Relationships of Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the nature of Love which is most available to all when it is activated by our relationship with Christ.

Love and Life

The Reading from the Second Book of Kings presents the connection between Elisha and the Shunammite’s Son.

b. [4:10] 1 Kgs 17:9.

c. [4:16] Gn 18:9–15. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 89 laments the defeat of the Davidic king.

* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). (Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB, n.d.)

 

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans connects Freedom from Sin and Life in God.

* [6:1–11] To defend the gospel against the charge that it promotes moral laxity (cf. Rom 3:5–8), Paul expresses himself in the typical style of spirited diatribe. God’s display of generosity or grace is not evoked by sin but, as stated in Rom 5:8 is the expression of God’s love, and this love pledges eternal life to all believers (Rom 5:21). Paul views the present conduct of the believers from the perspective of God’s completed salvation when the body is resurrected and directed totally by the holy Spirit. Through baptism believers share the death of Christ and thereby escape from the grip of sin. Through the resurrection of Christ the power to live anew becomes reality for them, but the fullness of participation in Christ’s resurrection still lies in the future. But life that is lived in dedication to God now is part and parcel of that future. Hence anyone who sincerely claims to be interested in that future will scarcely be able to say, “Let us sin so that grace may prosper” (cf. Rom 6:1). (Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents some Conditions of Discipleship.

* [10:38] The first mention of the cross in Matthew, explicitly that of the disciple, but implicitly that of Jesus (and follow after me). Crucifixion was a form of capital punishment used by the Romans for offenders who were not Roman citizens.

* [10:39] One who denies Jesus in order to save one’s earthly life will be condemned to everlasting destruction; loss of earthly life for Jesus’ sake will be rewarded by everlasting life in the kingdom. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Amy Turbes shares her relationship with God is lived through others

 

As is the case with most of humanity, I live among people. If I focus all of my attention and love on one person or group of people, then I am forgetting that God is the love at the center. Jesus is inviting me to know and accept God’s unconditional love so nothing else is more important. That love can be witnessed in the relationships I have with others. If God’s love is the spring from which all my love flows then all of my thoughts, words, and actions can come from that love. Christ’s words are an invitation for me to put God first and to accept the patience, compassion and love while sharing it with others. (Turbes, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “A well-ordered love,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"See how great is the impairment to those who have an exaggerated love for their own life. And how great is the blessing to those who are ready to give up their lives for a well-ordered love! So he bids his disciples to be willing to give up parents, children, natural relationships, kinships, the world and even their own lives. How onerous are these injunctions! But then he immediately sets forth the greater blessings of rightly ordered love. Thus these instructions, Jesus says, are so far from harming that they in fact are of greatest benefit. It is their opposites that injure. He then counsels them, as he so often does, in accord with the very desires that they already possess. Why should you be willing to give up your life? Only because you love it inordinately. So for the very reason of loving it ordinately, you will scorn loving it inordinately, and so it will be to your advantage to the highest degree. You will then in the truest sense love your life. Jesus does not reason in this way only in the case of the love of parents or children. He teaches the same with regard to your very life, which is nearest to you of all." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 35.2) (Chrysostom & Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 10:37-42 comments that Jesus' disciples understood that Jesus was telling them to be willing to give up everything to follow him and witness to him—even their lives, if necessary. It’s not so different from what Jesus had said just before this: whoever loves father or mother, son or daughter more than him is not worthy of him (Matthew 10:37). Even important family ties must be second to our commitment to Jesus.

This is not an easy message. But consider who is asking it of us. Jesus is not merely a teacher or philosopher. He’s not simply a compassionate wonder-worker or dedicated advocate for the poor. He is God himself. Of course we should have nothing above God in our lives!

Consider also that the One who asks this of us lived out this command perfectly. He humbled himself and laid down his life to free us from sin and death and restore us to the Father. How could we respond with anything less?

Today, hear Jesus’ demanding call. Ask him for the grace to follow him wholeheartedly.

