Fairness and Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge our western industrial concepts of fairness and offer a Way of Love to demonstrate our desire to be like Christ. 

Invited to the Table

The Reading from the Prophet Isaiah is an invitation to seek the Lord.

* [55:6–9] The invitation to seek the Lord is motivated by the mercy of a God whose “ways” are completely mysterious. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 55 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 145 invites all to praise God.

* [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.)

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians urges Steadfastness in Faith.

* [1:19–25] Paul earnestly debates his prospects of martyrdom or continued missionary labor. While he may long to depart this life and thus be with Christ (Phil 1:23), his overall and final expectation is that he will be delivered from this imprisonment and continue in the service of the Philippians and of others (Phil 1:19, 25; Phil 2:24). In either case, Christ is central (Phil 1:20–21); if to live means Christ for Paul, death means to be united with Christ in a deeper sense. (Philippians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.

* [20:1–16] This parable is peculiar to Matthew. It is difficult to know whether the evangelist composed it or received it as part of his traditional material and, if the latter is the case, what its original reference was. In its present context its close association with Mt 19:30 suggests that its teaching is the equality of all the disciples in the reward of inheriting eternal life.

* [20:4] What is just: although the wage is not stipulated as in the case of those first hired, it will be fair.

* [20:8] Beginning with the last…the first: this element of the parable has no other purpose than to show how the first knew what the last were given (Mt 20:12).

* [20:13] I am not cheating you: literally, “I am not treating you unjustly.”

* [20:14–15] The owner’s conduct involves no violation of justice (Mt 20:4, 13), and that all the workers receive the same wage is due only to his generosity to the latest arrivals; the resentment of the first comes from envy.

* [20:16] See note on Mt 19:30. (Matthew, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Hopp comments that he and his wife have four children and eight grandchildren and they often worry about being fair when doing something for one of these loved ones – will the others perceive our actions as being fair? Today’s Daily Readings clearly speak to this issue from God’s perspective rather than from the world’s viewpoint.

While it is easy to understand that it doesn’t seem fair for a worker working all day to receive the same compensation as the one who only works an hour, Jesus teaches us in this example that the landowner did not cheat anyone, but rather he was simply being generous. The parable could end with this lesson on giving lavishly, but it does not end there, rather it provides us a crucial understanding of grace and redemption. As a fallen man, I have lived too much of my life following sinful thoughts, words and actions. In this story God has left no doubt that He views fairness through a heart lens. I can confidently run to my Savior, knowing it is not too late to bask in His incredible love and mercy. What is important is turning to Jesus, no matter when we make that choice or what the world may think of our choice.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible wisdom you provide throughout your Word. Help us to better grasp how high your ways and thoughts are above ours so that we can confidently seek your truth in every moment of our life. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, n.d.)

Don Schwager asks “What can work and wages, welfare and the unemployed tell us about the kingdom of God?” In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard we see the extraordinary generosity and compassion of God (Matthew 20:1-16). There is great tragedy in unemployment, the loss of work, and the inability to earn enough to live and support oneself or one's family. In Jesus' times laborers had to wait each day in the marketplace until someone hired them for a day's job. No work that day usually meant no food on the family table. The laborers who worked all day and received their payment complain that the master pays the late afternoon laborers the same wage. The master, undoubtedly, hired them in the late afternoon so they wouldn't go home payless and hungry.

Don Schwager quotes “Christ our householder,” author unknown, from the 5th century A.D.

"The householder [in Matthew's parable - chapter 20] is Christ, to whom the heavens and the earth are like a single house; the family is as it were the multitude of creatures both angelic and earthly. It is as if he built a three-storied house: hell, heaven and earth, so that those struggling may live upon the earth, those conquered below the earth, those conquering in heaven. We too, set in the middle, should strive not to descend to those who are in hell but ascend to those who are in heaven. And in case perhaps you do not know which one you ought to shun or which one you ought to aspire to, he has given you as it were a little taste of both while you live between light and darkness: night as a taste of hell, daylight as a taste of heaven." (excerpt from an incomplete Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, HOMILY 34) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Isaiah speaks about leaving our former ways and turning to the Lord. We have to ask for that mercy. The ways and thoughts of the Lord are not ours. We have to do the best we can, Philippians are a community Paul very much likes and as Paul is facing persecution he proclaims acceptance of living or dying as both serve the Lord. Both alternatives are in God’s hands. An attitude that we should consider is the peace of surrender to what God is calling us to be. In the Gospel of Matthew, the ones who work a short time get a day’s wage as do the ones who worked all day in the heat. Is the anger and jealousy of the first hired out of place? Friar Jude comments that in this end time parable, common in Matthew’s Gospel, we consider that when we are with God that is enough. “Last minute” conversions are for celebrations of mercy and love of God.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Philippians 1:20-24, 27 asks “”So what can we learn from St. Paul’s perspective?” 

