Victory without Vanity

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the futility of expecting goodness to be the result of our playing to the vanity of leaders motivated by self aggrandizement. 

Building Good Government

The Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes warns “Nothing is new under the sun.”

* [1:2] Vanity of vanities: a Hebrew superlative expressing the supreme degree of futility and emptiness.

* [1:3] Under the sun: used throughout this book to signify “on the earth.”

* [1:8] All things are wearisome: or, “All speech is wearisome.”

* [1:11] Movement in nature and human activity appears to result in change and progress. The author argues that this change and progress are an illusion: “Nothing is new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 90 describes in general terms the cause of the community’s distress.

* [Psalm 90] A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Ps 90:1), the Psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Ps 90:2–6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Ps 90:7–12). The Psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Ps 90:13–17).

* [90:3] Dust: one word of God is enough to return mortals to the dust from which they were created. Human beings were created from earth in Gn 2:7; 3:19.

* [90:5] You wash them away: the Hebrew of Ps 90:4–5 is unclear.

* [90:6] It is wilted and withered: the transitory nature of the grass under the scorching sun was proverbial, cf. Ps 129:6; Is 40:6–8. (Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Herod’s Curious Opinion of Jesus.

* [9:7–56] This section in which Luke gathers together incidents that focus on the identity of Jesus is introduced by a question that Herod is made to ask in this gospel: “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”(Lk 9:9) In subsequent episodes, Luke reveals to the reader various answers to Herod’s question: Jesus is one in whom God’s power is present and who provides for the needs of God’s people (Lk 9:10–17); Peter declares Jesus to be “the Messiah of God” (Lk 9:18–21); Jesus says he is the suffering Son of Man (Lk 9:22, 43–45); Jesus is the Master to be followed, even to death (Lk 9:23–27); Jesus is God’s son, his Chosen One (Lk 9:28–36).

* [9:7] Herod the tetrarch: see note on Lk 3:1.

* [9:9] And he kept trying to see him: this indication of Herod’s interest in Jesus prepares for Lk 13:31–33 and for Lk 23:8–12 where Herod’s curiosity about Jesus’ power to perform miracles remains unsatisfied. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gladyce Janky wonders how Herod’s life might have changed had he allowed himself to listen to God’s invitation. Instead, he clung to the life he knew rather than venturing into the unknown where God was waiting.

In my own humanity, I am not that different from Herod. I can fall into the trap of trusting what I think I own, forgetting that everything I have is a gift from God. I look without truly seeing the beauty and wonder of creation; I listen without hearing, sometimes because I resist a different opinion, sometimes because facing another’s suffering feels too heavy. A mindset of self-reliance or the illusion of control can take root in anyone. So, what are we to do? How can we change the dynamics of our individual lives and, in doing so, help transform the world?

Without help, we remain stuck—repeating the same patterns as our ancestors, patterns that future generations will repeat unless something breaks the cycle. But something has. Because Jesus entered our reality and chose to die for us, we have an Advocate who tirelessly draws us toward God. The Holy Spirit continues to nudge, stir, and awaken our hearts, just as I imagine happened in Herod’s. Grace keeps reaching for us, inviting us to step out of fear and into the freedom of God’s love. And when we finally allow ourselves to follow Jesus, we discover that the path we feared is the very path that brings life.

Reflection question: If I hear God’s voice today, how will I respond? (Janky, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Integrity is a hardship for the morally corrupt,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"John aroused Herod by his moral admonitions, not by any formal accusation. He wanted to correct, not to suppress. Herod, however, preferred to suppress rather than be reconciled. To those who are held captive, the freedom of the one innocent of wrongdoing becomes hateful. Virtue is undesirable to those who are immoral; holiness is abhorrent to those who are impious; chastity is an enemy to those who are impure; integrity is a hardship for those who are corrupt; frugality runs counter to those who are self-indulgent; mercy is intolerable to those who are cruel, as is loving-kindness to those who are pitiless and justice to those who are unjust. The Evangelist indicates this when he says, "John said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother Philip.'" This is where John runs into trouble. He who admonishes those who are evil gives offense. He who repudiates wrongdoers runs into trouble. John was saying what was proper of the law, what was proper of justice, what was proper of salvation and what was proper certainly not of hatred but of love. And look at the reward he received from the ungodly for his loving concern!" (excerpt from SERMONS 127.6-7)

