Martyrs amid Modern Times

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Feast of ST. JEAN DE BRÉBEUF and ST. ISAAC JOGUES and Companions in Canada invite us to reflect on martyrs and modern circumstances.

Modern Martyrs for Creation

The Reading from the Book of Revelation proclaims Triumph of the Elect.

* [7:9] White robes,palm branches: symbols of joy and victory; see note on Rev 3:5.

* [7:10] Salvation comes from: literally, “(let) salvation (be ascribed) to.” A similar hymn of praise is found at the fall of the dragon (Rev 12:10) and of Babylon (Rev 19:1).

* [7:14] Time of great distress: fierce persecution by the Romans; cf. Introduction.

* [7:17] Life-giving water: literally, “the water of life,” God’s grace, which flows from Christ; cf. Rev 21:6; 22:1, 17; Jn 4:10, 14. (Revelation, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians presents The Paradox of the Ministry.

* [4:7] This treasure: the glory that he preaches and into which they are being transformed. In earthen vessels: the instruments God uses are human and fragile; some imagine small terracotta lamps in which light is carried.

* [4:8–9] A catalogue of his apostolic trials and afflictions. Yet in these the negative never completely prevails; there is always some experience of rescue, of salvation.

* [4:10–11] Both the negative and the positive sides of the experience are grounded christologically. The logic is similar to that of 2 Cor 1:3–11. His sufferings are connected with Christ’s, and his deliverance is a sign that he is to share in Jesus’ resurrection.

* [4:12–15] His experience does not terminate in himself, but in others (12, 15; cf. 2 Cor 1:4–5). Ultimately, everything is ordered even beyond the community, toward God (2 Cor 4:15; cf. 2 Cor 1:11).

* [4:13–14] Like the Psalmist, Paul clearly proclaims his faith, affirming life within himself despite death (2 Cor 4:10–11) and the life-giving effect of his experience upon the church (2 Cor 4:12, 14–15). And place us with you in his presence: Paul imagines God presenting him and them to Jesus at the parousia and the judgment; cf. 2 Cor 11:2; Rom 14:10. (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims The Conditions of Discipleship.

* [9:23] Daily: this is a Lucan addition to a saying of Jesus, removing the saying from a context that envisioned the imminent suffering and death of the disciple of Jesus (as does the saying in Mk 8:34–35) to one that focuses on the demands of daily Christian existence.

(Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John implies that through his death Jesus will be accessible to all.

* [12:24] This verse implies that through his death Jesus will be accessible to all. It remains just a grain of wheat: this saying is found in the synoptic triple and double traditions (Mk 8:35; Mt 16:25; Lk 9:24; Mt 10:39; Lk 17:33). John adds the phrases (Jn 12:25) in this world and for eternal life.

* [12:25] His life: the Greek word psychē refers to a person’s natural life. It does not mean “soul,” for Hebrew anthropology did not postulate body/soul dualism in the way that is familiar to us.(John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The scapegoat foreshadowed Christ's passion”, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"The mystery of the passion may be seen also in another instance. According to the Mosaic law, two goats were offered. They were not different in any way from one another (Leviticus 16:7-8), but they were alike in size and appearance. Of these, one was called 'the lord,' and the other was called 'sent-away.' When the lot was cast for the one called 'lord,' it was sacrificed. The other one was sent away from the sacrifice, and therefore had the name of 'sent-away.' Who was signified by this? The Word, though he was God, was in our likeness and took the form of us sinners, as far as the nature of the flesh was concerned. The male or female goat was sacrificed for sins. Death was our desert, for we had fallen under the divine curse because of sin. When the Savior of all undertook the responsibility, he transferred to himself what was due to us and laid down his life, that we might be sent away from death and destruction."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 53) (Schwager, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rabbi Amy Eilberg who acknowledges the daily commitment required to make peace in ourselves, among others, and in the world.

Peacebuilding practice is an expression of spiritual virtues valued in most religious traditions, such as kindness, compassion, gentleness, generosity, patience, and respect for all people…. [1]

It is as simple and as challenging as this. The desire for the well-being of all people is what moves us to work for peace, and this same desire makes it possible for us to care for all people in any conflict. Though we may be more connected to one “side” or more inclined toward one viewpoint in the dispute, on a deeper level, we sense a bond of common humanity with everyone involved. We want what is best for all of them. Like a parent responding to estrangement among her children, she wants for all of them to be happy, for all of them to thrive, for all of them to be free of the pain of ruptured relationships…. The more of us adopt this goal as an intention for our lives, the more peace and harmony there will be in the world. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the action we may have to consider to be true to our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9 

Revelation, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Nonviolence: A Christian Calling: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/nonviolence-a-christian-calling-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were Astonished at the Majesty of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/? 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/4 

There is a Season

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to understand more deeply our role as siblings of Jesus in living with love and compassion in all the times of our life.

