Pattern for Life

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the pattern of our lives and how we experience the Presence of faith, hope, and love.

Steps for Life

In the Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians Paul’s Life is presented as a Pattern.

* [4:6] That you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written: the words “to go” are not in the Greek, but have here been added as the minimum necessary to elicit sense from this difficult passage. It probably means that the Corinthians should avoid the false wisdom of vain speculation, contenting themselves with Paul’s proclamation of the cross, which is the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Old Testament (what is written). Inflated with pride: literally, “puffed up,” i.e., arrogant, filled with a sense of self-importance. The term is particularly Pauline, found in the New Testament only in 1 Cor 4:6, 18–19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4; Col 2:18 (cf. the related noun at 2 Cor 12:20). It sometimes occurs in conjunction with the theme of “boasting,” as in 1 Cor 4:6–7 here.

* [4:8] Satisfied…rich…kings: these three statements could also be punctuated as questions continuing the series begun in v. 7. In any case these expressions reflect a tendency at Corinth toward an overrealized eschatology, a form of self-deception that draws Paul’s irony. The underlying attitude has implications for the Corinthians’ thinking about other issues, notably morality and the resurrection, that Paul will address later in the letter.

* [4:9–13] A rhetorically effective catalogue of the circumstances of apostolic existence, in the course of which Paul ironically contrasts his own sufferings with the Corinthians’ illusion that they have passed beyond the folly of the passion and have already reached the condition of glory. His language echoes that of the beatitudes and woes, which assert a future reversal of present conditions. Their present sufferings (“to this very hour,” v. 11) place the apostles in the class of those to whom the beatitudes promise future relief (Mt 5:3–11; Lk 6:20–23); whereas the Corinthians’ image of themselves as “already” filled, rich, ruling (1 Cor 4:8), as wise, strong, and honored (1 Cor 4:10) places them paradoxically in the position of those whom the woes threaten with future undoing (Lk 6:24–26). They have lost sight of the fact that the reversal is predicted for the future. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 145 proclaims that God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus engages in debates about the Sabbath.

* [6:1–11] The two episodes recounted here deal with gathering grain and healing, both of which were forbidden on the sabbath. In his defense of his disciples’ conduct and his own charitable deed, Jesus argues that satisfying human needs such as hunger and performing works of mercy take precedence even over the sacred sabbath rest. See also notes on Mt 12:1–14 and Mk 2:25–26.

* [6:4] The bread of offering: see note on Mt 12:5–6. (Luke, CHAPTER 6 |USCCB, n.d.)

Vivian Amu comments that, together, these passages invite us to let go of measuring ourselves by achievements, appearances, or checking the right boxes.

In essence, what really matters is whether we received God’s gifts with gratitude and shared them generously, whether we loved the people entrusted to us, whether we allowed ourselves to be loved, whether we showed mercy instead of judgment, and whether we remained faithful in the ordinary moments that made up most of our days.

Most of us would not be remembered for being the most impressive person in the room, or being the one who accumulated the most recognition.

But, most people will be remembered because they were kind, because they listened, because they forgave, and because they reflected God’s love.

That is the life Paul lived. That is the life Jesus calls us to live as well. (Amu, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Withered hands - withered minds,” by Athanasius of Alexandria (295-373 AD).

"In the synagogue of the Jews was a man who had a withered hand. If he was withered in his hand, the ones who stood by were withered in their minds. And they were not looking at the crippled man nor were they expecting the miraculous deed of the one who was about to work. But before doing the work, the Savior ploughed up their minds with words. For knowing the evil of the mind and its bitter depth, he first softened them up in advance with words so as to tame the wildness of their understanding, asking: 'Is it permitted to do good on the sabbath or to do evil; to save a life or to destroy one?' For if he had said to them, 'Is it permitted to work?' immediately they would have said, 'You are speaking contrary to the law.'