[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Ecclesiastes is also called Qoheleth or the Preacher who declares “vanity of vanities”. Everything is not new so why are we expecting new and original events. Qoheleth wanted to attack the reward and punishment ideas of his culture. Live the best life you can, he suggests. In conclusion, “Do the best you can”. Herod the Tetrarch, who had John the Baptist beheaded is fascinated by both John the Baptist and Jesus. He recognizes the Good of Jesus even from living his dissolute lifestyle.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 comments that It’s true that time marches on and that all things will pass away like a vapor in the wind. But not everything is vanity. Your life and your decisions have eternal value because you were made for eternity. The breath of God, his very life, is in you. And that life is a life of divine love, a love that “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Imagine! Your prayer life, your devotion to your loved ones, your love for Scripture, your care for your neighbor, your compassion for the least of those among us—these are all grace-filled movements of the heart. And they do not fade. They are all moments when you can touch heaven here and now. They are moments when you encounter the Lord, who is inviting you into the blessed communion for which you were created.

Your life is not vanity! When everything else passes away like a wisp of cloud, the new creation you have become in Christ will remain.

“Thank you, Jesus, for breathing your life into me!” (Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, explains that so-called “redemptive violence” usually only perpetuates the cycles of violence Jesus came to stop. What Leviticus 16–27 describes as the “law of holiness”—separation from sinful people, the rejection of certain actions and things—is turned around in Jesus so that the very acts of separation, superiority, and rejection are in fact the sins! 

I believe Jesus is teaching us that if we put our energy into choosing the good—instead of the negative and largely illusionary energy of rejecting the bad—we will overcome evil in a much better way and will not become evil ourselves. This is exactly what he does on the cross, and I believe it is at the heart of his message. At our center in New Mexico, we have taken it as one of our central axioms that “the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.” 

More than anything else, this is how Jesus reformed the laws of religion and undercut the basis for all violent, exclusionary, and punitive behavior. He became the forgiving victim so we would stop creating victims ourselves. He became the falsely accused one so we would be careful whom we accuse.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit as we attempt to work with the sometimes hidden goodness in our environment to encourage greater love and compassion in our interactions.

References

Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/1?1 

Janky, G. (2026, September 24). Daily Reflection September 24, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-24-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?7 

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:2-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/24/1675587/ 

Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/90?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Myth of Redemptive Violence. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-myth-of-redemptive-violence/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Suppressing Truth to Ease a Guilty Conscience. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/? 

Prepare for Beyond Dualism

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to vigilance and a virtuous life that ironically is most loving in contrast to dualism.

Way Beyond Dualism

The Reading from the Second Letter of Peter is an Exhortation to Preparedness.

* [3:11–16] The second coming of Christ and the judgment of the world are the doctrinal bases for the moral exhortation to readiness through vigilance and a virtuous life; cf. Mt 24:42, 50–51; Lk 12:40; 1 Thes 5:1–11; Jude 20–21.

* [3:12] Flames…fire: although this is the only New Testament passage about a final conflagration, the idea was common in apocalyptic and Greco-Roman thought. Hastening: eschatology is here used to motivate ethics (2 Pt 3:11), as elsewhere in the New Testament. Jewish sources and Acts 3:19–20 assume that proper ethical conduct can help bring the promised day of the Lord; cf. 2 Pt 3:9. Some render the phrase, however, “desiring it earnestly.”

* [3:13] New heavens and a new earth: cf. Is 65:17; 66:22. The divine promises will be fulfilled after the day of judgment will have passed. The universe will be transformed by the reign of God’s righteousness or justice; cf. Is 65:17–18; Acts 3:21; Rom 8:18–25; Rev 21:1. (2 Peter, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 90 contrasts God’s eternity with the brevity of human life.

 

* [Psalm 90] A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Ps 90:1), the Psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Ps 90:2–6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Ps 90:7–12). The Psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Ps 90:13–17). (Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses Paying Taxes to the Emperor.

* [12:13–34] In the ensuing conflicts (cf. also Mk 2:1–3:6) Jesus vanquishes his adversaries by his responses to their questions and reduces them to silence (Mk 12:34).

* [12:13–17] See note on Mt 22:15–22. (Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock hears Jesus remind her to “give to God what belongs to God.”  Like a trusted friend at a reunion, Jesus helps her reorient her attention to what truly matters and empowers her to continue to strive for justice and dignity for all.