A Time for Every Purpose

The Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes suggests No One Can Determine the Right Time to Act.

* [3:1–8] The fourteen pairs of opposites describe various human activities. The poem affirms that God has determined the appropriate moment or “time” for each. Human beings cannot know that moment; further, the wider course of events and purposes fixed by God are beyond them as well.

* [3:11] The timeless: others translate “eternity,” “the world,” or “darkness.” The author credits God with keeping human beings ignorant about God’s “work”—present and future. (Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 144 reflects a ceremony to ask for God’s help.

* [Psalm 144] The Psalm may reflect a ceremony in which the king, as leader of the army, asked God’s help (Ps 144:1–8). In Ps 144:9 the poem shifts abruptly from pleading to thanksgiving, and (except for Ps 144:11) shifts again to prayer for the people. The first section (Ps 144:1–2) is a prayer of thanks for victory; the second (Ps 144:3–7a), a humble acknowledgment of human nothingness and a supplication that God show forth saving power; the third (Ps 144:9–11), a promise of future thanksgiving; the fourth (Ps 144:12–15), a wish for prosperity and peace. A prayer for deliverance from treacherous foes serves as a refrain after the second and third sections (Ps 144:7b–8, 11). Except for its final section, the Psalm is made up almost entirely of verses from other Psalms. (Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Peter’s Confession About Jesus.

* [9:18–22] This incident is based on Mk 8:27–33, but Luke has eliminated Peter’s refusal to accept Jesus as suffering Son of Man (Mk 8:32) and the rebuke of Peter by Jesus (Mk 8:33). Elsewhere in the gospel, Luke softens the harsh portrait of Peter and the other apostles found in his Marcan source (cf. Lk 22:39–46, which similarly lacks a rebuke of Peter that occurs in the source, Mk 14:37–38).

* [9:18] When Jesus was praying in solitude: see note on Lk 3:21.

* [9:20] The Messiah of God: on the meaning of this title in first-century Palestinian Judaism, see notes on Lk 2:11 and on Mt 16:13–20 and Mk 8:27–30. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner comments that the passage from Ecclesiastes in today's first reading became a folk-rock musical hit in the 1960’s. (“Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds).

From the time the words were first written in the Old Testament, to the turbulent 1960s to today, the words remind us of the cyclical nature of life, and how we can hold out hope for what’s to come. Life has times that we mourn and times that we dance. What is constant is God and God’s love for us through all of these times. The words also remind me of what precious gifts we have in time and life, how blessed we are to feel sadness and joy.

In the Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus is praying in solitude with the apostles. A time to pray. Jesus is thinking of what’s to come with his crucifixion and resurrection. His time was short, but he knew what was to come. We don’t know what will come, but we can trust in God that there will be times of sowing and reaping, of laughter and of tears. We can make the most of the time we have to be good stewards of the lives we have. We can have faith in God and hope for peace in our own lives, the lives of others and the world. (Zuegner, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Peter confesses that Jesus is God's Anointed Son and Savior of all,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"You see the skillfulness of the question. He [Jesus] did not at once say, 'Who do you say that I am?' He refers to the rumor of those that were outside their company. Then, having rejected it and shown it unsound, he might bring them back to the true opinion. It happened that way. When the disciples had said, 'Some, John the Baptist, and others, Elijah, and others, that some prophet of those in old time has risen up,' he said to them, 'But you, who do you say that I am?' Oh! how full of meaning is that word you! He separates them from all others, that they may also avoid the opinions of others. In this way, they will not conceive an unworthy idea about him or entertain confused and wavering thoughts. Then they will not also imagine that John had risen again, or one of the prophets. 'You,' he says, 'who have been chosen,' who by my decree have been called to the apostleship, who are the witnesses of my miracles. Who do you say that I am?'"(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 49) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winker comments that we remember Qoheleth or the Preacher in Ecclesiastes is trying to attack the idea that God has it a determined role for us but rather we should follow the rhythm of life and as we age we do see some of that as our forms of prayer change quite a bit and we understand better and follow the rhythm of what we can do. In the Gospel Jesus asks the disciples “Who do people say He is ?” Peter responds that Jesus is The Christ (Messiah) of the Lord. But Jesus is connecting himself to the Suffering Servant and vocabulary from the Songs of the Suffering Servant. Friar Jude notes that this means Jesus is not the conquering hero to rescue Israel but the one who suffers on the Cross.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:18-22 comments that over time, as Peter and the others matured in their faith, they understood more clearly who Jesus is and exactly what kind of Messiah and Savior he would become.

