Vindication and Vision

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider the path of our life’s journey and express gratitude for the life and love that guides our story. 

“See Everything Limitlessly Forever”

In the Reading from the Book of Job, he encounters Vindication.

* [42:2–4] In his final speech, Job quotes God’s own words (see 38:2–3; 40:7).

* [42:5] In 19:25–27 Job had affirmed a hope to “see” (three times) his vindicator. Now he has seen the Lord about whom he had heard so much.

* [42:6] A difficult verse. Some doubt, in view of God’s commendation in v. 7, that Job does in fact express repentance, and alternative translations are often given. Along with v. 5, it describes a change in Job, which the encounter with the Lord has brought about. Dust and ashes: an ambiguous phrase. It can refer to the human condition (cf. Gn 18:27; Jb 30:19) or to Job’s ash heap (2:8).

* [42:15] Ordinarily daughters did not inherit property unless there were no sons; cf. Nm 27:1–11. (Job, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 119 praises God for such splendid laws and instruction.

* [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. Several expected elements do not appear in the Psalm: Mount Sinai with its story of God’s revelation and gift to Israel of instruction and commandments, the Temple and other institutions related to revelation and laws (frequent in other Psalms). The Psalm is fascinated with God’s word directing and guiding human life. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Return of the Seventy-two and Praise of the Father in The Privileges of Discipleship.

* [10:18] I have observed Satan fall like lightning: the effect of the mission of the seventy-two is characterized by the Lucan Jesus as a symbolic fall of Satan. As the kingdom of God is gradually being established, evil in all its forms is being defeated; the dominion of Satan over humanity is at an end. 

* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27.(Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Colleen Chiacchere, Creighton University’s Director for Mission Engagement, authored this reflection from Creighton’s Online Ministries archives. We find that we experience lessons or even ‘successes’ in our spiritual journeys by paying attention, by being open, by being more aware of God’s presence than by our own preferences or will.

A theme for me that also surfaced here with these readings is the idea of journey. The disciples are with Jesus as he journeys toward Jerusalem.  They are learning, listening, praying; literally and figuratively walking with him.  Having recently participated in an Ignatian pilgrimage with a group of faculty, staff and student pilgrims from around Creighton to Spain and Rome, this notion of being a pilgrim has continued with me even on my return from the pilgrimage, to my regular life.  I have been praying to be a companion on the journey with Jesus, as Ignatius was.  Being a companion often reveals successes and spiritual lessons.  Being a companion is often difficult and involves walking uphill.

I pray for each of us, humble pilgrims on our own journeys (and collective journey) towards God, with Jesus, that we don’t get too disappointed by setbacks or too self-congratulatory about successes.  Let us continue to be aware and guided by Jesus as we accompany him in our everyday responsibilities, tasks and steps in this “ordinary time.” (Chiacchere, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The power of the Kingdom of God,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"He also gave the holy apostles power and might even to raise the dead, cleanse lepers, heal the sick, and by the laying on of hands to call down from heaven the Holy Spirit on anyone they wanted. He gave them power to bind and to loose people's sins. His words are 'I say to you, whatever you will bind on earth, will be bound in heaven (Matthew 18:18). Whatever you will loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven.' These are the things we see ourselves possessing. Blessed are our eyes and the eyes of those of all who love him. We have heard his wonderful teaching. He has given us the knowledge of God the Father, and he has shown him to us in his own nature. The things that were by Moses were only types and symbols. Christ has revealed the truth to us. He has taught us that not by blood and smoke, but rather by spiritual sacrifices, we must  honor him who is spiritual, immaterial and above all understanding."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 67) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winker comments on the texts for today. Job is reflecting on the wisdom of God and his coming to see how God knows and controls. Job understands that he does not understand the mystery of suffering for which we have to trust in God. Friar Jude comments that the last verses stand out as a possible addition to the book where Job declares acceptance of the mystery of suffering. The later rewards from God indicate a different and difficult concept that is “ Do Good and you will be blessed.” Job celebrates the sight of God in the flesh more than material restoration. In the Gospel of Luke, the Seventy Two return and celebrate that the demons were subject to them. Friar Jude suggests that our spiritual gifts are not signs of holiness. Holiness is not what we can do but who we are. The childlike live in the Kingdom in trusting filled with wonder. The disciples were truly blessed, as we are, by gifts of faith, sacraments, sacred scripture, the hierarchy, and community.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 comments that we, too, might need to let God expand our view of him. We can forget that our loving Father is also the all-powerful Creator, the source of all life, the judge of every living thing, the Lord who rules all of history. We live in a world that tells us to live for ourselves: to prioritize what we need to do, what we deserve, and how we can better ourselves. The demands of life can keep our attention fixed on our immediate needs and leave little room for God. Or perhaps, like Job, sadness and loss have tempted us to lose hope in the Lord. It’s no wonder that we can lose sight of him at times!

