Persistence Prayer and Peace

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that persistence and prayer are sometimes the Way to bring peace to the situations that have called us to act.

Persist Pray and Proceed

 

The Reading from the Third Letter of John cites support of Gaius who is faithful in all he does.

* [5] You are faithful in all you do: Gaius’s aid to the missionaries is a manifestation of his true Christian faith.

* [6] Help them…to continue their journey: the Presbyter asks Gaius not only to continue to welcome the missionaries to his community but also to equip them for further travels.

* [7] The Name: of Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 5:41; 1 Jn 2:12; 3:23; 5:13). Accepting nothing: not expecting support from the pagans to whom they preach the gospel, so that they will not be considered as beggars; they required support from other Christians; cf. Paul’s complaints to the Corinthians (1 Cor 9:3–12). (3 John, THE THIRD LETTER OF JOHN | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 112 details the blessings received by those who remain close to God.

* [Psalm 112] An acrostic poem detailing the blessings received by those who remain close to God by obedience to the commandments. Among their blessings are children (Ps 112:2), wealth that enables them to be magnanimous (Ps 112:3, 5, 9), and virtue by which they encourage others (Ps 112:4). The just person is an affront to the wicked, whose hopes remain unfulfilled (Ps 112:10). The logic resembles Ps 1; 111.

* [112:3] Righteousness: in the Second Temple period the word acquired the nuance of liberality and almsgiving, cf. Sir 3:30; 7:10; Mt 6:1–4. (Psalms, PSALM 112 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Parable of the Persistent Widow.

* [18:1–14] The particularly Lucan material in the travel narrative concludes with two parables on prayer. The first (Lk 18:1–8) teaches the disciples the need of persistent prayer so that they not fall victims to apostasy (Lk 18:8). The second (Lk 18:9–14) condemns the self-righteous, critical attitude of the Pharisee and teaches that the fundamental attitude of the Christian disciple must be the recognition of sinfulness and complete dependence on God’s graciousness. The second parable recalls the story of the pardoning of the sinful woman (Lk 7:36–50) where a similar contrast is presented between the critical attitude of the Pharisee Simon and the love shown by the pardoned sinner.

* [18:5] Strike me: the Greek verb translated as strike means “to strike under the eye” and suggests the extreme situation to which the persistence of the widow might lead. It may, however, be used here in the much weaker sense of “to wear one out.” (Luke, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Kimberly Grassmeyer comments that many of us want to know what process steps need to be followed to influence whether our God will deal with us justly and in a timely way.

 

- I know I do! Yet Jesus calls us to pray without ceasing; Jesus assures us here that God will see to it that justice is done for (his chosen) speedily. But then he closes the reading with a provocation: when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? I see this last statement as our challenge: Jesus reminds us that it is only our faith that will save us. I can (and do) try to ‘follow the process steps’ - that is, I try to be a good person, to do good things for others, to live out good intentions, to pray regularly (although well short of unceasingly). Jesus reminds his disciples and you and me that our faith is the thing. Our faith allows us to know and trust that God is with us now and forever. That’s the good news I took from the reading today, and pray that it is the good news that will sustain all of us, and make us new in the Kingdom.  Amen. (Grassmeyer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Persistent prayer transforms iniquity and wickedness into mercy,” by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD).

"How was that unjust judge immoral and wicked? How was the upright judge gracious and just? The first in his iniquity was not willing to vindicate the widow, and in his wickedness, he was not willing to put her mind at rest. The justice of God knows how to vindicate, and his grace discerns how to give life. The iniquity of this wicked judge was contrary to the justice of God, and the wickedness of this rebel was in opposition to the grace of the gentle One. His wickedness therefore was stubbornness, for it dared to go against the fear of God. His boldness was stubborn, for it refused the lowly person."