Today, let Jesus ask you, “Who do you say that I am?” Take the time to sit in his presence, maybe with your Bible, and let him help you answer that question. As your knowledge of Jesus deepens, your foundation will be connected ever deeper, right down to the bedrock!

“Jesus, you are my firm foundation. Help me root myself deeply in you.” (Meditation on Luke 9:18-22, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces activists Ken Butigan and Patricia Bruno who understand faith to be the center of all healing works of nonviolence. Nonviolence is a vocation to which Christians are called.

Our vocation as Christians is to respond to God’s call to join in the divine dance of compassionate and nonviolent love, collaborating with God’s healing power to fashion the conditions for true peace. In this spirit, we are called to a ministry of active nonviolence in our homes, in our work-places, in our churches, in the streets, in the larger world, and in our own selves. This means that nonviolence is not simply a tool or a tactic. It is a spiritual journey that, with God’s love, overturns the violence system in our own lives and in the life of the world….

To engage in active nonviolence is both an act of faith in the God of Love and a way of experiencing the God of Love. (Rohr, n.d.)

We petition the Holy Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the “seasons” of our life and support our mission as examples of Jesus' Way in challenging times.

References

Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/3? 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?18 

Meditation on Luke 9:18-22. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/25/1677241/ 

Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/144?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). God of Love, Act of Faith. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/god-of-love-act-of-faith/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Do You Say That Jesus Is? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/? 

Zuegner, C. (2026, September 25). Daily Reflection September 25, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-25-2026 

Victory without Vanity

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the futility of expecting goodness to be the result of our playing to the vanity of leaders motivated by self aggrandizement. 

Building Good Government

The Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes warns “Nothing is new under the sun.”

* [1:2] Vanity of vanities: a Hebrew superlative expressing the supreme degree of futility and emptiness.

* [1:3] Under the sun: used throughout this book to signify “on the earth.”

* [1:8] All things are wearisome: or, “All speech is wearisome.”

* [1:11] Movement in nature and human activity appears to result in change and progress. The author argues that this change and progress are an illusion: “Nothing is new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 90 describes in general terms the cause of the community’s distress.

* [Psalm 90] A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Ps 90:1), the Psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Ps 90:2–6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Ps 90:7–12). The Psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Ps 90:13–17).

* [90:3] Dust: one word of God is enough to return mortals to the dust from which they were created. Human beings were created from earth in Gn 2:7; 3:19.

* [90:5] You wash them away: the Hebrew of Ps 90:4–5 is unclear.

* [90:6] It is wilted and withered: the transitory nature of the grass under the scorching sun was proverbial, cf. Ps 129:6; Is 40:6–8. (Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Herod’s Curious Opinion of Jesus.

* [9:7–56] This section in which Luke gathers together incidents that focus on the identity of Jesus is introduced by a question that Herod is made to ask in this gospel: “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”(Lk 9:9) In subsequent episodes, Luke reveals to the reader various answers to Herod’s question: Jesus is one in whom God’s power is present and who provides for the needs of God’s people (Lk 9:10–17); Peter declares Jesus to be “the Messiah of God” (Lk 9:18–21); Jesus says he is the suffering Son of Man (Lk 9:22, 43–45); Jesus is the Master to be followed, even to death (Lk 9:23–27); Jesus is God’s son, his Chosen One (Lk 9:28–36).

* [9:7] Herod the tetrarch: see note on Lk 3:1.

* [9:9] And he kept trying to see him: this indication of Herod’s interest in Jesus prepares for Lk 13:31–33 and for Lk 23:8–12 where Herod’s curiosity about Jesus’ power to perform miracles remains unsatisfied. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gladyce Janky wonders how Herod’s life might have changed had he allowed himself to listen to God’s invitation. Instead, he clung to the life he knew rather than venturing into the unknown where God was waiting.