"Then he told them what was intended by the law, for he spoke as the One who established the laws concerning the sabbath, adding, 'except this: that which will be done for the sake of a life.' Again if a person falls into a hole on a sabbath, Jews are permitted to pull the person out (Matthew 12:11). This not only applies to a person, but also an ox or a donkey. In this way the law agrees that things relating to preservation may be done, hence Jews prepare meals on the sabbath. Then he asked them about a point on which they could hardly disagree: 'Is it permitted to do good? (Matthew 3:4, Luke 6:9) But they did not even so much as say, 'Yes,' because by then they were not in a good temper." (excerpt from HOMILIES 28) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul is addressing what seems to be pride in a special revelation among his audience in Corinth. In contrast, he and Apollos are suffering in proclaiming the Word. Paul shares a different evaluation of importance that is to serve the message of God. He is writing it to shame them, even as he ends the passage proclaiming to do otherwise! In the Gospel from Luke, the Pharisees say to Jesus that it is unlawful to snack grain from the field as the Law forbids harvest on the Sabbath. The Pharisees follow a wide interpretation and over scrupulous approach to the Law. Jesus cites David as sharing the bread in the Temple reserved for the priest with his men. Jesus declares the Son of Man is “Lord of the Sabbath”. Friar Jude notes the power of losing and binding was thought to be that of the rabbis and Jesus is appropriating it to Himself.

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:6-15 comments that we live in a world where people’s value is based on their achievement, a world so marked by division that we even took a word from physics—polarization—and began using it to describe our relationships with each other.

Jesus delights when we gratefully receive the gifts he has given us and use them to serve one another. He loves it when we pour ourselves out for people rather than hold tightly to our own lives. This is what true holiness looks like, the holiness of Jesus and of all the apostles and saints.

“Lord, I am so grateful for all the gifts you have given me. Help me to share them generously with all the people around me.” (Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:6-15, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr introduces activist and author Liza J. Rankow who shares a vision of discipleship that includes all those called by the Spirit to act courageously in the service of healing and liberation. In times of peril Life calls us into capacities we didn’t even know we had. So often we have no idea about the full measure of what we are being called to … or its consequences.

 

I think that’s how the Spirit works with us—pretty sneaky, really…

Healing and liberation are a collective project not an individual one. To meet the challenge will require all of us, and all of our gifts over time. Like the pyramids, the great cathedrals, or the living root bridges of Meghalaya India, this is the work of generations and the work of faith. It was begun by those who came long before us. Each of us is called in turn to lay our stones, to weave our roots, to give our lives toward a purpose larger than we can imagine and whose fruition we may never see. There is no map for these times, and only the compass of our hearts to guide us. Yet there is wisdom in the ancestors’ whispering; there is vision in the dreaming of the coming generations. We stand at the nexus between past and future, praying to be faithful to both in the crucial role entrusted to us. And they are with us, urging us on. (Rohr, n.d.)

We declare our acceptance of the plan of God for the gifts from our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader when we pray “Come Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your Love”

References

Amu, V. (n.d.). Daily Reflection September 5, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 5, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-5-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 6 |USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?1 

Meditation on 1 Corinthians 4:6-15. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 5, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/05/1663027/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/4? 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?17 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Becoming Disciples Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 5, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/becoming-disciples-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Son of Man Is Lord of the Sabbath. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 5, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Signs of Life Eternal

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present an attitude of trust in God and the Way we have experienced to bring fullness of life to our journey.

Signs of Fullness of Life

In the Reading from Ezekiel the Prophet presents a Sign for the Exiles.

* [24:17] The bread of mourners: a post-burial meal that mourners shared to comfort one another; cf. 2 Sm 3:35; Jer 16:7. The other gestures mentioned here were also popular mourning customs. Because Ezekiel does not observe any of the mourning customs mentioned, the people are puzzled and ask him to explain.

* [24:22–24] The fall of the city will be so sudden and final that the exiles will have no time to go into mourning. (Ezekiel, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response from Deuteronomy declares false worship brings destruction at the hands of a foreign invader.