"These two were stubborn, but persistent prayer was even more stubborn. The persistence of the widow humiliated both the iniquity that was rebelling against God and the boldness that was behaving arrogantly towards human beings. She subjected them to her will, so that they might provide her with a vindication over her adversary. Persistence transformed these two bitter branches, and they bore sweet fruit that was against their nature. The iniquity of the judge brought about a righteous judgment and a just retribution for the falsely accused woman. His wickedness gave peace to the afflicted one, although iniquity does not know how to judge, and wickedness does not know how to give refreshment. Persistence forced these two evil and bitter branches to give good fruit against their nature. If we persist in prayer, we should be even more able to prevail on the grace and justice of God to give us fruit that agrees with their nature. Let justice vindicate us, and let grace refresh us. Accordingly, the fruit of justice is the just reward of the oppressed, while the giving of refreshment to the afflicted is the fruit of grace." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 16.16.6) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today. The Author of 3 John had sent enjoys to the community to contribute to their need. He expresses concern about false doctrine. He wants Christians to supply the needs of the envoys. The proclamation to be persistent in prayer is the message in the Gospel of Luke. The widow nags the judge until he gives in. Luke is not comparing the Father to an evil judge. The message is to be persistent. Friar Jude declares we should storm the gates with chutzpah. God wants us to be persistent and in doing so we are treating God as real and when we push a bit we stand behind what we say is needed.

The Word Among Us Meditation on 3 John 5-8 comments that every person is on a journey home to union with God, and that means we can all offer hospitality to one another. 

So how is the Lord leading you to show hospitality today? Is there a person or family who needs to experience the warmth and welcome of his love through you? Are there people in your parish whose work for the Lord you can affirm and support by inviting them to your home for dinner or coffee? Even if you don’t know them well, you might be surprised to find that someone who was once a stranger has become a brother or sister in Christ.

“Jesus, help me to welcome someone into my life today.” (Meditation on 3 John 5-8, 2026)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Buddhist teacher Kaira Jewel Lingo who reminds us that it is by returning to ourselves that we can participate in the healing of the world. 

My dog was in the back seat, enjoying the window down, looking at the world. A mom was in the car next to me with a little girl in the back seat, maybe four or five years old. The mom asked me—just with a gesture—to let her in my lane. I agreed with a nod. Then her little girl saw my dog and smiled. A real smile at the dog, then at me. I smiled back.

We were simply present to one another. 

It was magical. It was healing. 

That smile was spontaneous. It came from presence, and presence comes from reclaiming our attention, from showing up for the small, ordinary moments. 

That small exchange revealed something important about what is ours to do: 

To take refuge in ourselves. To heal and transform. To see things clearly. 

To live ethically—not out of shame, but out of love. 

To build community. To reconcile as best we can. 

To be a manifestation of the planet healing itself. 

To be fresh. Solid. Calm. Free. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to empower us with persistence in our vocation and consolation in our prayer as we work to be agents of peace for the people we encounter daily.

References

Grassmeyer, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 14, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-14-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/18? 

Meditation on 3 John 5-8. (2026, November 14). The Word Among Us. Retrieved November 14, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/11/14/1713647/ 

Psalms, PSALM 112 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/112?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). What Is Mine to Do?: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 14, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/what-is-mine-to-do-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Always Pray and Do Not Lose Heart. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 14, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

3 John, THE THIRD LETTER OF JOHN | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/3john/1? 

Living Large Faith

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to remain faithful in our life journey to avoid rash decisions and diversions from fullness of life.

