Going With You

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to recall the joy and gratitude we have experienced in the hospitality of others as we extend our hospitality to the people we encounter on our Way.

Let Us Go with You

The Reading from the Prophet Zechariah is from the Seven Oracles: Judah and Zion Restored

m. [8:23] 1 Sm 15:27; Tb 13:11. (Zechariah, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Psalm 87 is a song of Zion.

* [Psalm 87] A song of Zion, like Ps 46; 48; 76; 132.

* [87:2] The gates: the city itself, a common Hebrew idiom.

* [87:5–6] The bond between the exile and the holy city was so strong as to override the exile’s citizenship of lesser cities. (Psalms, PSALM 87, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke describes Jesus Departure for Jerusalem and Samaritan Inhospitality.

* [9:51–55] Just as the Galilean ministry began with a rejection of Jesus in his hometown, so too the travel narrative begins with the rejection of him by Samaritans. In this episode Jesus disassociates himself from the attitude expressed by his disciples that those who reject him are to be punished severely. The story alludes to 2 Kgs 1:10, 12 where the prophet Elijah takes the course of action Jesus rejects, and Jesus thereby rejects the identification of himself with Elijah.

* [9:51] Days for his being taken up: like the reference to his exodus in Lk 9:31 this is probably a reference to all the events (suffering, death, resurrection, ascension) of his last days in Jerusalem. He resolutely determined: literally, “he set his face.”

* [9:52] Samaritan: Samaria was the territory between Judea and Galilee west of the Jordan river. For ethnic and religious reasons, the Samaritans and the Jews were bitterly opposed to one another (see Jn 4:9). (Luke, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Rev. Elvin Cardoso, SJ, comments that we often wonder how to bring others to faith, especially in a world where many walk away from God, or never consider Him at all.

The answer is found in Zechariah’s vision: “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” When we live lives rooted in love, peace, integrity, and prayer, we become dwelling places of the Lord.

But the reverse is also true. If our lives are marked by anger, judgment, gossip, or hypocrisy, then we become stumbling blocks rather than signposts. The Gospel warns us that the temptation to condemn those who reject or misunderstand us is strong. Jesus shows a better way. He simply walks on, always offering peace, always leaving the door open for grace to do its hidden work.

Let our prayer be this: Lord, help me live in such a way that others will say, “Let us go with you, for we have seen that God is with you.” And when I face rejection, help me to walk on in peace, trusting that every village, every soul, is part of Your saving plan. (Cardoso, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus gave power and authority to his apostles,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"It would be false to affirm that our Savior did not know what was about to happen, because he knows all things. He knew, of course, that the Samaritans would not receive his messengers. There can be no doubt of this. Why then did he command them to go before him? It was his custom to benefit diligently the holy apostles in every possible way, and because of this, it was his practice sometimes to test them... What was the purpose of this occurrence? He was going up to Jerusalem, as the time of his passion was already drawing near. He was about to endure the scorn of the Jews. He was about to be destroyed by the scribes and Pharisees and to suffer those things that they inflicted upon him when they went to accomplish all of violence and wicked boldness. He did not want them to be offended when they saw him suffering. He also wanted them to be patient and not to complain greatly, although people would treat them rudely. He, so to speak, made the Samaritans' hatred a preparatory exercise in the matter. They had not received the messengers... For their benefit, he rebuked the disciples and gently restrained the sharpness of their wrath, not permitting them to grumble violently against those who sinned. He rather persuaded them to be patient and to cherish a mind that is unmovable by anything like this."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 56) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Zechariah 8:20-23 notes that Zechariah ministered during the period after the exiles had returned to Jerusalem, when the Lord was asking them to rebuild the Temple. He was called to try to rouse them to keep up with the work. It wasn’t that they had to rebuild the Temple; they got to do it!

This truth can change your perspective; it can bring you joy and zeal. Other people will see it and want to join you! Because, as Zechariah described, the most attractive witness is someone who loves to be with the Lord.

“Lord, thank you for welcoming me every time I pray. May my life reflect your love to everyone I meet.” (Meditation on Zechariah 8:20-23, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Zachariah notes the people of the nations have decided to go to Jerusalem. This introduces universality, a God for all the nations. The Chosen people are to give good witness, like we are called to do by giving examples of the message we preach. In Luke, Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is very long; ten chapters. This was Jesus' main mission. The disciples were not received well in Samaria. The people believed that God was housed in their mount not in Jerusalem. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus has come for all nations.

