welcome others, being too busy, too focused on the self. I should take time out to ponder how open my heart is to those with different thoughts and beliefs. With chronic illness, my views may be cloudy.
Lord, help me see through the eyes of others, so when denied I may understand.
October 2 Wednesday Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels
Mass Readings: Nehemiah 2:1-8/Matthew 18:1-5,10
Angels Among Us
I like the concept of angelic beings and love the actuality of these pure spirits, especially having guardians to freely aiding and supporting us. Today as we honor our Guardian Angels with this memorial, I think of St. Padre Pio, his life and work with Guardian Angels and the marvelous true stories.
Reading about the angels is so refreshing. Reading on how they fit into our Christian Spirituality and how they work in our lives gives me so much hope in a world that can be so difficult with many struggles, both mental and physical. Like many other things of my Catholic Faith and my life in general, my guardian angels I take for granted. Remember also that our angels need our prayers, its food for the spiritual.
Guardian angel, help me discern your voice, to listen, keeping me from doing anything stupid.
Thursday October 3
Mass Readings: Nehemiah 8:1-4a,5-6,7b-12/Luke 10:1-12
With Empty Pockets
Today we read about a marvelous assignment given to the disciples, to go out into the world, helping others directly. Was this a test of trust for these first missionaries, nevertheless what an honor it must have been.
With every task there is responsibility, struggles, temptations and anxiety and to leave without the barest of essentials forced the followers to fully rely on God. Am I ready to fully rely on God? The best I can say is – I try, I pray. I don’t know how others would handle this assignment, journeying without the simplest of material supports, but my anxiety would surely be heightened. I need my “security blankets” whenever I travel, even for a daytrip. So I take along books, water, maybe a snack. Is it time to lighten my load?
May my anxiety, Oh Lord, be a means and not a hindrance in serving You.
October 4 Friday Saint Francis of Assisi
Mass Readings: Baruch 1:15-22/Luke 10:13-16
Simplicity, Poverty, Saintly
Our recently elected Jesuit Pope has taken his new name from St. Francis of Assisi, one of the poor, for the poor. Both Saint and Pope are known for simple lives, for putting aside the tapestry that the world would have gladly given them if they had so desired, but instead became one with the least the world – the poor and the weak. Putting aside luxuries shows trust and confidence in the Faith of our Lord.
I look at my life and see the ornaments that constitute my tapestry. My own human weaknesses of insecurity, doubt, hesitation and skepticism keep me from truly letting go. Do I really need my extras in life, especially when they could be used by others like my books, containing knowledge that could be shared?
Lord, help me to shed the trappings and extras of life, easing my burdens.
Saturday October 5
Mass Readings: Baruch 4:5-12,27-29/Luke 10:17-24
The Battle Joined
The seventy-two disciples who have ventured out, truly relying on God, have now joyfully returned in today’s Gospel and rejoice. Slowly, evil is being fought and the battles of Faith, for Faith, are being won. Satan’s reign over the world is coming to an end and the old order is opening to the new.
Am I, how am I, fighting battles against evil? The battles of ignorance, solitude, loneliness, prejudice faced by those who suffer from chronic illness i.e. mental illness. What about the multitude of injustices for those who cannot stand up for themselves, the unborn, the old, the sick, the shuttered? The battles, small or large, should never be ignored. I am not expected to preach on street corners but I am expected to aid those in need.
Help me Lord, to have the courage to stand for the convictions my faith demands.
October 6 Sunday
Mass Readings: Hebrews 1:2-3; 2:2-4/2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14/Luke 17:5-10
It’s Our Obligation
Within a period of two weeks, I found an endorsed check and an insurance card. I expected accolades for saving the owners not just money, but time, aggravation and headaches. Today’s Gospel reading shows that such attention is unworthy. Jesus implores the disciples not to expect glory, commendations, for doing what is expected, what is an obligation. For Christians, good deeds do not require a thank you, a pat on the back.
Most of us would like to receive praise for routine jobs and chores, but does undeserved/false praise lead to maturity? False praise can create pride, self-confidence; however, that may lead to sins of pride and self-centeredness, ignoring the One, who gives grace and talents. My writing skills are a gift, seeking praise omits the Creator. Oh, but that praise feels so good!
May my Faith, Lord, be the only praise needed. Following you is the only path.
Monday Our Lady of the Rosary October 7
Mass Readings: Jonah 1:1-2:2,11/Luke 10:25-37
The Power Prayer
Simple, repetitive, powerful – words describing one of the most important tools in our arsenal of Faith. We’re honoring the Rosary today, celebrated initially for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto in 1573. I must remember all its glorious history, its power and importance to keeping and strengthening my faith.
I always have trouble setting aside time. Be it ten minutes or twenty, restlessness keeps body and mind too involved and focused with other issues, preventing me, at times from concentrating on the Mysteries and the true meaning of their words. While my favorite mystery is the Luminous Mysteries with the decade focusing on the Transfiguration as my favorite, the Sorrowful Mysteries with the Agony in the Garden, its overwhelming anxiety and fear that predominate make meditating difficult.
Help me focus, feel and welcome the power of the Rosary, Lord.
October 8 Tuesday
Mass Readings: Jonah 3:1-10/Luke 10:38-42
Seize the Moment
Choosing between an obligation and an opportunity to learn as a disciple of our Lord seems like a no-brainer. Today, Jesus admonishes Martha for her poor choice. One can become a captive to duty and routine. Like Harry Chapin’s song, Cat’s in the Cradle, one can miss out so much, quickly. My son is twenty-one and like most parents, I wonder what happened, where did the time go? How did he grow so fast, so mature, so responsible? I was there, yet I wasn’t there mentally as my thoughts were usually someplace else, physically, also, as there was work and chores to be done. “Doing the dishes”, while the world moves onward without you is a terrible place to be. May I learn from past errors, move forward and be in the moment.
How often, Lord, I have missed opportunities. Help me focus on what matters.
Wednesday October 9
Mass Readings: Jonah 4:1-11/Luke 11:1-4
God’s Mercy: Forgiveness
When someone renounces their ways, seeking forgiveness, it’s human nature that continues to seek punishment to equal the crime. Jonah certainly felt that way toward the inhabitants of Nineveh as told in the first reading. Fortunately, this is not God’s way, for most of us would certainly have been punished for more sins than we can remember. God sees us as His children. When our child seeks forgiveness and relents, do we punish, especially when their behavior has changed in a positive way? When we seek forgiveness, do we not hope for reprieve especially when the self improves?
It is very difficult to forgive those who harmed me or those I love. The pain can still be felt years after the occurrence. Maybe forgiveness will ease the trauma.
God, help me accept your grace and give grace to those who harmed me.
October 10, Thursday
Mass Readings: Malachi 3:13-20b/Luke 11:5-13
Persistence, Timing, Patience
We are children of God, never far removed from Him, no matter the vastness of time and space. Generations may pass, but distance never weakens His connection, for God has no grandchildren only children.
As mentioned in today’s Gospel, our Father wants us to pester Him through persistence. How many parents can say that with their children? I can’t. We’re never to stop asking through our prayers for our needs and desires. Of course they have to be reasonable, but the caveat is that you never know how or when He will answer. Only He knows if they are truly for our benefit and when it is best to receive. Timing can be everything. As I look back at important relationships, clearly there can be such a thing as the right time and right place.
Help me Lord to remember, that You know what’s best and when.
Glenn Slaby Blog