Faith and Fasting

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to practice fasting as a spiritual aid to clarify our mission and position as disciples of Christ.

Fasting from Distraction

 The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians presents Paul as trustworthy steward of the Word.

a. [4:1] Ti 1:7; 1 Pt 4:10.

b. [4:4] 2 Cor 1:12; Rom 2:16; 2 Cor 5:10. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 37 responds to the problem of evil.

* [Psalm 37] The Psalm responds to the problem of evil, which the Old Testament often expresses as a question: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer? The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary. God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth. The perspective is concrete and earthbound: people’s very actions place them among the ranks of the good or wicked. Each group or “way” has its own inherent dynamism—eventual frustration for the wicked, eventual reward for the just. The Psalm is an acrostic, i.e., each section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has its own imagery and logic. (Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses Questions About Fasting.

* [5:34–35] See notes on Mt 9:15 and Mk 2:19.

* [5:34] Wedding guests: literally, “sons of the bridal chamber.”

* [5:36–39] See notes on Mt 9:16–17 and Mk 2:19.

* [5:39] The old is good: this saying is meant to be ironic and offers an explanation for the rejection by some of the new wine that Jesus offers: satisfaction with old forms will prevent one from sampling the new. (Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. John Shea, SJ, asks “so, when do we fast and when do we feast?” Jesus answers by teaching the importance of flexibility.

Sometimes fasting is appropriate. Sometimes feasting is appropriate. We need to discern when to be flexible and when we need to stay the course. When we feel close to God, when we feel peace, joy and consolation, then we recognize the right thing to do and we want to do it. When we feel distant from God, when we feel desolation, then we may need to fast and pray. During these moments of confusion, we turn to God. We ask God to break open our hearts, stretching and expanding our hearts so we can better love God and others. (Shea, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ will send you wise men and scribes,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"A scribe is one who, through continual reading of the Old and New Testaments, has laid up for himself a storehouse of knowledge. Thus Christ blesses those who have gathered in themselves the education both of the law and of the gospel, so as to 'bring forth from their treasure things both new and old.' And Christ compares such people with a scribe, just as in another place he says, 'I will send you wise men and scribes' (Matthew 23:34)"(excerpt from FRAGMENT 172) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul speaks of missionaries as stewards of the message of God who are entrusted with a vocation. Paul rejects judgement by others for doing the works of God. A lot of time can be spent with difficulty because of our ego and we need to ask If our activity is for me or for the Kingdom. The scribes and Pharisees question Jesus about fasting. The guests do not fast while the bridegroom is with them. We fast for reasons like to exercise discipline, using food in perspective, solidarity with others, in sharing and making Christ the centre, to mourn the death of the beloved, and on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday we fast from things that are too significant in our lives. New patches and new wine skins remind us to separate the new from the old. Friar Jude wonders if the exhortation that “the old is good” is to keep in mind that Judaism is important to Luke in his instruction to the Gentiles. 

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 comments that we are all “stewards” of the mysteries of God since we are all called to share the treasure of the gospel with the people around us (1 Corinthians 4:1).

There’s always the risk of “breaking a plate,” but don’t let that keep you from trying. Maybe you won’t do everything just right. That’s okay, because nobody’s perfect. And it doesn’t change the fact that God has entrusted you with a great and precious treasure that he wants you to share. He knows you’re an earthen vessel of his grace (2 Corinthians 4:7). But he also knows that his grace is strong and resilient—and you can rely on him!

“Jesus, thank you for entrusting me with the treasures of your gospel!” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr introduces Theologian M. Shawn Copeland who laments the many people and places that suffer ongoing crucifixion. Copeland points to the compassion that grows in disciples who follow Christ into the world’s suffering.

The crucified Jesus enfleshes for all and for us the very meaning of being human, of being a person who embraces and lives out God’s gracious gift of love and freedom.

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34–36)…. We who would be his disciples discover our humanity, our personhood in imitation of him—in taking up our cross in order to transform evil into good, for the cross belongs not only to Christ but to all humanity. “He chose it because of us, and we choose it because of him.” [2] We who would be his disciples incarnate the meaning in our own lives by following the moans and tears … into a crucified world, taking up an active, compassionate, solidaristic mission. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we take time to reduce the distractions in our day that tend to divert our attention away from the Way of Full Life.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5?33 

Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/04/1662309/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/4?1 

Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/37? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Following Christ Crucified. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/following-christ-crucified/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Unity of the New and the Old. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shea, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection September 4, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 4, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-4-2026 

A Catch of Abundant Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church, proclaim our mission to serve as fishers in Jesus' great harvest of love.

