Foundation in Healing

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary exhort us to love and care for all of Creation.

Healing in Creation

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians presents Greeting and Thanksgiving.

* [1:3–11] As in Rom 1:8–15 and all the Pauline letters except Galatians, a thanksgiving follows, including a direct prayer for the Philippians (Phil 1:9–11); see note on Rom 1:8. On their partnership for the gospel (Phil 1:5), cf. Phil 1:29–30; 4:10–20. Their devotion to the faith and to Paul made them his pride and joy (Phil 4:1). The characteristics thus manifested are evidence of the community’s continuing preparation for the Lord’s parousia (Phil 1:6, 10). Paul’s especially warm relationship with the Philippians is suggested here (Phil 1:7–8) as elsewhere in the letter. The eschatology serves to underscore a concern for ethical growth (Eph 1:9–11), which appears throughout the letter.

* [1:6] The day of Christ Jesus: the parousia or triumphant return of Christ, when those loyal to him will be with him and share in his eternal glory; cf. Phil 1:10; 2:16; 3:20–21; 1 Thes 4:17; 5:10; 2 Thes 1:10; 1 Cor 1:8. (Philippians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 111 tells how God is revealed in Israel’s history

* [Psalm 111] A Temple singer (Ps 111:1) tells how God is revealed in Israel’s history (Ps 111:2–10). The deeds reveal God’s very self, powerful, merciful, faithful. The poem is an acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. (Psalms, PSALM 111 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus cures the man with dropsy on the Sabbath.

* [14:1–6] See note on Lk 13:10–17.

* [14:2] Dropsy: an abnormal swelling of the body because of the retention and accumulation of fluid.

* [14:5] Your son or ox: this is the reading of many of the oldest and most important New Testament manuscripts. Because of the strange collocation of son and ox, some copyists have altered it to “your ass or ox,” on the model of the saying in Lk 13:15. (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Becky Nickerson comments that Jesus reminds us that caring for people is never separate from honoring God.

This passage leaves me with a simple but important reminder: pay attention. Notice the people around you. Make space for compassion, even when life feels busy. Stay open to learning from others and be willing to act when an opportunity to care presents itself. It reminds me that faith is lived out not only in grand gestures but in everyday choices to notice, care for, and stand beside others. As I continue to grow in my faith, I pray for the wisdom to recognize the needs around me, the humility to listen deeply, and the courage to respond with the same compassion that Jesus demonstrated. In a world that often rewards efficiency and productivity, Jesus offers a different way of living - one rooted in presence, mercy, and love (Nickerson, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The law does not forbid mercy on the Sabbath,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"As they were silent from ill will, Christ refutes their unrelenting shamelessness by the convincing arguments that he uses. 'Whose son of you,' he says, 'or whose ox shall fall into a pit, and he will not immediately draw him out on the sabbath day?' If the law forbids showing mercy on the sabbath, why do you take compassion on that which has fallen into the pit?... The God of all does not cease to be kind. He is good and loving to people."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today.

The Word Among Us Meditation is on Philippians 1:1-11.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, identifies our ability to love as the very foundation of our being.

We implore the Spirit to inspire Love in our Piety, Study, and Action.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14? 

Nickerson, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/ 

Philippians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/1? 

Psalms, PSALM 111 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/111?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were Watching Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/