For God

Tuesday, September 30, 2026 — the 26th Week in Ordinary Time — based on the readings from Zechariah 8:20–23, Psalm 87, and Luke 9:51–56:

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“The Road to Peace Begins with Mercy”

In today’s first reading, the prophet Zechariah paints a beautiful vision: people from many cities and nations will stream toward Jerusalem, seeking the Lord. “Let us go with you,” they say, “for we have heard that God is with you.” It’s a vision of unity, of hope, of people drawn not by force, but by the presence of God.

Psalm 87 echoes this theme: “Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.” It’s not just about geography—it’s about belonging. God’s city is open to all who seek Him.

Then we reach the Gospel, and the tone shifts. Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, but a Samaritan village refuses to welcome Him. James and John are furious. “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” But Jesus rebukes them. He will not retaliate. He simply moves on.

This moment is powerful. Jesus, rejected, chooses mercy. He doesn’t force His way in. He doesn’t punish. He keeps walking toward the cross.

💡 Real-life example: A few years ago, I met a man named David who had been deeply hurt by a falling-out with his brother. They hadn’t spoken in years. One day, David heard a homily about forgiveness and felt convicted. He wrote a letter—not to accuse or demand, but simply to say, “I miss you. I’m sorry for my part. I hope we can talk.” His brother didn’t respond right away. But months later, they met for coffee. The healing didn’t come through fire—it came through mercy.

🌱 Takeaway
Zechariah reminds us that people are drawn to God when they see His presence in us. But that presence is revealed not through power or retaliation—it’s revealed through mercy, humility, and peace.

Jesus shows us that rejection is not the end. It’s an opportunity to choose love. When we are misunderstood, excluded, or hurt, we can respond like James and John—or we can respond like Christ.

So today, let’s ask: Who in my life needs mercy instead of judgment? Where can I be a sign that “God is with us”? Because the road to Jerusalem—the road to peace—always begins with mercy.

Theme: “Messengers of God’s Power, Presence, and Healing”

Today we celebrate three archangels—Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael—each with a distinct mission in God’s plan:

• Michael, the protector and warrior, who defends against evil (Revelation 12:7–12).
• Gabriel, the messenger, who announces God’s promises (Luke 1:26–38).
• Raphael, the healer and guide, who walks with the suffering (Tobit 5–12).

These are not just heavenly figures from ancient texts. They are signs of how God continues to act in our world—through protection, communication, and healing.

📖 In today’s first reading from Daniel (7:9–10, 13–14), we glimpse the majesty of heaven: thrones, fire, myriads of angels. It’s a vision of divine authority and eternal kingship. And in the Gospel (John 1:47–51), Jesus tells Nathanael, “You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Heaven is not far away—it touches earth through Christ.

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🧑 Real-Life Reflections: Archangels Among Us

Let me share three stories that echo the mission of these archangels:

🛡️ Michael – The Protector

A police officer named Maria once told me that before every shift, she prays the St. Michael Prayer. One night, she responded to a domestic violence call. She said, “I didn’t just walk in with training—I walked in with faith.” Her courage and calm helped de-escalate the situation. She protected not just physically, but spiritually. That’s Michael’s spirit—defending the vulnerable and standing firm against darkness.

📣 Gabriel – The Messenger

A teacher named James works in a public school where many students face poverty and trauma. He told me, “I try to be a voice of hope. Even when I’m teaching math, I want them to hear: ‘You matter. You’re loved.’” Gabriel’s mission wasn’t just to deliver information—it was to deliver transformation. James does that every day.

🩺 Raphael – The Healer

A nurse named Linda volunteers at a hospice center. She sits with patients in their final days, holding hands, listening to stories, praying quietly. “I don’t always have answers,” she said, “but I try to be present.” Like Raphael walking with Tobit and healing his blindness, Linda brings light into the shadows.

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🙏 Takeaway

The archangels remind us that God is not distant. He sends help. He speaks. He heals.

So today, ask yourself:

• Where do I need protection? And where can I be a protector?
• What message of hope can I carry to someone who’s discouraged?
• Who around me needs healing—not just of body, but of heart?

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are not just figures in stained glass—they are patterns for how we live. May we reflect their mission in our homes, our work, and our witness.

Readings from the Common of Pastors for the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest. These readings typically include:

• Ezekiel 34:1–11 – God condemns the shepherds who fail to care for the flock and promises to shepherd His people Himself.
• Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
• Luke 10:1–9 – Jesus sends out the seventy-two, instructing them to bring peace, heal the sick, and proclaim the Kingdom of God.