* [32:21] “No-god”…“no-people”: worship of the gods of the nations brings destruction at the hands of a foreign invader. A false god cannot sustain or protect (cf. Jer 14:22); and though the nations seem “foolish” (see their characterization in such passages as Ps 114:1; Is 28:11; 33:19), they will prove to be anything but nonentities when the Lord stirs them up against Israel (Is 9:10–12). For the “no-” or “not-” construction, see Hos 1:6, 9; 2:1, 25. (Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus responds to the question of The Rich Young Man.

* [19:16] Gain eternal life: this is equivalent to “entering into life” (Mt 19:17) and “being saved” (Mt 19:25); the life is that of the new age after the final judgment (see Mt 25:46). It probably is also equivalent here to “entering the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:23) or “the kingdom of God” (Mt 19:24), but see notes on Mt 3:2; 4:17; 18:1 for the wider reference of the kingdom in Matthew.

* [19:17] By Matthew’s reformulation of the Marcan question and reply (Mk 10:17–18) Jesus’ repudiation of the term “good” for himself has been softened. Yet the Marcan assertion that “no one is good but God alone” stands, with only unimportant verbal modification.

* [19:18–19] The first five commandments cited are from the Decalogue (see Ex 20:12–16; Dt 5:16–20). Matthew omits Mark’s “you shall not defraud” (Mk 10:19; see Dt 24:14) and adds Lv 19:18. This combination of commandments of the Decalogue with Lv 19:18 is partially the same as Paul’s enumeration of the demands of Christian morality in Rom 13:9.

* [19:20] Young man: in Matthew alone of the synoptics the questioner is said to be a young man; thus the Marcan “from my youth” (Mk 10:20) is omitted.

* [19:21] If you wish to be perfect: to be perfect is demanded of all Christians; see Mt 5:48. In the case of this man, it involves selling his possessions and giving to the poor; only so can he follow Jesus. (Matthew, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly comments that we often forget that amid our despair, God still blesses us, even as he does in our strength. God can give and God can take away, we are reminded. But demonstration of that kind of power is not the true nature of God. Despite our uncertainties, God’s love, and goodness for us is steady and certain.

What does God want from us in return? It seems to me that the lessons for today tell us that what God wants is loyalty, faithfulness, and commitment. God does not want pride in outward displays of religious piety. God does not want our accomplishments or our attempts to demonstrate perfection. God wants us, however poor in spirit we may be. God wants us to engage in his work on this earth. I pray today that we are all confident enough of the promises of treasures in heaven that we can give of ourselves to those in need. (Dilly, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Seek the life that endures,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The Lord said to a certain young man, 'If you would enter life, keep the commandments.' He did not say 'If you would have life' but 'If you would enter life,' defining that life as eternal life. Let us first consider then the love of this life. For this life is loved, whatever its quality - and however troubled it is, however wretched, people are afraid to end it. Hence we should see, we should consider, how much eternal life is to be loved, when this miserable life that must at some time be ended is so loved. Consider, brothers, how much that life is to be loved when it is a life you never end. You love this life, where you work so much, run, are busy, pant. In this busy life the obligations can scarcely be counted: sowing, plowing, working new land, sailing, grinding, cooking, weaving. And after all this hard work your life comes to an end. Look at what you suffer in this wretched life that you so love. And do you think that you will always live and never die? Temples, rocks, marbles, all reinforced by iron and lead, still fall. And a person thinks that he will never die? Learn therefore, brothers, to seek eternal life, when you will not endure these things but will reign with God forever." (excerpt from Sermon 84,1) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Ezekiel did many symbolic actions including dressing like  a refugee fleeing the city, Today when his wife dies, He goes on as if life continued. He is telling Jerusalem that the coming punishment is deserved. They should continue with life. In the Gospel of Matthew, a rich young man asks Jesus how to obtain eternal life. Jesus' response to  give everything you have to the poor is an ask to place our trust in His Providence. Friar Jude reminds us that eternal life is not just checking off our obedience to the Commandments but to convert to God’s life of being good, kind, loving, and merciful.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 19:16-22 comments that every day, Jesus is inviting us into more of his life—more freedom from sin, more reconciliation and healing in our relationships, more generosity toward those who are suffering or marginalized. He offers us treasure beyond what we could ever imagine, but our possessions can keep us from saying yes to his invitation.