“Jesus, I embrace this hard saying. Help me to put you first in every area of my life.” (Meditation on Matthew 10:37-42, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today. In the passage from 2 Kings, the story of Elisha, a disciple of Elijah, has a relationship with a woman of influence who cares for him. Elisha is grateful and he promises a child to the woman. This emphasizes the importance of hospitality and gratitude. The text of Romans 6 speaks of life and death in terms of keeping the commandments or dying in sin. We are called to die to sin and live to the commandments. We belong to Christ by living His life. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' disciples are instructed to leave everything to take up their crosses. Friar Jude compares the difference in language about leaving mother and father in Matthew and in Luke where “hate” your parents is a characteristic of the Aramaic language that expresses decisions in extreme forms. Our service of God has to be total even to separate us from the ones we love. Jesus knows many would be rejected by family. We have to have Christ at the centre of our life. Friar Jude notes that giving to those in need in His name is a form of prayer that is lifted to the heavens . When we serve the poor it is a form of prayer of action. We reach out and become instruments of God’s love.

 Father Richard Rohr invites us to accept with humility that we are chosen by God. Paul also says that "chosenness" is for the sake of experiencing mercy (see Romans 11:30–31). Ancient Israel’s "chosenness" is not so they can feel superior and saved, which is where immature religion always stops. Rather, Paul says very clearly that we experience "chosenness" so that we can know what it feels like to be God’s beloved and experience God’s mercy.

I think religion is the best thing and the worst thing. It can create the most narrow-minded, petty, self-protective, racist people who stop at that first stage of: “We’ve got it right. We’re elect. We’re chosen.” But their faith really hasn’t transformed them, so they don’t know how to communicate "chosenness" to anyone else. Without a love relationship with God, religion doesn’t keep us moving or growing. It doesn’t keep transforming. It becomes a sideshow for elitism, that’s all.

The biblical tradition begins with "chosenness" for a few, but it always moves toward egalitarian "chosenness" for everyone. And the only people who are equipped to communicate the inclusivity and the boundless abundance of God are people who first experience that boundless abundance in themselves. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are inspired by the Spirit to live in the depth of love and service in which we are invited to exercise our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

Chrysostom, J., & Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Reading. He Who Loves Father and Mother More Than Me Is Not Worthy of Me. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?37 

Meditation on Matthew 10:37-42. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/28/1601859/ 

Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Called and Sent. CAC.org. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://cac.org/https://cac.org/daily-meditations/called-and-sent/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/6? 

Turbes, A. (2026, June 28). Daily Reflection June 28, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-28-2026 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/4? 

Providence and Prudence

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to live in the tension between faith in Providence and our mission to be active workers for good in our environment.

Providence and Power

The  Reading from the Second Book of Chronicles presents Joash’s Apostasy and His Punishment.

e. [24:18] Ex 34:13.

f. [24:20] Jgs 6:34.

g. [24:23] 2 Kgs 12:17–18.

h. [24:24] Dt 32:30.

i. [24:25–26] 2 Kgs 12:21–22. (2 Chronicles, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 89 laments the defeat of the Davidic king .

* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52).

* [89:3–5] David’s dynasty is to be as long-lasting as the heavens, a statement reinforced by using the same verbs (establish, stand) both of the divine love and loyalty and of the Davidic dynasty and throne, cf. Ps 89:29–30. (Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asserts the disciple can serve only one master and must choose between God and wealth.

* [6:19–34] The remaining material of this chapter is taken almost entirely from Q. It deals principally with worldly possessions, and the controlling thought is summed up in Mt 6:24: the disciple can serve only one master and must choose between God and wealth (mammon). See further the note on Lk 16:9.

* [6:22–23] In this context the parable probably points to the need for the disciple to be enlightened by Jesus’ teaching on the transitory nature of earthly riches.

* [6:24] Mammon: an Aramaic word meaning wealth or property.

* [6:25–34] Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs (Mt 6:32), but forbids making them the object of anxious care and, in effect, becoming their slave.