Fishers of Love

The Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians proclaims The Role of God’s Ministers.

* [3:21–23] These verses pick up the line of thought of 1 Cor 1:10–13. If the Corinthians were genuinely wise (1 Cor 3:18–20), their perceptions would be reversed, and they would see everything in the world and all those with whom they exist in the church in their true relations with one another. Paul assigns all the persons involved in the theological universe a position on a scale: God, Christ, church members, church leaders. Read from top to bottom, the scale expresses ownership; read from bottom to top, the obligation to serve. This picture should be complemented by similar statements such as those in 1 Cor 8:6 and 1 Cor 15:20–28. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 affirms people's fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary.

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Call of Simon the Fisherman.

* [5:1–11] This incident has been transposed from his source, Mk 1:16–20, which places it immediately after Jesus makes his appearance in Galilee. By this transposition Luke uses this example of Simon’s acceptance of Jesus to counter the earlier rejection of him by his hometown people, and since several incidents dealing with Jesus’ power and authority have already been narrated, Luke creates a plausible context for the acceptance of Jesus by Simon and his partners. Many commentators have noted the similarity between the wondrous catch of fish reported here (Lk 5:4–9) and the post-resurrectional appearance of Jesus in Jn 21:1–11. There are traces in Luke’s story that the post-resurrectional context is the original one: in Lk 5:8 Simon addresses Jesus as Lord (a post-resurrectional title for Jesus—see Lk 24:34; Acts 2:36—that has been read back into the historical ministry of Jesus) and recognizes himself as a sinner (an appropriate recognition for one who has denied knowing Jesus—Lk 22:54–62). As used by Luke, the incident looks forward to Peter’s leadership in Luke-Acts (Lk 6:14; 9:20; 22:31–32; 24:34; Acts 1:15; 2:14–40; 10:11–18; 15:7–12) and symbolizes the future success of Peter as fisherman (Acts 2:41). 

* [5:11] They left everything: in Mk 1:16–20 and Mt 4:18–22 the fishermen who follow Jesus leave their nets and their father; in Luke, they leave everything (see also Lk 5:28; 12:33; 14:33; 18:22), an indication of Luke’s theme of complete detachment from material possessions.(Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

In today’s scripture, Cindy Costanzo can feel the apostle’s weariness, hopelessness, and concern. Yet Simon Peter can do as Jesus commands based on true trust, the decision to be obedient even when there was doubt; or when logic told him “No way” - but Simon Peter throws in the net one more time. 

Jesus asks us to trust him. How do we build that trust muscle? I know keeping Jesus close to me is key in strengthening trust. What works for me may not work for others. But here it goes. Daily quiet time with Jesus even if for a few minutes asking the Holy Spirit to impact my day; attending services and listening to an expert interpret the scriptures, joining bible studies, listening to music that praises the Holy Spirit; identifying gratitude’s - what are 5 things I am grateful for today? Completing the Examen, it does not happen every day but it’s an important tool for me. Service - what one thing can I do to be of service today for someone? These activities allow me to embrace Jesus and his teachings and build my ability to keep Jesus close to me and build that trust muscle.  Trust was a necessary trait 2000 years ago as it is today. Come Holy Spirit! (Costanzo, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “By faith Peter casts the nets of Christ's teaching,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD)

"'That you may understand that the Lord was speaking of spiritual fishing, however, Peter says, 'Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.' It is as if he were saying, 'Through the whole night our fishing has brought us nothing, and we have been laboring in vain. Now I will not fish with fishing gear but with grace, not with diligence acquired by skill but with the perseverance acquired by devotion.' When Peter lets down the nets at the word, therefore, he is in fact letting down the teachings in Christ. When he unfolds the tightly woven and well-ordered nets at the command of the Master, he is really laying out words in the name of the Savior in a fitting and clear fashion. By these words he is able to save not creatures but souls. 'We toiled all night,' he says, 'and took nothing.' Peter, who beforehand was unable to see in order to make a catch, enduring darkness without Christ, had indeed toiled through the whole night. But when the Savior's light shone upon him the darkness scattered, and by faith he began to discern in the deep what he could not see with his eyes." (excerpt from SERMON 110.2.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the readings for today. Paul speaks to the Corinthians not about worldly wisdom but about Divine Revelation because their revelation is based on ego and pride. Paul, Apollos, and Cephas are not important. Does Christ come through in our speech? In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus asks the fishers to drop their nets in deep water even when those nets would only catch surface fish who normally retreat to colder deeper water as the Sea of Galilee warms in the sun. The catch is so abundant that Peter, in recognition of the Divine Intervention and the implication to his life, declares “Depart from me a sinful man”. Friar Jude notes a kind of recognition of the transformation of our gifts for building the Kingdom as Peter and the fishers are called to do.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 5:1-11 comments Jesus invites all of us into “deep water”? Through prayer, he calls us into a personal relationship with him. Yet perhaps we sometimes feel a bit like Peter when he told the Lord, “We have worked hard all night and have caught nothing” (Luke 5:5). Maybe we try to talk to God but don’t feel his presence or sense him speaking to us. Or we continue to ask him to heal a difficult relationship or a loved one, but nothing happens. It’s tempting in such situations to skip our times of prayer or stop praying altogether. It’s hard to keep lowering our nets, only to come up empty once again!