But Job’s story reminds us of what an encounter with God is like and how it can change us. The same can happen to you! Follow Job’s lead today: quiet yourself in prayer and ponder who God is. How can you be all-powerful, perfect, completely just, and merciful at the same time? Ask the Holy Spirit to open your “spiritual eyes.” Let him bring these words to life for you, so that they fill your heart with love and awe.

“Father, you are beyond all that I can know or imagine. Show me more of who you are.” (Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17, 2026)

James Finley comments that we might say the mother realizes the infant is the essence of limit, and yet—here’s the mystical and poetic part—with the imperial strength with which her infant clasps her extended little finger, like a king or queen holding a scepter, the infant in all its limitations carries her heart away. She knows that if she were to die in the act of saving the life of this infant, she would die in the truth. She realizes unexplainably the limitless nature of the infant in the midst of its limits.

When we love someone very much—father, mother, brother, sister, lover, spouse, whatever—and look at their face, we see the face that everybody sees. But in our love for them, when we see their face, we see their soulful presence, for which we are immensely grateful in our life. It is a soulful presence that we see in the face of the beloved.

Who did Jesus see when he looked at Thérèse’s face—and who does he see when he looks at your face? Jesus contemplates the divinity of your face. When Jesus walked this earth and looked into the face of each person, he saw that face. Jesus comes to walk this earth so that in his presence, we might see reflected in his eyes, the face that he sees, which is the face of the unborn divinity of ourselves hidden with Christ. [2] (Finley, n.d.)

The Spirit today brings a reflection on “See Everything Limitlessly Forever” to mind today as we seek to understand our mission as siblings of Jesus who share love, mercy, and compassion with the people in our environment.

References

Chiacchere, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection October 3, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-3-2026 

Finley, J. (n.d.). Thérèse of Lisieux: The Way of Love: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/therese-of-lisieux-the-way-of-love-weekly-summary/ 

Job, CHAPTER 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/job/42?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10? 

Meditation on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17. (2026, October 3). The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/03/1686578/ 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119?66 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Your Names Are Written in Heaven. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Ponder Personal Protection

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, invite us to ponder the events in our life journey that brought us to the present and the nature of the mystical experiences for which we are thankful for Divine Protection. 

Angel of God...

The Reading from the Book of Exodus proclaims the Reward of Fidelity.

 [23:21] My authority is within him: lit., “My name is within him.” (Exodus, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading chosen by USCCB today is from the Book of Job. 

* [38:1] Now the Lord enters the debate and addresses two discourses (chaps. 38–39 and 40–41) to Job, speaking of divine wisdom and power. Such things are altogether beyond the capacity of Job. Out of the storm: frequently the background of the appearances of the Lord in the Old Testament; cf. Ps 18; 50; Na 1:3; Hb 3:2–15.

* [38:3] Gird up your loins: prepare for combat—figuratively, be ready to defend yourself in debate.

* [38:7] Sons of God: see note on 1:6.