Jesus is well aware of what holds us back. We might, like the rich young man, have a comfortable life with ample possessions. Our grip on those resources can make it hard to let go of them and surrender generously to the Lord. But we also might be embracing the false comfort of a pattern of sin or holding onto the “possession” of a long-standing resentment against someone in our lives. Maybe we’ve become comfortable with the status quo.

Today, consider what might be holding you back from following Jesus more closely. Open your heart to him, and let go of it.

“Come, Holy Spirit, and help me to surrender anything that keeps me from following Jesus!” (Meditation on Matthew 19:16-22, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, speaks of the hopeful imagination to which the prophets and God invite us.

The established and dominant culture does not have authentic promises because it seeks to maintain itself. The system has materialistic and self-protecting promises for more money and a better life; it encourages us to consume more and more. It cannot offer a promise which fills and expands the heart beyond itself to the larger world.

God’s promises energize and expand the heart, deepening our capacity for life and our quality of being in this world. They put the authority inside us. This, finally, is the only overcoming of death, the only answer to the absurdity that this time is going to end. That’s what the promises of God do—lead us to the experience of deeper life. The Gospel writers call it resurrection. (Rohr, n.d.)

We live in the tension between the dominant culture aggressively trying to shape our decisions about how to treat our fellow humans and the invitation of Jesus to live for more permanent gains in compassion, love, mercy, care, and concern for our fellow siblings of Jesus.

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/32? 

Dilly, B. (2026, August 17). Daily Reflection August 17, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved August 17, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-17-2026 

Ezekiel, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved August 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/24?15 

Matthew, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/19? 

Meditation on Matthew 19:16-22. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved August 17, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/08/17/1649078/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Task of the Prophets. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 17, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-task-of-the-prophets/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Give - and You Will Have Treasure in Heaven. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 17, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Humble Open Peacemaking Effort (HOPE)

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reject indifference and approach our relationships with an attitude we observe in children of wonder, trust, and openness to love.

Our Lady of Hope Retreat Centre

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah presents Judgment on Assyria.

* [10:5–34] These verses contain a series of oracles directed against Assyria. Verses 5–15 portray Assyria as simply the rod God uses to punish Israel, though Assyria does not realize this. The original conclusion to this unit may be the judgment found in vv. 24–27a, which continues the imagery and motifs found in vv. 5–15. Verses 16–23, because of the quite different imagery and motifs, may originally have been an insertion directed against Aram and Israel at the time of the Syro-Ephraimite War.

* [10:6] Impious nation: Judah. It was God’s intention to use Assyria merely to punish, not to destroy, the nation.

* [10:16] His fat ones: the strong men of the enemy army. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 94 complains about oppression of the holy community by people within community

* [Psalm 94] A lament of an individual who is threatened by wicked people. The danger affects the whole community. Calling upon God as judge (Ps 94:1–2), the Psalm complains about oppression of the holy community by people within (Ps 94:3–7). Bold declarations of faith follow: denunciation of evildoers (Ps 94:8–11) and assurance to the just (Ps 94:12–15). The Psalm continues with further lament (Ps 94:16–19) and ends with strong confidence in God’s response (Ps 94:20–23). (Psalms, PSALM 94 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares Praise of the Father in revelation to the childlike.

* [11:25–27] This Q saying, identical with Lk 10:21–22 except for minor variations, introduces a joyous note into this section, so dominated by the theme of unbelief. While the wise and the learned, the scribes and Pharisees, have rejected Jesus’ preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds, the childlike have accepted them. Acceptance depends upon the Father’s revelation, but this is granted to those who are open to receive it and refused to the arrogant. Jesus can speak of all mysteries because he is the Son and there is perfect reciprocity of knowledge between him and the Father; what has been handed over to him is revealed only to those whom he wishes. (Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche quotes Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate,

 

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” 

How quick I can shift my mindset and think “By my own power I have done it.” I am often the Assyrian Axe thinking I am a self-made man. I am also Judah with the plunder of the poor in my house. I’ve dressed it up of course. I don’t go and rob the poor directly, but I don’t always worry about who’s making my clothes, harvesting my food, or labeling my data. I get busy and become indifferent.