* [6:27] Life-span: the Greek word can also mean “stature.” If it is taken in that sense, the word here translated moment (literally, “cubit”) must be translated literally as a unit not of time but of spatial measure. The cubit is about eighteen inches.

* [6:30] Of little faith: except for the parallel in Lk 12:28, the word translated of little faith is found in the New Testament only in Matthew. It is used by him of those who are disciples of Jesus but whose faith in him is not as deep as it should be (see Mt 8:26; 14:31; 16:8 and the cognate noun in Mt 17:20).

* [6:33] Righteousness: see note on Mt 3:14–15. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner comments that her outlook is mostly positive, but her imagination can run away with the what-ifs. We all wish for a little more control over the events and people in our lives. We don’t have that control and worrying will not change any outcome. 

Jesus does not mean to make light of our concerns. People’s lives can be difficult and faced with heavy decisions and problems. It’s easy to get caught up in the spiral of worry. What are we missing if we are always worrying about what might happen? The gospel ends with the admonition that God knows we need food and clothing. We should start with God in the here and now. This doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen. Jesus says: “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.”

 

My prayer: To do what I can to make the world a better place. To work hard for the dignity of all in my own way. To take a deep breath and trust in God. To pray for those who are facing hardships, difficult decisions or life events beyond their control. I pray to be present, really present in the here and now and to trust that God loves me. (Zuegner, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “The value of life,” by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.

"Note the acceleration of images: just when the lilies are decked out, he no longer calls them lilies but 'grass of the field' (Matthew 6:30 ). He then points further to their vulnerable condition by saying 'which are here today.' Then he does not merely say 'and not tomorrow' but rather more callously 'cast into the oven.' These creatures are not merely 'clothed but 'so clothed' in this way as to be later brought to nothing. Do you see how Jesus everywhere abounds in amplifications and intensifications? And he does so in order to press his points home. So then he adds, 'Will he not much more clothe you?' The force of the emphasis is on 'you' to indicate covertly how great is the value set upon your personal existence and the concern God shows for you in particular. It is as though he were saying, 'You, to whom he gave a soul, for whom he fashioned a body, for whose sake he made everything in creation, for whose sake he sent prophets, and gave the law, and wrought those innumerable good works, and for whose sake he gave up his only begotten Son.'" (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 22.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34 comments that we have needs—for food or clothing or shelter—that we can’t ignore. We also have wants—for recognition, influence, or respect—that weigh on our minds and hearts. Jesus knows that.

Putting aside worry may still feel easier said than done. That’s where remembering comes in. Consider God’s work in your own life or the lives of the saints. Even when a worrisome difficulty comes your way, God is with you. Each time you offer trying situations to God, your relationship with him deepens. The grip that fear and anxiety have on your heart starts to loosen. The key is to remember how much God loves you and to find the strength to surrender your worries to him. You mean so much more to him than the birds of the air or flowers of the field, and you can trust him to take care of you.

So how can you let go of just a little bit of your worry today?

“Heavenly Father, I believe that I am precious to you. I trust that you will take care of me and stay close to me.” (Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from 2 Chronicles presents how the young heir, Joash, was saved and made king. The king and his nobles abandoned the Temple “King Joash was unmindful of the devotion shown him by Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, and killed the son.”(2 Chronicles 22 ). Zachariah was stoned to death even as his Father had saved Joash from murder. This becomes an example of a lack of protection due to infidelity. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus asserts our choice to serve Mammon or God. If we trust, God’s Providence will shower down. God will take care of us.  Friar Jude suggests we balance prudence with charity and trust in God’s goodness. We need to keep in mind the goodness and generosity of God to us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal priest Stephanie Spellers who highlights the church’s call to meet the human longing for community. 

You don’t have to be religious to seek “beloved community”. I believe we humans are created with a homing device that begins to hum and light up when we see individuals and communities driven not by ego but by self-giving love.

But if you are religious, and certainly if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then beloved community should be one of the basic tenets of faith. That’s what Jesus told the young seeker who asked him the greatest commandment. Jesus told him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22: 37–39). Jesus welcomed people into a countercultural, self-giving community of love with God at the center.