Every day, find a time to “put out into deep water” by raising your heart and mind to your Lord. Even if you don’t harvest a “great number of fish” each time you pray (Luke 5:6), trust that he is pleased with your desire to know him more deeply and to follow him more closely.

“Lord, help me to go deeper with you.” (Meditation on Luke 5:1-11, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr considers the cross as the center of Jesus’s life—fully human, fully divine—and expressing total solidarity with the pain of the world. 

Jesus the Christ, in his crucifixion and resurrection, “recapitulated all things in himself, everything in heaven and everything on earth” (Ephesians 1:10). This one verse is the summary of Franciscan Christology. Jesus agreed to carry the mystery of universal suffering. He allowed it to change him (resurrection) and—it is to be hoped—us, too. Christ frees us from the endless cycle of projecting our pain elsewhere or remaining trapped inside of it…

The gospel is simply the wisdom of those who agree to carry their part of the infinite suffering of God. It must be recognized that many non-Christians fully accept this vocation with greater freedom than many Christians. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to reinforce the strength of our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader as we go out to challenge the deep waters to let down our nets with compassion and care and bring home to God a catch that overpowers doubt with nets of abundant love.

References

Costanzo, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton On Line Ministries. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-3-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5? 

Meditation on Luke 5:1-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/03/1661829/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3? 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Full of Suffering, Full of Love. CAC Daily Meditation. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/full-of-suffering-full-of-love/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Will Catch People for the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Need for Healing

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, on 2 Sept, invite us to reflect on the events of healing we have experienced and the connection to our faith.

Healing and Peace

The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians compares Spiritual people and fleshly people.

* [3:1–4] The Corinthians desire a sort of wisdom dialogue or colloquy with Paul; they are looking for solid, adult food, and he appears to disappoint their expectations. Paul counters: if such a dialogue has not yet taken place, the reason is that they are still at an immature stage of development (cf. 1 Cor 2:6).

* [3:1] Spiritual people…fleshly people: Paul employs two clusters of concepts and terms to distinguish what later theology will call the “natural” and the “supernatural.” (1) The natural person (1 Cor 2:14) is one whose existence, perceptions, and behavior are determined by purely natural principles, the psychē (1 Cor 2:14) and the sarx (flesh, a biblical term that connotes creatureliness, 1 Cor 3:1, 3). Such persons are only infants (1 Cor 3:1); they remain on a purely human level (anthrōpoi, 1 Cor 3:4). (2) On the other hand, they are called to be animated by a higher principle, the pneuma, God’s spirit. They are to become spiritual (pneumatikoi, 1 Cor 3:1) and mature (1 Cor 2:6) in their perceptions and behavior (cf. Gal 5:16–26). The culmination of existence in the Spirit is described in 1 Cor 15:44–49.

* [3:3–4] Jealousy, rivalry, and divisions in the community are symptoms of their arrested development; they reveal the immaturity both of their self-understanding (1 Cor 3:4) and of the judgments about their apostles (1 Cor 3:21). (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 33 praises God’s choosing human beings as special.

* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law and Other Healings as Jesus Leaves Capernaum.

* [4:31–44] The next several incidents in Jesus’ ministry take place in Capernaum and are based on Luke’s source, Mk 1:21–39. To the previous portrait of Jesus as prophet (Lk 4:16–30) they now add a presentation of him as teacher (Lk 4:31–32), exorcist (Lk 4:32–37, 41), healer (Lk 4:38–40), and proclaimer of God’s kingdom (Lk 4:43).

* [4:34] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Have you come to destroy us?: the question reflects the current belief that before the day of the Lord control over humanity would be wrested from the evil spirits, evil destroyed, and God’s authority over humanity reestablished. The synoptic gospel tradition presents Jesus carrying out this task.

* [4:38] The house of Simon: because of Luke’s arrangement of material, the reader has not yet been introduced to Simon (cf. Mk 1:16–18, 29–31). Situated as it is before the call of Simon (Lk 5:1–11), it helps the reader to understand Simon’s eagerness to do what Jesus says (Lk 5:5) and to follow him (Lk 5:11).