First, heaven is something that we can wholeheartedly look forward to. While we may initially think of all that we might lose when we pass away, the truth is that we can expect to experience far more joy and satisfaction in eternity than we ever could in our earthly lives.

Second, we can experience a foretaste of the joy that awaits us in heaven right here and now. We can be so consumed with Christ that we say, with Paul, “To me life is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). How can we be consumed with Christ? Like Paul, we can spend our lives in “fruitful labor,” serving others and pointing to Jesus in all we do (1:22). As Paul delighted in seeing people grow in their faith, so, too, can we find joy in seeing our lives draw others closer to Jesus, even as we await the fullness of life in heaven.

“Lord, open my eyes to the beauty of this life, today and in eternity.” (Meditation on Philippians 1:20-24, 27, 2026)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on nonviolent resistance as the primary Christian response to a world of violence.

The gospel and the church both teach nonviolent resistance. Some call it gentle firmness. I believe that it is the Christian moral response. It does not imply absolute pacifism or deny the right to legitimate self-defense, but it requires creative and constant firmness in opposition to evil. Each of us is complicit in this mystery of evil, violence, and harm. Seeking to justify wars, people say, “Well, someone has to die”—but the gospel says, “First of all, it’s you!” Jesus tells us to die to ourselves (see Luke 9:24). This process requires us to agree to carry some of the burden of sin and pain of the world…

The journey of contemplative prayer leads us to a sense of universality, of bearing the burden and resisting the violence of the entire world and not just that of our own country. To be a true Christian, I think, means to be a giant juggler of all kinds of contradictions, all kinds of absurdities, all kinds of death, and all kinds of life. We are each being led to a depth of universal God experience that allows us, in our own spirit, mind, and heart, to know a gospel response to the world’s violence. I don’t think there’s any way we can call ourselves Christians without aiming for nonviolence as our ideal. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Wisdom and Understanding gifts of the Spirit to instruct and guide our conversion to live in accord with the “mind of Christ”.

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

References

Hopp, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection September 20, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-20-2026 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 55 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/55? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/20 

Meditation on Philippians 1:20-24, 27. (2026, September 20). The Word Among Us. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/20/1673137/ 

Philippians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/1?20 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Nonviolent Resistance. Nonviolent Resistance. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/nonviolent-resistance/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do You Begrudge My Generosity? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/

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/ 

Demons and Denial

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, invite us to seek a new perception of our relationship to people and our social and political environment.

Danger in Denial

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians proclaims The True Wisdom.

* [2:13] In spiritual terms: the Spirit teaches spiritual people a new mode of perception (1 Cor 2:12) and an appropriate language by which they can share their self-understanding, their knowledge about what God has done in them. The final phrase in 1 Cor 2:13 can also be translated “describing spiritual realities to spiritual people,” in which case it prepares for 1 Cor 2:14–16.

* [2:14] The natural person: see note on 1 Cor 3:1.

* [2:15] The spiritual person…is not subject to judgment: since spiritual persons have been given knowledge of what pertains to God (1 Cor 2:11–12), they share in God’s own capacity to judge. One to whom the mind of the Lord (and of Christ) is revealed (1 Cor 2:16) can be said to share in some sense in God’s exemption from counseling and criticism. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 145 declares 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.)

The Gospel of Luke presents The Cure of a Demoniac.

* [4:31–44] The next several incidents in Jesus’ ministry take place in Capernaum and are based on Luke’s source, Mk 1:21–39. To the previous portrait of Jesus as prophet (Lk 4:16–30) they now add a presentation of him as teacher (Lk 4:31–32), exorcist (Lk 4:32–37, 41), healer (Lk 4:38–40), and proclaimer of God’s kingdom (Lk 4:43).