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Theme: “Shepherding with Compassion: The Legacy of Saint Vincent de Paul”

Today’s readings speak powerfully to the heart of pastoral ministry. In Ezekiel, God rebukes the shepherds who have neglected the flock—feeding themselves instead of the sheep, ignoring the weak, the sick, and the lost. It’s a sobering reminder that leadership in the Church is not about status or comfort, but about service and sacrifice.

Then we hear Psalm 23, the beloved declaration: “The Lord is my shepherd.” This is the kind of shepherd God promises to be—one who leads gently, restores souls, and walks with us through the darkest valleys.

And in the Gospel, Jesus sends out the seventy-two with a mission: to bring peace, heal the sick, and proclaim the Kingdom. He doesn’t send them with wealth or power. He sends them with vulnerability, trust, and the authority of love.

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🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Saint Vincent de Paul: A Shepherd of the Poor

Saint Vincent de Paul embodied these readings with astonishing clarity. Born into modest means, he could have pursued a comfortable clerical life. Instead, he allowed his heart to be broken open by the suffering of the poor. He saw Christ in the hungry, the sick, the orphaned, and the imprisoned.

He founded the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, not to build monuments, but to build mercy. He trained priests to be true shepherds—men of humility, compassion, and courage. He didn’t just preach the Gospel; he lived it in the streets, in hospitals, and in the homes of the forgotten.

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🛠️ Real-Life Reflections

Let me share a story. A young priest named Father Miguel was assigned to a rural parish in Central America. The church had no roof, the people had no running water, and the nearest hospital was hours away. At first, he felt overwhelmed. But he remembered Saint Vincent’s words: “Go to the poor, and you will find God.”

So he began visiting homes, blessing crops, teaching children, and organizing health clinics. He didn’t fix everything—but he became a shepherd. And the people began to say, “Father Miguel walks with us.”

Or consider a woman named Linda, a retired nurse in Los Angeles. She volunteers weekly at a mobile clinic for the homeless. She says, “I don’t just check blood pressure—I listen. I pray. I remind people they matter.” That’s pastoral care. That’s Vincentian love.

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🙏 Takeaway

Saint Vincent de Paul didn’t wait for perfect conditions. He responded to the call of Christ: “Go… heal… proclaim.” He challenged the Church to be a Church of the poor, for the poor.

So today, let’s ask ourselves:

• Who are the “lost sheep” in our lives?
• Where can we bring healing, peace, and presence?
• How can we shepherd with compassion—not just in words, but in action?

May we follow Saint Vincent’s example—not just admiring his legacy, but continuing it.

Based on the readings for Saturday, September 27, 2025—Zechariah 2:5–9, 14–15a; Jeremiah 31:10–13; and Luke 9:43b–45

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Theme: “God Dwells in Our Midst—Even When We Don’t Understand”

In the first reading from Zechariah, we hear a beautiful promise: “I will be a wall of fire around her…and I will be the glory in her midst.” God is speaking of Jerusalem, but He’s also speaking to each of us. He’s saying, “I will protect you. I will dwell with you. You are not alone.”

This is echoed in the Psalm: “The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.” It’s a tender image—God not as a distant ruler, but as a shepherd who walks with us, guides us, and defends us.

But then we reach the Gospel, and the tone shifts. Jesus tells His disciples something hard: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over.” And they don’t understand. Worse, they’re afraid to ask.

Isn’t that so human? We love the idea of God dwelling with us. But when suffering enters the picture, we hesitate. We don’t want to ask the hard questions. We don’t want to face the mystery of pain.

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🛠️ Real-Life Reflections

Let me share a story. A woman named Carla lost her husband unexpectedly. She was devastated. For months, she couldn’t pray. She didn’t understand why God allowed it. But one day, she heard this passage from Zechariah at Mass: “I will be the glory in her midst.” And something shifted. She realized God hadn’t abandoned her—He was grieving with her. She began to pray again, not with answers, but with trust.

Or consider a young man named Jordan who was diagnosed with a chronic illness. He told me, “I used to think God was with me only when life was good. Now I know He’s with me in the hospital room, too.” That’s the wall of fire Zechariah speaks of—not a barrier to suffering, but a presence within it.

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🙏 Takeaway

So today, let’s ask ourselves: Where do we need to feel God’s presence? Where are we afraid to ask the hard questions?