True, the ideal gets watered down…. [But] hold out for the robust and uncompromising vision of God’s kingdom of love. For us, it’s a dream. For God, it’s reality.

Even if we have failed a thousand times before, don’t let this hour pass without calling on Jesus and the prophets one more time. Notice how God’s reign is already breaking in and how the Spirit empowers us to join up with that movement. Especially now, even as the powers of empire and established order are busy reassembling the cracked pieces of our national and church life with the same self-centric powers and goals at their core, we should be striving and praying that God will reshape us in the image of God’s beloved community. If not now, when? (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Spirit as guide in our travel in the tension between trust in God and our tendency to take on matters informed by our own limited experience.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6? 

Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/20/1595479/ 

Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Way of the Early Church: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-way-of-the-early-church-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Why Are You Anxious - Seek First His Kingdom. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Chronicles, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2chronicles/24?17 

Zuegner, C. (2026, June 20). Daily Reflection June 20, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-20-2026 

Experience Shared for Change

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the action of Jesus in preparation of His Disciples to proclaim His Message in their mission to the world.

Experience and Example

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Paul’s Arrival at Antioch in Pisidia and Paul’s Address in the Synagogue.

* [13:4–14:27] The key event in Luke’s account of the first missionary journey is the experience of Paul and Barnabas at Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:14–52). The Christian kerygma proclaimed by Paul in the synagogue was favorably received. Some Jews and “God-fearers” (see note on Acts 8:26–40) became interested and invited the missionaries to speak again on the following sabbath (Acts 13:42). By that time, however, the appearance of a large number of Gentiles from the city had so disconcerted the Jews that they became hostile toward the apostles (Acts 13:44–50). This hostility of theirs appears in all three accounts of Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts, the Jews of Iconium (Acts 14:1–2) and Beroea (Acts 17:11) being notable exceptions.

* [13:5] John: that is, John Mark (see Acts 12:12, 25).

* [13:6] A magician named Bar-Jesus who was a Jewish false prophet: that is, he posed as a prophet. Again Luke takes the opportunity to dissociate Christianity from the magical acts of the time (Acts 13:7–11); see also Acts 8:18–24.

* [13:9] Saul, also known as Paul: there is no reason to believe that his name was changed from Saul to Paul upon his conversion. The use of a double name, one Semitic (Saul), the other Greco-Roman (Paul), is well attested (cf. Acts 1:23, Joseph Justus; Acts 12:12, 25, John Mark).

* [13:16–41] This is the first of several speeches of Paul to Jews proclaiming that the Christian church is the logical development of Pharisaic Judaism (see also Acts 24:10–21; 26:2–23).

* [13:16] Who are God-fearing: see note on Acts 8:26–40.

* [13:18] Put up with: some manuscripts read “sustained.”

* [13:20] At the end of about four hundred and fifty years: the manuscript tradition makes it uncertain whether the mention of four hundred and fifty years refers to the sojourn in Egypt before the Exodus, the wilderness period and the time of the conquest (see Ex 12:40–41), as the translation here suggests, or to the time between the conquest and the time of Samuel, the period of the judges, if the text is read, “After these things, for about four hundred and fifty years, he provided judges.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 89 declares how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings.

* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52). (Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, today’s discourses precede the traditional narrative of the passion.

* [13:1–19:42] The Book of Glory. There is a major break here; the word “sign” is used again only in Jn 20:30. In this phase of Jesus’ return to the Father, the discourses (Jn 13–17) precede the traditional narrative of the passion (Jn 18–20) to interpret them for the Christian reader. This is the only extended example of esoteric teaching of disciples in John.

* [13:1–20] Washing of the disciples’ feet. This episode occurs in John at the place of the narration of the institution of the Eucharist in the synoptics. It may be a dramatization of Lk 22:27—“I am your servant.” It is presented as a “model” (“pattern”) of the crucifixion. It symbolizes cleansing from sin by sacrificial death.