Faith in Action

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• In the Reading from the Second Letter of John, the Presbyter encourages those who have remained faithful.
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• * [4] Some of your children: this refers to those whom the Presbyter has recently encountered, but it may also indicate the presence of false doctrine in the community: the Presbyter encourages those who have remained faithful. Walking in the truth: an expression used in the Johannine writings to describe a way of living in which the Christian faith is visibly expressed; cf. 1 Jn 1:6–7; 2:6, 11; 3 Jn 3.
• * [6] His commandments: cf. 1 Jn 3:23; 2:7–8; 4:21; obedience to the commandment of faith and love includes all others.
• * [7] The antichrist: see 1 Jn 2:18–19, 22; 4:3.
• * [8] You (plural): it is not certain whether this means the Christians addressed or includes the Presbyter, since some of the ancient Greek manuscripts and Greek Fathers have “we.”
• * [9] Anyone who is so “progressive”: literally, “Anyone who goes ahead.” Some gnostic groups held the doctrine of the Christ come in the flesh to be a first step in belief, which the more advanced and spiritual believer surpassed and abandoned in his knowledge of the spiritual Christ. The author affirms that fellowship with God may be gained only by holding to the complete doctrine of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:22–23; 4:2; 5:5–6). (2 John, THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN | USCCB, n.d.)
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• Psalm 119 praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by.
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• * [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them… Each verse contains one word for “instruction.” The translation here given attempts to translate each Hebrew word for “instruction” with the same English word. There are, however, nine words for “instruction,” not eight, so the principle of a different word for “instruction” in each verse cannot be maintained with perfect consistency. The nine words for “instruction” in the translation are: law, statute, commandment, precept, testimony, word, judgment, way, and promise. (Psalms, PSALM 199 | USCCB, n.d.)
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• In the Gospel of Luke Jesus reassures the faithful about the Day of the Son of Man.
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• * [17:20–37] To the question of the Pharisees about the time of the coming of God’s kingdom, Jesus replies that the kingdom is among you (Lk 17:20–21). The emphasis has thus been shifted from an imminent observable coming of the kingdom to something that is already present in Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. Luke has also appended further traditional sayings of Jesus about the unpredictable suddenness of the day of the Son of Man, and assures his readers that in spite of the delay of that day (Lk 12:45), it will bring judgment unexpectedly on those who do not continue to be vigilant.
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• * [17:21] Among you: the Greek preposition translated as among can also be translated as “within.” In the light of other statements in Luke’s gospel about the presence of the kingdom (see Lk 10:9, 11; 11:20) “among” is to be preferred.
• * [17:36] The inclusion of Lk 17:36, “There will be two men in the field; one will be taken, the other left behind,” in some Western manuscripts appears to be a scribal assimilation to Mt 24:40. (Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)
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• Cindy Costanzo asks “Are we spiritually prepared or not?” In biblical history the sudden voice of God or appearance of Christ has occurred abruptly and without warning - how do I stay vigilant and ready?
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• How do I amidst my ordinary daily routines of work, kids, family, obligations remain spiritually ready and prepared?... 
• How do I keep my identity in Christ and not in my job title/position, place in society or on my material assets, security and comforts?...
• How do I let go of self-preservation - and stop micromanaging, obsessing over the future, fighting to be in control, worrying about when and where the next bad thing will happen....
• How do I build genuine, organic relationships that can grow and evolve? How do I let go of the fear of rejection, the loneliness, rigid expectations, the need to change people, or putting on a ‘mask’ to hide my true self....
• How do I recognize the grace in every moment and see change as a pruning process understanding transitions occur with every decade of life....
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• A beautiful Reflection by the Henri Nouwen Society captured my thoughts well for today’s scripture and reflection:
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• “Life is God’s initiative and can end or change suddenly unexpectedly; and unpredictably; when we humans are ready to give up hope and resign ourselves to inevitability; God intervenes and reveals completely new beginnings; The resurrection of Jesus is God’s sign breaking through every form of human fatalism and despair,” (Costanzo, n.d.)
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• Don Schwager quotes “Those working in the field are sowing the Word of God,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
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• "'He that will be on the housetop, do not let him go down. He that will be in the field, do not let him turn back.' How may I understand what is the field unless Jesus himself teaches me? He says, 'No one putting his hand to the plough (plow) and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God' (Luke 9:62). The lazy person sits in the farmhouse, but the industrious person plants in the field. The weak are at the fireplace, but the strong are at the plough. The smell of a field is good, because the smell of Jacob is the smell of a full field (Genesis 27:27). A field is full of flowers. It is full of different fruits. Plough your field if you want to be sent to the kingdom of God. Let your field flower, fruitful with good rewards. Let there be a fruitful vine on the sides of your house and young olive plants around your table (Psalm 127:3). Already aware of its fertility, let your soul, sown with the Word of God and tilled by spiritual farming, say to Christ, 'Come, my brother, let us go out into the field' (Song of Solomon 7:11). Let him reply, 'I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my vintage of myrrh' (Song of Solomon 5:1). What is better than the vintage of faith, by which the fruit of the resurrection is stored and the spring of eternal rejoicing is watered?" (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.43.27) (Schwager, n.d.)
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• Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today. We hear the author address his lady, the Church, to whom he is writing. He urges we Love one another at a time of the anti-Christ implied in Docetism, the belief the physical and spiritual Christ were separate. The spiritual person of Christ was the only important being. The Gospel of Luke presents how destruction came upon the earth in the time of Noah and Lot. We must always be ready as one may be taken and the other left. To those who believe in “the rapture and the 1000 year blessing” this is the passage cited. Friar Jude notes that “Rapture” means slaughter and where the body is there is also the vulture and a bit of anti Roman polemic referring to the “eagle” of the Roman military.
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• The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:26-37 comments that in today’s Gospel, Jesus describes “the days of the Son of Man”—the days leading to his Second Coming—as coming upon us with alarming suddenness (Luke 17:26). What if we also tried to pay more attention to the Lord as we went about our everyday lives? What if we took a different approach to those activities that Jesus mentions?