 

God is not indifferent. God sent His Son. I find comfort when Jesus says “All things have been handed over to me.” As silly as it can sound to say out loud, I can forget the first commandment and think I’m in charge. (Dyche, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Revealed to babes,” by Epiphanius the Latin (late 5th century).

 

"And he revealed these things to children. To which children? Not those who are children in age but to those who are children in respect to sin and wickedness. To them Jesus revealed how to seek the blessings of paradise and the things to come in the kingdom of heaven, because thus it was well pleasing before God that 'they should come from the east and the west and that they should lie down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but that the sons of this worldly kingdom should be cast into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:11-12).'" (excerpt from INTERPRETATION OF THE GOSPELS 26) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Isaiah presents a prophecy about Assyria a powerful empire, and the conquest of the northern people of Israel as an agent of God but Assyria had become arrogant and had gone way beyond what God had intended. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares that God has revealed truth to the childlike who don’t have to figure it out but live in wonder. They are not analytical like adults, who strip away understanding with complications and lack of trust. Friar Jude notes that we develop Knowledge of the Father as the Son reveals who the Father is to those He wishes as we seek answers to “Who God is?” and “What He wants of us.”

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:25-27 asks “What was the difference between the people of these towns and the people who received God’s revelation?” A “childlike” disposition. So let’s look at two qualities that help form this disposition—both in the disciples and in us.

Humility: When we’re humble, we see that we are completely dependent on God. The disciples were humble enough to understand that they didn’t have all the answers… 

Openness: A humble attitude helps us to be open—to be ready to hear and embrace God’s word. It enables us to be docile and teachable…

Like any good father, our heavenly Father wants us to know him and to feel free enough to draw near to him so that he can teach us. We know that the Father sent his only Son—the second Person of the Trinity, the One who has intimate knowledge of him and calls him Abba—to reveal himself to the world. All he’s looking for are humble, open hearts.

So let’s come to our Father today with a childlike attitude. Let’s come with humility, knowing that we don’t have all the answers. And let’s come with openness, willing to be taught and to allow our ideas to be challenged and reshaped.

“Father, give me the grace to become like a child before you.” (Meditation on Matthew 11:25-27, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that this beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God. ( Matthew 5:9 ) places Jesus in a lineage of peacemakers who reject the false promises of violence. Fr Richard introduces pastor Rich Villodas who makes a distinction between peacemaking and peacekeeping.

Peacemakers are those who work for right relationships at the expense of their comfort. We don’t usually choose this route, nor do we understand what it really means. Jesus does not say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” [But] what’s the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking?…

Peacekeeping tries not to rock the boat, avoids conflicts, and is superficial. It ensures that no one gets upset. That’s not real peace. When, out of fear, we avoid conflict and appease people, we are false peacemakers….

Here’s the thing with peacekeeping: sooner or later, it brings chaos—not peace—into your life. Peacemaking is quite different. Peacemakers don’t avoid conflict; in fact, sometimes peacemaking creates it. We see this with Jesus. As the epitome of love, he wasn’t always nice—at least not in the way modern people visualize niceness….

He burst into the temple and flipped over tables because poor, vulnerable people were being taken advantage of (see Matthew 21:12). When he saw the Pharisees putting yokes of religious condemnation on people, he confronted the religious leaders with harsh words. As Jesus’s life reveals, peacemaking is often met with resistance. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We are truly blessed to have children in our lives who are open to the wonder of learning and living in humble trust that making peace brings a better day for all.

References

Dyche, G. (2026, July 15). Daily Reflection July 15, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-15-2026 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/10? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11? 

Meditation on Matthew 11:25-27. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/15/1623529/ 

Psalms, PSALM 94 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/94? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Peacemaking Is Not Keeping the Peace. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/peacemaking-is-not-keeping-the-peace/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Heavenly Things Revealed to Infants. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/