* [38:21] Ironic, but not a harsh rebuke. (Job, CHAPTER 38 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [40:4–5] Job’s first reaction is humble, but also seemingly cautious. (Job, CHAPTER 40 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 139 is a meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience.

* [Psalm 139] A hymnic meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience. The psalmist is keenly aware of God’s all-knowing gaze (Ps 139:1–6), of God’s presence in every part of the universe (Ps 139:7–12), and of God’s control over the psalmist’s very self (Ps 139:13–16). Summing up Ps 139:1–16, 17–18 express wonder. There is only one place hostile to God’s rule—wicked people. The psalmist prays to be removed from their company (Ps 139:19–24).

* [139:2] When I sit and stand: in all my physical movement.

* [139:9] Take the wings of dawn: go to the extremities of the east. Beyond the sea: uttermost bounds of the west; the sea is the Mediterranean.

* [139:11] Night shall be my light: night to me is what day is to others. (Psalms, PSALM 139, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus proclaims the Greatest in the Kingdom.

* [18:1–35] This discourse of the fourth book of the gospel is often called the “church order” discourse, but it lacks most of the considerations usually connected with church order, such as various offices in the church and the duties of each, and deals principally with the relations that must obtain among the members of the church. Beginning with the warning that greatness in the kingdom of heaven is measured not by rank or power but by childlikeness (Mt 18:1–5), it deals with the care that the disciples must take not to cause the little ones to sin or to neglect them if they stray from the community

* [18:1] The initiative is taken not by Jesus as in the Marcan parallel (Mk 9:33–34) but by the disciples. Kingdom of heaven: this may mean the kingdom in its fullness, i.e., after the parousia and the final judgment. But what follows about causes of sin, church discipline, and forgiveness, all dealing with the present age, suggests that the question has to do with rank also in the church, where the kingdom is manifested here and now, although only partially and by anticipation; see notes on Mt 3:2; 4:17.

* [18:3] Become like children: the child is held up as a model for the disciples not because of any supposed innocence of children but because of their complete dependence on, and trust in, their parents. So must the disciples be, in respect to God.

* [18:5] Cf. Mt 10:40.

* [18:10–14] The first and last verses are peculiar to Matthew. The parable itself comes from Q; see Lk 15:3–7. In Luke it serves as justification for Jesus’ table-companionship with sinners; here, it is an exhortation for the disciples to seek out fellow disciples who have gone astray. Not only must no one cause a fellow disciple to sin, but those who have strayed must be sought out and, if possible, brought back to the community. The joy of the shepherd on finding the sheep, though not absent in Mt 18:13 is more emphasized in Luke. By his addition of Mt 18:10, 14 Matthew has drawn out explicitly the application of the parable to the care of the little ones.

* [18:10] Their angels in heaven…my heavenly Father: for the Jewish belief in angels as guardians of nations and individuals, see Dn 10:13, 20–21; Tb 5:4–7; 1QH 5:20–22; as intercessors who present the prayers of human beings to God, see Tb 13, 12:15, . The high worth of the little ones is indicated by their being represented before God by these heavenly beings. (Matthew, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Desiree Nownes comments that she saw a thread through all the documentaries and tributes about 9-11: care for others, no matter their race, creed, or religion. Care for each other in a time of crisis and doubt. Care for our common humanity, knowing that so many lost their loved ones, and that over the years we’ve only lost more.

In the Psalm before the Gospel, the refrain is simple:

Bless the Lord, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will. - Psalm 103:21

Rest in peace to those who lost their lives, lost loved ones, and who have died because of the toxic chemicals released at Ground Zero. We remember the angels who did God’s will on September 11th, and the angels who continue to do God’s will to create a world that prepares us to meet in heaven.

Take care of one another. (Nownes, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Their angels behold the face of my Father in heaven,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).