• “Eating” can become a time to thank God for providing for your needs and to share about his goodness with your family.
• “Planting” can be a time to honor the beauty of God revealed in his creation.
• “Building,” whether building a family or a business, can be done with love and faithfulness and in a way that mirrors the goodness and generosity of God our Creator.

When we invite the Lord to guide us in what we do, our daily activities can become opportunities to grow closer to him, and that makes us long for him more and become better prepared to welcome him when he comes again.

Today, choose just one area of your life and try to focus it a little more on Jesus. What’s important is not when he will return but how you can make him the center of your life right now!

“Lord, help me to be more ready for your return by focusing more on you right now.” (Meditation on Luke 17:26-37, 2026)

Father Richard encourages us toward a vocational call. Parker Palmer, a Quaker teacher and activist reflects on his own “further journey”.

Then I ran across the old Quaker saying, “Let your life speak.” 

Today, some thirty years later, “Let your life speak” means something else to me … : “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent.” [2]

In other words, your life is not about you. You are about a larger thing called Life. You are not your own. You are an instance of a universal and eternal pattern. Life is living itself in you. The myriad forms of life in the universe are merely parts of the One Life—that many of us call “God.” We don’t have to figure it all out, fix everything, or do life perfectly by ourselves. It is an enormous weight off our backs. All we have to do is participate in this One Life. To find our unique niche in that Always Larger Life is what we mean by “vocation.” [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide our vocation as we come to understand the gift in our realization that our life is not about ourselves but is realized in the Way we love the people with whom we live and have our being.

References

Costanzo, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-13-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?26 

Meditation on Luke 17:26-37. (2026, November 13). The Word Among Us. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/11/13/1713082/ 

Psalms, PSALM 199 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Our Life’s Call. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/our-lifes-call/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). One Will Be Taken and the Other Left. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 John, THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2john/1? 

Freedom in the Kingdom

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider how we make use of the freedom we have to prepare our environment for an encounter with Christ.

Prepare for the Encounter

The Reading from the Letter to Philemon concerns Onesimus, a slave from Colossae.

This short letter addressed to three specific individuals was written by Paul during an imprisonment, perhaps in Rome between A.D. 61 and 63 (see the Introduction to Colossians for other possible sites). It concerns Onesimus, a slave from Colossae (Col 4:9), who had run away from his master, perhaps guilty of theft in the process (Phlm 18). Onesimus was converted to Christ by Paul (Phlm 10). Paul sends him back to his master (Phlm 12) with this letter asking that he be welcomed willingly by his old master (Phlm 8–10, 14, 17) not just as a slave but as a brother in Christ (Phlm 16). Paul uses very strong arguments (especially Phlm 19) in his touching appeal on behalf of Onesimus. It is unlikely that Paul is subtly hinting that he would like to retain Onesimus as his own slave, lent to Paul by his master. Rather, he suggests he would like to have Onesimus work with him for the gospel (Phlm 13, 20–21). There is, however, little evidence connecting this Onesimus with a bishop of Ephesus of the same name mentioned by Ignatius of Antioch (ca. A.D. 110). (Letter to Philemon, CHAPTER 0 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 146 proclaims there is no other source of strength except the merciful God.

* [Psalm 146] A hymn of someone who has learned there is no other source of strength except the merciful God. Only God, not mortal human beings (Ps 146:3–4), can help vulnerable and oppressed people (Ps 146:5–9). The first of the five hymns that conclude the Psalter. (Psalms, PSALM 146 | USCCB, n.d.)

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The Gospel of Luke presents questions about the Coming of the Kingdom of God and the Day of the Son of Man.