* [4:34] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Have you come to destroy us?: the question reflects the current belief that before the day of the Lord control over humanity would be wrested from the evil spirits, evil destroyed, and God’s authority over humanity reestablished. The synoptic gospel tradition presents Jesus carrying out this task. (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Kathy Kemler is reminded by the quote, (often attributed to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin) “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience”. When we attend to our spirit and take note of how we are being to ourselves, to God and to others, we can quickly notice what spirit is living inside in that moment.

Wow, might it be true that if we are conscious of our spiritual nature of Christ given to us in baptism, and allow that spirit to be within us and work through us that we might actually manifest these beautiful characteristics of God listed in the psalm? And what a beautiful world we might have if all of us could do that together. We would truly have peace on earth. The quote often attributable to Nelson Mandela encourages us, we must “Be the change we want to see in the world”. The desire planted in my heart today is to ask for the grace that I might be open to allow the spirit of Christ to be in me, to work through me so that I may experience that love and compassion and pour it out into the world. I invite you to find what’s in your heart and ask God for the grace to live into it. (Kemler, 2026)

Don Schwager “New creation begins on the Sabbath,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"He describes the works of divine healing begun on the sabbath day, to show from the outset that the new creation began where the old creation ceased. He showed us that the Son of God is not under the law but above the law, and that the law will not be destroyed but fulfilled (Matthew 5:17). For the world was not made through the law but by the Word, as we read: 'By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established' (Psalm 33:6). Thus the law is not destroyed but fulfilled, so that the renewal of humankind, already in error, may occur. The apostle too says, 'Stripping yourselves of the old man, put on the new, who was created according to Christ' (Colossians 3:9-10, Ephesians 4:22,24). He fittingly began on the sabbath, that he may show himself as Creator. He completed the work that he had already begun by weaving together works with works. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.58) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts today. In the Reading from First Corinthians, Paul speaks about the Spirit. In Corinth the difficulty was a belief that the Spirit is superior to Christ. Corinthian ideas that Incarnation is decadent are addressed in presenting that the Spirit teaches how to have the mind of Christ. It is the Spirit who leads us to Christ and the deepest knowledge. When we experience “It rings true” it is the Spirit whispering to our being. In the passage from Luke, Jesus exorcises a demon in Capernaum. The demon, as a spiritual being, knows who Jesus is. Illness was considered as a form of possession in the ancient world. Friar Jude exhorts us to call upon Jesus to defeat the evil one. We have to hold on to Christ and remember Satan is a creature and God is the Creator.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 4:31-37 comments that Jesus continues to announce that the kingdom of God is at hand, through his living word in Scripture, through the witness of his life, and through the living example of his followers today.

Jesus longs for you to listen to his teachings with an open heart, just as the people of Capernaum did. So open your Bible and ponder his words. Listen closely to the words proclaimed in the Mass readings. Use your imagination to picture him living and acting in your midst today. By pondering his words and the way he lived, you’ll come to love him more and you’ll want to imitate him. Jesus really is better than even the best teacher you’ve ever had!

“Lord, help me to open my heart to your teachings!” (Meditation on Luke 4:31-37, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr introduces public theologian Nadia Bolz-Weber who highlights how Jesus’ teaching on “carrying your cross” was not intended to increase the suffering of those on the margins.

Maybe like you, I struggle with how this denying ourselves thing is good news.  And not just because of how that verse about picking up your cross has been perverted into messages like deny your Queerness, pick up your cross of heterosexuality and follow him. Or deny your dignity and pick up your cross of continued domestic abuse and follow him. 

Recently I’ve been wondering: if, when Jesus says deny yourself and follow me, that maybe it’s not about ensuring his followers are doormats. Maybe he’s inviting us to deny the part of us that wants to see itself as separate from God and others. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to come and fill our hearts with Love and desire to work to bring all the siblings of Jesus together.

References

Kemler, K. (2026, September 1). Daily Reflection September 1, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-1-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?31 

Meditation on Luke 4:31-37. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/01/1660701/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/2?10 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Cross of Self-Sufficiency. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-cross-of-self-sufficiency/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). His Word Was with Authority and Power. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/