In my own humanity, I am not that different from Herod. I can fall into the trap of trusting what I think I own, forgetting that everything I have is a gift from God. I look without truly seeing the beauty and wonder of creation; I listen without hearing, sometimes because I resist a different opinion, sometimes because facing another’s suffering feels too heavy. A mindset of self-reliance or the illusion of control can take root in anyone. So, what are we to do? How can we change the dynamics of our individual lives and, in doing so, help transform the world?

Without help, we remain stuck—repeating the same patterns as our ancestors, patterns that future generations will repeat unless something breaks the cycle. But something has. Because Jesus entered our reality and chose to die for us, we have an Advocate who tirelessly draws us toward God. The Holy Spirit continues to nudge, stir, and awaken our hearts, just as I imagine happened in Herod’s. Grace keeps reaching for us, inviting us to step out of fear and into the freedom of God’s love. And when we finally allow ourselves to follow Jesus, we discover that the path we feared is the very path that brings life.

Reflection question: If I hear God’s voice today, how will I respond? (Janky, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Integrity is a hardship for the morally corrupt,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"John aroused Herod by his moral admonitions, not by any formal accusation. He wanted to correct, not to suppress. Herod, however, preferred to suppress rather than be reconciled. To those who are held captive, the freedom of the one innocent of wrongdoing becomes hateful. Virtue is undesirable to those who are immoral; holiness is abhorrent to those who are impious; chastity is an enemy to those who are impure; integrity is a hardship for those who are corrupt; frugality runs counter to those who are self-indulgent; mercy is intolerable to those who are cruel, as is loving-kindness to those who are pitiless and justice to those who are unjust. The Evangelist indicates this when he says, "John said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother Philip.'" This is where John runs into trouble. He who admonishes those who are evil gives offense. He who repudiates wrongdoers runs into trouble. John was saying what was proper of the law, what was proper of justice, what was proper of salvation and what was proper certainly not of hatred but of love. And look at the reward he received from the ungodly for his loving concern!" (excerpt from SERMONS 127.6-7)

[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Ecclesiastes is also called Qoheleth or the Preacher who declares “vanity of vanities”. Everything is not new so why are we expecting new and original events. Qoheleth wanted to attack the reward and punishment ideas of his culture. Live the best life you can, he suggests. In conclusion, “Do the best you can”. Herod the Tetrarch, who had John the Baptist beheaded is fascinated by both John the Baptist and Jesus. He recognizes the Good of Jesus even from living his dissolute lifestyle.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 comments that It’s true that time marches on and that all things will pass away like a vapor in the wind. But not everything is vanity. Your life and your decisions have eternal value because you were made for eternity. The breath of God, his very life, is in you. And that life is a life of divine love, a love that “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Imagine! Your prayer life, your devotion to your loved ones, your love for Scripture, your care for your neighbor, your compassion for the least of those among us—these are all grace-filled movements of the heart. And they do not fade. They are all moments when you can touch heaven here and now. They are moments when you encounter the Lord, who is inviting you into the blessed communion for which you were created.

Your life is not vanity! When everything else passes away like a wisp of cloud, the new creation you have become in Christ will remain.

“Thank you, Jesus, for breathing your life into me!” (Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, explains that so-called “redemptive violence” usually only perpetuates the cycles of violence Jesus came to stop. What Leviticus 16–27 describes as the “law of holiness”—separation from sinful people, the rejection of certain actions and things—is turned around in Jesus so that the very acts of separation, superiority, and rejection are in fact the sins! 

I believe Jesus is teaching us that if we put our energy into choosing the good—instead of the negative and largely illusionary energy of rejecting the bad—we will overcome evil in a much better way and will not become evil ourselves. This is exactly what he does on the cross, and I believe it is at the heart of his message. At our center in New Mexico, we have taken it as one of our central axioms that “the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.” 

More than anything else, this is how Jesus reformed the laws of religion and undercut the basis for all violent, exclusionary, and punitive behavior. He became the forgiving victim so we would stop creating victims ourselves. He became the falsely accused one so we would be careful whom we accuse.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit as we attempt to work with the sometimes hidden goodness in our environment to encourage greater love and compassion in our interactions.

References

Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/1?1 

Janky, G. (2026, September 24). Daily Reflection September 24, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-24-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?7 

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:2-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/24/1675587/ 

Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/90?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Myth of Redemptive Violence. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-myth-of-redemptive-violence/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Suppressing Truth to Ease a Guilty Conscience. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?