* [4:41] They knew that he was the Messiah: that is, the Christ (see note on Lk 2:11).

* [4:42] They tried to prevent him from leaving them: the reaction of these strangers in Capernaum is presented in contrast to the reactions of those in his hometown who rejected him (Lk 4:28–30).

* [4:44] In the synagogues of Judea: instead of Judea, which is the best reading of the manuscript tradition, the Byzantine text tradition and other manuscripts read “Galilee,” a reading that harmonizes Luke with Mt 4:23 and Mk 1:39. Up to this point Luke has spoken only of a ministry of Jesus in Galilee. Luke may be using Judea to refer to the land of Israel, the territory of the Jews, and not to a specific portion of it. (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Rashmi Fernando, SJ, comments that we can spend ourselves responding to every demand and eventually forget to ask: What is God actually asking of me? Perhaps, no matter how busy His day was, Jesus withdrew to a lonely place early in the morning, just to ask this question himself; to return to the source before He continues His mission. This solitude is not an escape from reality or a getaway from work. It was what enabled Him to continue His work more faithfully.

We, too, need those lonely places—quiet times of the day, Examen, silent retreats, etc. Not necessarily physical places, but moments of silence where we step away from the noises of this world to listen to the voice of God. Because sometimes the most faithful thing is not saying “yes” to everything, but discerning to say, “I must go on.” Hence, let us ask ourselves:

Where in my life have I become so busy “being needed” that I have forgotten to listen to what God is actually asking of me?

What “lonely place” do I need to return to so that I can hear God’s voice beneath the many voices competing for my attention?

What is God inviting me to let go of—or to move beyond—so that I can more faithfully continue the mission entrusted to me? (Fernando, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes Jesus the Chief Physician, by Jerome (347-420 AD)

"'Now Simon's mother-in-law was kept in her bed sick with a fever.' May Christ come to our house and enter in and by his command cure the fever of our sins. Each one of us is sick with a fever. Whenever I give way to anger, I have a fever. There are as many fevers as there are faults and vices. Let us beg the apostles to intercede for us with Jesus, that he may come to us and touch our hand. If he does so, at once our fever is gone. He is an excellent physician and truly the chief Physician. Moses is a physician. Isaiah is a physician. All the saints are physicians, but he is the chief Physician." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 75.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the readings for today. Paul speaks of the earthly revelation of Incarnate Jesus that brings Divisions even if the Holy Spirit brings unity. He speaks of them still being in the flesh of our concupiscence. Paul planted and Apollos watered in Baptism and Jesus  and Christ caused the growth. Priests and deacons are not the only ministers at this time. We were built in service and in Luke, we hear how Jesus healed Peter’s Mother-in-Law. The legend of Luke as a physician is supported by the fever being described in some detail. The response to love is wishing to share it. "Son of God” as the title for hero was usual in Luke’s time but the Evangelist means the only begotten Son of God. Jesus prays before continuing His ministry. Friar Jude asks us to consider “How am I doing Christ's work or is it my agenda?  Friar Jude identifies our need to get our heads in the right place.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 4:38-44 that the grace of God poured into our lives calls forth a response from us. His love begets love in us, and we find joy in laboring alongside our Lord.

Maybe your physical healing gives you an opening to tell others about God’s power at work today. Or maybe your newfound freedom over some sin is a sign to your family that God can change their lives, too. Or maybe the gift of quiet self-control helps you to show the love of Jesus to other people. No matter how the Lord has poured his grace out on you, ask him to help you respond, to start out on a new path of loving service and testimony.

“Lord, I believe you have worked in my life for a purpose. So how can I serve you today?” (Meditation on Luke 4:38-44, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr introduces Sister Joan Chittister, while speaking to the network Women’s Ordination Worldwide, evokes a vision of Christian discipleship that requires great courage.

True discipleship is … a way of living that is not political but which has serious political implications…. The disciple takes public issue with the values of a world that advantages only those who are already advantaged…. It takes umbrage at systems that are more bent on keeping improper people out of them than they are in welcoming all people into them. True discipleship takes the side always, always, always of the poor, the minority, the outcast, the reviled, the rejected, the other, despite the power of the rich and powerful. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ask the Spirit to enkindle in us the fire of love we need to have as we follow Christ in our daily journey.

References

Fernando, R. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 2, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-2-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4? 

Meditation on Luke 4:38-44. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 2, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/02/1661265/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3? 

Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?12 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Discipleship of Equals. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 2, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-discipleship-of-equals/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Laid His Hands on Every One and Healed Them. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 2, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/