"It is not right to despise anyone who believes in Christ. A believer is called not only a servant of God but also a son through the grace of adoption, to whom the kingdom of heaven and the company of the angels is promised. And rightly the Lord adds, 'For I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.' How much grace the Lord has toward each one believing in him he himself declares when he shows their angels always beholding the face of the Father who is in heaven. Great is the grace of the angels toward all who believe in Christ. Finally, the angels carry their prayers to heaven. Hence the word of Raphael to Tobias: 'When you prayed along with your daughter-in-law Sara, I offered the memory of your prayer in the sight of God (Deutero-canonical book of Tobit 12:12). Around them there is also the strong guard of the angels; they help each of us to be free from the traps of the enemy. For a human in his weakness could not be safe amid so many forceful attacks of that enemy if he were not strengthened by the help of the angels." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 57.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

 [Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."]

Friar Jude Winker comments on the texts for today. Job is all through crying to God to explain to him why as an innocent man who is suffering and is not rewarded for a good life? Contrary to the Hebrew expectation of God at the time. God asks “Who does Job think he is?” How can a human question the motives of God? Job decides to not speak again. Guardian Angels are celebrated in the memorial for today. Traditionally, they are the angels who see the face of God and protect the children. We see some lack of care in our concept of angels in modern society when they are named and claimed for our intentions. God and the angels are protecting and we sense in our gut feelings as we become trusting, honest, and simple like children and followers of God who are not self centered and arrogant. Friar Jude expresses hope that by reflecting on angelic guardians we become more motivated to trust in God as we advance in our conversion or transformation.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 18:1-5, 10 notes that many people can tell stories that describe miraculous protection from danger or guidance when hope seems lost. Especially on today’s feast of the Guardian Angels, these stories can help us understand how much God treasures us. Jesus says that everyone has an angelic protector who is always in the presence of God (Matthew 18:10). That’s how much our heavenly Father treasures us! He gives each of us a heavenly guide who is completely committed to helping us on our journey to our heavenly home.

Considering the lengths to which the Lord went to rescue us from sin and death, how much more does he­—and all of heaven with him—work to bring us into his kingdom! The guardian angels remind us that God loves each of us more than we can possibly know. He cares for us, and he has assigned us a perfect, pure spirit to assist us as we make our way in the dimness, over the footpath, on the way home.

“Father, I can hardly imagine all the ways you care for me. Thank you for the angels you send to watch over me and my loved ones.” (Meditation on Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 2026)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, shares an experience he had while on pilgrimage to the convent where Thérèse of Lisieux lived.

Before she died, Thérèse promised to spend her heaven doing good on earth. [1] Whether we believe in miracles of the saints or not, it seems like everybody who loves Thérèse has some miraculous story. She gets involved in our lives. I think she is present in millions of lives. There is something beautiful happening through this woman who said she wanted to perfect “the science of love.” [2]

My own experience in her convent felt like an affirmation of what I truly believe and what has been a lot of my message. The little way is the spirituality of imperfection; we come to God not by doing it right, but by doing it wrong. It’s not a matter of doing great things. Whenever we act in conscious love, this is the little way. And I think whatever we do in conscious union and love is prayer. So many of our Catholic saints are examples of heroic martyrdom; the message they give is, “If I am perfect, then God will love me.” Because I was so programmed to think that way, I really needed to be released from that pursuit of perfection. Thank God both Thérèse and Francis of Assisi did that for me!   (Rohr, n.d.)

We recall with gratitude and faith the traditional prayer…

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom God's love commits me here,

Ever this day, be at my side,

To light, to guard, to rule, and guide.

Amen.

that reflects Jesus' commitment to guide disciples who are little ones because of their becoming like children.

References

Exodus, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/23 

Job, CHAPTER 38 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/job/38? 

Job, CHAPTER 40 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/job/40 

Matthew, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/18? 

Meditation on Matthew 18:1-5, 10. (2026, October 2). The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/02/1686132/ 

Nownes, D. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-2-2026 

Psalms, PSALM 139. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/139? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Visit from Thérèse. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-visit-from-therese/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Their Angels Behold the Father in Heaven. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 2, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2026&date=oct2a