Fr. Mike Schmitz continues discussing the call of Nehemiah and how we should approach the work the Lord calls us to do. He explains why all work is divine participation in God’s Kingdom on earth and encourages us to remember our service to God and to others, keeping our focus on serving and loving in the realm of our influence. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 3, Zechariah 14, and Proverbs 20:23-26.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that for Francis of Assisi, divesting himself from privilege was a gospel-inspired action, one that we are invited to consider today. 

Relinquishment as a call and a gift means giving up prestige and privilege, learning to listen and to accept criticism, and learning how to use our power differently and ultimately to share our power. At the very least our task as non-poor is to share the power available to us—our resources of wealth, education, influence, and access—with those who have been denied these things. This is not charity or noblesse oblige. It is a fundamental letting go to allow the very structures that benefit us to be transformed.

The way of relinquishment is the lifelong process of removing the obstacles to loving and just relationships with our neighbors on this earth and of moving toward more genuine community among all of God’s children and indeed among all of earth’s creatures and elements, the kind of sisterhood and brotherhood envisioned by Francis. As we help remove the obstacles to the liberation of others, we are simultaneously removing obstacles to our own liberation…. (Rohr, n.d.) 

As we ponder the way to motivate the “Go with You” response we ask the Spirit to open our hearts and minds to extend hospitality to all people.

References

Cardoso, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-30-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?51 

Meditation on Zechariah 8:20-23. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/09/29/1392913/ 

Psalms, PSALM 87. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/87?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. The Invitation to Relinquishment. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-invitation-to-relinquishment/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. DailyScripture.net. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep30 

Zechariah, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/8?20 

Agents and Angels

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels, invite us to reflect on the extension of our sense of “reality” beyond the perception of our five bodily senses to the mystical interaction with the angels of God.

Inspiration under the Tree

The Reading from the Book of Revelation proclaims Michael, the archangel, in victory over the dragon.

* [12:7–12] Michael, mentioned only here in Revelation, wins a victory over the dragon. A hymn of praise follows.

* [12:7] Michael: the archangel, guardian and champion of Israel; cf. Dn 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9. In Hebrew, the name Michael means “Who can compare with God?”; cf. Rev 13:4.

* [12:9] The ancient serpent: who seduced Eve (Gn 3:1–6), mother of the human race; cf. Rev 20:2; Eph 6:11–12. Was thrown down: allusion to the expulsion of Satan from heaven; cf. Lk 10:18.

* [12:10] The accuser: the meaning of the Hebrew word “Satan,” found in Rev 12:9; Jb 1–2; Zec 3:1; 1 Chr 21:1; he continues to accuse Christ’s disciples. (Revelation, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

The Reading from the Book of Daniel is a vision of the heavenly throne of God.

* [7:9–10] A vision of the heavenly throne of God (the Ancient of Days), who sits in judgment over the nations. Some of the details of the vision, depicting the divine majesty and omnipotence, are to be found in Ezekiel 1. Others are paralleled in 1 Enoch, a contemporary Jewish apocalypse.

* [7:13–14] One like a son of man: In contrast to the worldly kingdoms opposed to God, which are represented as grotesque beasts, the coming Kingdom of God is represented by a human figure. Scholars disagree as to whether this figure should be taken as a collective symbol for the people of God (cf. 7:27) or identified as a particular individual, e.g., the archangel Michael (cf. 12:1) or the messiah. The phrase “Son of Man” becomes a title for Jesus in the gospels, especially in passages dealing with the Second Coming (Mk 13 and parallels). (Daniel, CHAPTER 7, n.d.)

Psalm 138 is a thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 138, n.d.)

The Gospel of John introduces Nathanael among the First Disciples.

* [1:47] A true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him: Jacob was the first to bear the name “Israel” (Gn 32:29), but Jacob was a man of duplicity (Gn 27:35–36).

* [1:48] Under the fig tree: a symbol of messianic peace (cf. Mi 4:4; Zec 3:10).

* [1:49] Son of God: this title is used in the Old Testament, among other ways, as a title of adoption for the Davidic king (2 Sm 7:14; Ps 2:7; 89:27), and thus here, with King of Israel, in a messianic sense. For the evangelist, Son of God also points to Jesus’ divinity (cf. Jn 20:28).

* [1:50] Possibly a statement: “You [singular] believe because I saw you under the fig tree.”

* [1:51] The double “Amen” is characteristic of John. You is plural in Greek. The allusion is to Jacob’s ladder (Gn 28:12). (John, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Mirielle Mason comments that Jesus did not shy away from bringing his faith to those who did not believe, or those who doubted. It is important to emphasize that doubting is a natural part of our faith!