* [13:16] Messenger: the Greek has apostolos, the only occurrence of the term in John. It is not used in the technical sense here. (John, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Elvin Cardoso, SJ, comments that, like the disciples, we often struggle to fully understand this call. We may hear the words, even participate in the rituals, yet fail to connect them to our daily lives. 

The washing of the feet is not meant to remain within the walls of the liturgy; it is an invitation that extends into every encounter, every relationship, every moment that calls for compassion, patience, and generosity. 

At the same time, in the first reading, we are reminded of another dimension of discipleship. With conviction and clarity, Paul speaks to the people, helping them see how God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ.

Today, we are invited to be attentive, to notice the quiet opportunities to “wash the feet” of others, and to recognize the moments when a word of encouragement, guidance, or truth is needed. May we be open to the Spirit, who works through both our actions and our words. And may we grow into disciples who serve with humility, speak with love, and lead others closer to God through the witness of our lives. (Cardoso, n.d.)

Don Schwager comments that “The Master wants his servants to reach their potential,” by Origen, 185-254 A.D.

"The Savior, who is Lord, does something that surpasses all other lords, who have no desire to see their servants rise up to their level. He is such a Son of the Father's goodness and love that, although he was Lord, he produced servants who could become like him, their Lord, not having the spirit of bondage, which comes from fear, but the spirit of adoption in which they too cry, 'Abba, Father.' So then, before becoming like their teacher and lord, they need to have their feet washed because they are still deficient disciples who possess the spirit of bondage to fear. But when they attain the stature of master and lord... then they will be able to imitate their master and wash the disciple's feet as the teacher. (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32.120-22) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 13:16-20 comments that as Jesus’ self-emptying love softened and changed the apostles’ hearts, their own humility and self-emptying could do the same for the people around them. Though we are not apostles, we, too, are called to model Jesus’ sacrificial love. That might feel uncomfortable at times.

Chances are, if you’ve been deeply touched by another person’s love, it was when they cared for you in a personal way. When the love of Christ touched you through them, you might have resolved to pass it on to someone else. Their mercy led you to be more merciful; their generosity inspired your giving; their closeness to Jesus made you thirst for the same.

So begin today. Imitate Jesus by serving someone with humility and tenderness.

“Lord, help me to love as you love.” (Meditation on John 13:16-20, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Acts, Paul, Barnabas and Mark go to Pisidian Antioch and Paul takes as an insult Mark’s return to Jerusalem. Paul could hold grudges for a while. In Jerusalem, Paul offers a teaching and in the middle Saul is mentioned and the choosing of David. The chosen can be rejected if they turn away. Being chosen as People of God brings a responsibility. The Gospel of John begins the Last Supper Discourse. The disciples should follow His example of service and give their life for others. The betrayal of Judas was part of God’s plan and it has Jesus show them He is the “I Am”. Friar Jude notes that Jesus talks of a future community that will honor His name in a community of believers in future generations.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces spiritual director Therese Taylor-Stinson who offers Harriet Tubman as a model of spiritual courage. She describes how Tubman’s faith has inspired her own reliance on prayer in times of crisis.

Reflecting on the way Harriet faced uncertain times, times of need, even as she sought to help others, I think of a time in my own life—a time of great trial, a time I was unable to pray, a time I felt silenced by others; I fell silent myself, except for one name I repeated again and again: “Jesus.” I did not know what significance the name held, but it was all I had. As the saying and the song go, “There’s something about the name of Jesus!” I found that my silence was prayer. My willingness to trust the unknown was prayer. My desolation was prayer. My intention for a Presence surely greater than me was prayer. I would say, like Jacob, “I will not let go until you bless me.” Though uncertain about what the blessing might be or how the blessing would be delivered, I walked in trust. I trusted that something greater than myself lived in me and would see me through. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the inspiration of the Spirit to see in our life experience the gift of a Way to share the life giving of Christ in our action in support of the people in our environment.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13? 

Cardoso, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-30-2026 

John, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/13?16 

Meditation on John 13:16-20. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/30/1553021/ 

Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/holding-steady-in-prayer/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The One Who Receives Me. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/