* [17:20–37] To the question of the Pharisees about the time of the coming of God’s kingdom, Jesus replies that the kingdom is among you (Lk 17:20–21). The emphasis has thus been shifted from an imminent observable coming of the kingdom to something that is already present in Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. Luke has also appended further traditional sayings of Jesus about the unpredictable suddenness of the day of the Son of Man, and assures his readers that in spite of the delay of that day (Lk 12:45), it will bring judgment unexpectedly on those who do not continue to be vigilant.

* [17:21] Among you: the Greek preposition translated as among can also be translated as “within.” In the light of other statements in Luke’s gospel about the presence of the kingdom (see Lk 10:9, 11; 11:20) “among” is to be preferred. (Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mike Cherney comments that understanding of the Kingdom becomes especially concrete in Paul’s letter. Paul’s appeal challenges me to recognize the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of wealth, status, or social position. His request that Philemon welcome Onesimus as a brother is more than a call for kindness; it invites faith to reshape human relationships. The Kingdom becomes visible when the excluded are welcomed, power gives way to compassion, and reconciliation takes precedence over privilege. 

I see Chaplin’s speech, today’s Gospel, and Paul’s letter sharing a common invitation, that is, to recognize our shared humanity and make it visible through our actions. This forms a basis for my prayer today.

Dear Lord, 

Your love transforms human relationships. 

It restores dignity to those to whom it has been denied. 

Too often I merely search for the Kingdom of God as somewhere far beyond. 

Help me to learn to recognize the presence of Your Kingdom. 

Give me the fortitude to participate in it through the way that I live. (Cherney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Don't pursue human glory,” by John Cassian (360-435 AD).

"If the devil has been driven out and sin no longer reigns, then the kingdom of God is established in us. As it is written in the Gospel, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation, nor will they say, 'Lo here,' or 'Lo, there.' Truly I say to you that the kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:20-21). The only thing that can be 'within us' is knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the affection for righteousness or sin by which we prepare our hearts to be a kingdom of Christ or the devil. St. Paul described the nature of this kingdom in this way: 'For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). If the kingdom of God is within us and is righteousness, peace and joy, then someone that remains in these is surely within the kingdom of God. Someone that remains in unrighteousness, conflict and the melancholy that kills the life of the spirit is already a citizen of the devil's kingdom, of hell and of death. These are the signs whether it is God's kingdom or the devil's." (excerpt from CONFERENCE 1.13.5) 

[John Cassian was an early 5th century church father who lived for several years with the monks in Bethlehem and Egypt before founding a monastery in southern Gaul.] (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:20-25 comments so what was this kingdom, and when would it come? The simple answer was that it was already present among them—it was wherever Jesus was present and welcomed! His kingdom is not about power or material comfort but “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). It’s about lives changed and hearts reconciled to God. We don’t need to wait for the end of all conflict. The kingdom of God is already present among us and within us (Luke 17:21).

Jesus has said that his kingdom “does not belong to this world” (John 18:36). But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t belong in this world. Just as the kingdom was wherever Jesus was, it’s present today in every disciple who lives according to his ways. You are one of those disciples. You carry the kingdom within you because you carry Christ in you. That means people can encounter the kingdom through you. Through you they can experience how blessed and grace-filled and hopeful a life of discipleship can be. So how will you live as an ambassador of God’s kingdom today?

“Jesus, my King, help me to extend your reign!” (Meditation on Luke 17:20-25, n.d.)

The Next Right Step is the topic that Author and pastor Cameron Trimble describes how the wilderness experience of the ancient Israelites is a model for us today:

We are living through one of those rare moments in history when large numbers of people feel that a chapter is ending, even though no one can yet describe what comes next…. We don’t really know where we are on this journey, and that uncertainty can feel overwhelming.… I’m reminded of the book of Exodus, which tells us that Moses led his flock “to the farthest end of the wilderness” (Exodus 3:1).… (Trimble, n.d.)

We seek the consolation of the Spirit when naturally we seem to ponder the end of our current situation at this time of year.

References

Cherney, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection November 12, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-12-2026 

Letter to Philemon, CHAPTER 0 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philemon/0?7 

Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17? 

Meditation on Luke 17:20-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/11/12/1712561/ 

Psalms, PSALM 146 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/146?7 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Coming of Christ's Kingdom. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Trimble, C. (n.d.). The Next Right Step. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-next-right-step/