 

In this section of John, Nathanael himself doubts when he asks, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Really, he is asking if this Jesus fellow can be the Messiah because he was not supposed to come from Nazareth. But, very importantly, Nathanael went to see Jesus despite his doubts! This is why we need to consistently show up to church, even when we are struggling, perhaps especially when we are struggling. Jesus knew where he was at and met him there, which shocked Nathanael, but folks, He knows all of us from the very beginning to the very end of our lives! He is always with us, loving and guiding us. It is our job to pray and trust in his path, to recognize Him when He reveals Himself to us daily, and to be our honest selves whenever possible. In these ways, we may strive to live in the example Nathanael provided us. (Mason, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Lord of Angels,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"Do you see how he [Jesus] leads him [Nathanael] up little by little from the earth and causes him no longer to imagine him as merely a man? For one to whom angels minister and on whom angels ascend and descend, how could he be a man? This is why he said, 'You shall see greater things than these.' And to prove this, he introduces the ministry of angels. What he means is something like this: Does this, O Nathanael, seem to you a great matter, and have you for this confessed me to be King of Israel? What then will you say when you see 'angels ascending and descending on me'? He persuades him by these words to receive him as Lord also of the angels. For on him as on the king's own son, the royal ministers ascended and descended, once at the season of the crucifixion, again at the time of the resurrection and the ascension, and before this also, when they 'came and ministered to him' (Matthew 4:11). They also ascended and descended when they proclaimed the good news of his birth and cried, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace' (Luke 2:14), when they came to Mary and also when they came to Joseph... Our Lord made the present a proof of the future. After the powers he had already shown, Nathanael would readily believe that much more would follow." (excerpt from the Homilies On the Gospel of John 21.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 138:1-5 comments that at every Mass, we join the angels as they worship before the throne of God (Catechism, 335). That means that every Mass you attend, every time you gather to worship the Lord, you are doing what the psalmist describes. You are singing God’s praise “in the presence of the angels” (Psalm 138:1). Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are right there with you!

So ask these mighty archangels to draw your heart heavenward whenever you worship. Let their proclamations give you the words to praise God. Because even though they might be occupied with the events of our world, they are never too busy to do what they were created to do—worship God. And they are delighted when you do it with them.

“Lord, what a privilege it is to join these powerful angelic saints as they lead me to worship you!” (Meditation on Psalm 138:1-5, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the two choices of the First Reading. In the scene from Daniel 7, the Ancient of Days, Yahweh, is attended by angels. In Daniel 7, the term “Son of Man” referred to Israel. Jesus applies the term to himself and includes references to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah. Revelations 12 is the defeat of Satan and angels by Michael and the angels.  A battle on earth is reflected into the heavens. Satan is cast upon the earth. Why? Pride? Jealousy? Whatever the reason, the diabolic is opposed to the heavenly. The name Nathanael is used only in John. He is referred to as Bartholomew in the other Gospels. The fig tree was where one studied the Law. Jesus refers to Jacob who was changed by wrestling with God. Israel is the name of honesty. Friar Jude notes that after wrestling with God under the tree, Nathanael responds by recognizing Jesus who refers to the ladder of Jacob.

Fr. Mike Schmitz introduces the book of Nehemiah and takes us through Nehemiah’s exemplary response to the call of God as he does what God asks simply because he asks. He also encourages us to pray for our enemies and explains the need to refrain from vengeance in our interactions with others, especially when we are provoked by their actions. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 1-2, Zechariah 12-13, and Proverbs 20:20-22.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Franciscan Alternative Orthodoxy.

Francis’ starting place was human suffering instead of human sinfulness, and God’s identification with that suffering in Jesus. That did not put him in conflict with any Catholic dogmas or structures. His Christ was cosmic while also deeply personal, his cathedral was creation itself, and he preferred the bottom of society to the top. He invariably emphasized inclusion of the seeming outsider over any club of insiders, and he was much more a mystic than a moralist. In general, Francis preferred ego poverty to private perfection, because Jesus “became poor for our sake, so that we might become rich out of his poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:9).    

I sincerely think Francis found a Third Way, which is the creative and courageous role of a prophet and a mystic. He basically repeated what all prophets say: that the message and the medium for the message have to be the same thing. And Francis emphasized the medium itself, instead of continuing to clarify or contain the mere verbal message; this tends to be the “priestly” job, one which Francis never wanted for himself.  (Rohr, n.d.)  

We experience the influence of the Spirit in our inspiration and motivation that opens our mind to the “re-presentation” of the Divine in our community, worship, and meditation.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 7. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/7?9 

John, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?47 

Mason, M. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-29-2025 

Meditation on Psalm 138:1-5. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/09/29/1392913/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138?1 

Revelation, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/12?7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/franciscan-alternative-orthodoxy/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Will See the Angels of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep29a