Jesus doesn’t rebuke the disciples for their fear. He simply continues walking with them. And He does the same with us.

God dwells in our midst—not just in our triumphs, but in our confusion, our grief, and our silence. He is our wall of fire. He is our shepherd. And He is not going anywhere.

Readings at USCCB.org

Theme: “Take Courage—God Is With You”

In today’s first reading from the prophet Haggai, we hear a message of encouragement to a people who feel disheartened. The temple, once glorious, now lies in ruins. The people look at it and feel defeated. But God speaks through Haggai: “Take courage… and work! For I am with you.” And then comes the promise: “Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former… and in this place I will give you peace.”

This is not just about a building. It’s about the human heart. It’s about our lives when they feel broken, diminished, or forgotten. God sees the ruins—and He sees the potential. He doesn’t say, “Look how far you’ve fallen.” He says, “Look how far I will raise you.”

💬 In the Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “The Christ of God.” But Jesus immediately tells them not to speak of it yet. Why? Because they still don’t understand what kind of Messiah He is. He’s not coming to conquer with swords, but to serve and to suffer. “The Son of Man must suffer greatly,” He says.

This pairing of readings—Haggai’s call to rebuild and Jesus’ call to follow Him through suffering—reminds us that renewal often comes through struggle. Glory is born from perseverance.

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🛠️ Real-Life Reflections

Let me share a story. A friend of mine, Maria, lost her job during the pandemic. She had worked for the same company for 15 years. When she was let go, she felt like the temple in ruins—her confidence shattered, her purpose unclear. But she didn’t give up. She took courage. She enrolled in a training program, learned new skills, and eventually started her own small business. Today, she says, “I never imagined this would be my life—but it’s better than before.”

Her story echoes God’s promise: “Greater will be the future glory.”

Or think of someone recovering from addiction. The road is long, the setbacks are real. But each step forward is a brick in the rebuilding of the temple. And God says, “My Spirit continues in your midst; do not fear.”

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🙏 Takeaway

So today, ask yourself: What part of your life feels like ruins? Is it a relationship, a dream, your faith? Hear God’s voice: “Take courage… and work! For I am with you.”

And when Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” may we answer not just with words, but with lives that reflect His love, His service, and His hope.

For the Memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs, the Church often uses readings from the Common of Martyrs or Common of Pastors, depending on the focus. A fitting set includes:

• Wisdom 3:1–9 – “The souls of the just are in the hand of God…”
• Psalm 126 – “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.”
• Matthew 10:28–33 – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…”

Theme: “Fearless Love in the Face of Suffering”

Today we honor Saints Cosmas and Damian—twin brothers, physicians, and martyrs—who lived in the third century and became known as the “Unmercenary Healers.” Why? Because they treated the sick without accepting payment. Their lives were a living sermon: mercy over money, healing over profit, faith over fear.

The readings today speak directly to their legacy.

📖 In the Book of Wisdom, we hear: “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” This is not a denial of suffering—it’s a declaration of hope. Cosmas and Damian were tortured and killed for their faith, yet they are remembered not for how they died, but for how they lived: with courage, compassion, and conviction.

📖 In the Gospel, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” That’s the kind of fearlessness Cosmas and Damian embodied. They knew the risks of being Christian in a hostile empire. But they also knew the deeper truth: that the soul belongs to God, and that love is stronger than death.

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🧑‍⚕️ Real-Life Reflections

Let me share a story. A young doctor named Sarah volunteered in a war-torn region. She treated patients in makeshift clinics, often under threat of violence. One day, a soldier warned her to leave or face consequences. She stayed. “If I leave,” she said, “who will care for these children?” Her courage echoes the spirit of Cosmas and Damian—healing without fear, service without condition.

Or consider a man named James who runs a free dental clinic in a low-income neighborhood. He says, “I could make more money elsewhere, but this is where I’m needed.” His work is a modern echo of the unmercenary love that Cosmas and Damian lived.

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🙏 Takeaway

So today, let’s ask ourselves:

• Where are we called to serve without counting the cost?
• What fears hold us back from living boldly for Christ?
• How can we bring healing—not just physical, but emotional and spiritual—to those around us?

Saints Cosmas and Damian didn’t just heal bodies—they healed hearts. They didn’t just defy persecution—they inspired generations. May we follow their example: fearless in faith, generous in love, and confident that our souls are in the hand of God.