In the first reading, Peter reinforces this resolve as we read: be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him, be glory now and to the day of eternity.  The phrase the error of the unprincipled is a reminder to stay true to our faith and the guiding principles of Catholic Social Teaching. What can feel so overwhelming can become so clear when we focus on what is good and true.

Today I pray for the grace to be curious about the stories people tell. How can I support people sharing what is truly important to them? When I find myself being seduced by malicious gossip, I pray for the strength to redirect the conversation to a more productive place. I pray to feel compassion for those laying traps and those falling for the traps. And I ask Jesus to support me every day to give to God what belongs to God

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge. (Brock, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Put off the earthly image and put on the heavenly one,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Some people think that the Savior spoke on a single level when he said, 'Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar' - that is, 'pay the tax that you owe.' Who among us disagrees about paying taxes to Caesar? The passage therefore has a mystical and secret meaning. There are two images in humanity. One he received from God when he was made, in the beginning, as Scripture says in the book of Genesis, 'according to the image and likeness of God' (Genesis 1:27). The other image is of the earth (1 Corinthians 15:49). Man received this second image later. He was expelled from Paradise because of disobedience and sin after the 'prince of this world' (John 12:31) had tempted him with his enticements. Just as the coin, or denarius, has an image of the emperor of this world, so he who does the works of 'the ruler of the darkness' (Ephesians 6:12) bears the image of him whose works he does. Jesus commanded that that image should be handed over and thrown away from our face. He wills us to take on that image, according to which we were made from the beginning, according to God's likeness. It then happens that we give 'to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what is God's.' Jesus said, 'Show me a coin.' For 'coin,' Matthew wrote 'denarius' ( Matthew 22:19). When Jesus had taken it, he said, 'Whose inscription does it have?' They answered and said, 'Caesar's.' And he said to them in turn, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.'" (excerpt from HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 39.4-6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18 comments that the call to discipleship is a call both to “wait” patiently for the Lord and to “hasten” his “day” by actively sharing the gospel, praying for the coming of the kingdom, and caring for the people he has placed in our lives (2 Peter 3:12). It’s a call to stand firm in faith no matter the storms that come to us.

So “be on your guard” (2 Peter 3:17). Let your hope in Christ become the anchor that steadies you and helps preserve your peace. Place your trust in him, and he will help you find safe passage.

“Lord, help me to be always on my guard as I both wait for and hasten the day of your coming!” (Meditation on 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in 2 Peter the passage has an apocalyptic theme presenting the idea of a new heaven and a new earth that will be purified and transformed. We will live to give witness to our faith being consistent with our commitment to the Kingdom. In the Gospel of Mark Jesus is called to address the question of paying taxes to Caesar. He sees this as an obvious trap trying to present Him either as a good Jew or as collaborator with the conquering empire. He calls for a Roman coin to be brought out and Jesus uses the denarius, ironically that true Jews would not carry, to differentiate between what we give to Caesar and what we owe to God.  Christian texts very clearly assert legitimate government authority is given by God. Friar Jude notes some more ambiguous treatment of the Emperor here not to be made into a God and in Revelations the Roman Empire is cast as treacherous and evil.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rt. Rev. Michael Curry who considers how God is always leading us beyond what we think we know. Curry was elected bishop in the Episcopal Church as the church wrestled with questions about the full inclusion and equality of LGBTQ persons in the church.

As a bishop, I made a solemn vow to “guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church.” I had also vowed to “be merciful to all, show compassion to the poor and strangers, and defend those who have no helper.” I was beginning to see that obedience to the letter and the spirit of both of those vows was leading me to a real contradiction….

I was growing, and my own beliefs had evolved. But another way to say it is that I was becoming more and more open to letting the spirit of God breathe through me and make me new. Therein is the source of real personal change, evolution, and transformation, and it’s never ending….

The late [lay theologian] Verna Dozier … was a real mentor, teacher, and soul friend to me. In her book The Dream of God, she offered this wisdom: “We always see through a glass darkly, and that is what faith is about. I will live by the best I can discern today. Tomorrow I may find out I was wrong. Since I do not live by being right, I am not destroyed by being wrong.” (Rohr, n.d.)

We pray for the insight of the Spirit as we ponder the paradox of choosing the Way of Jesus while continuing to love and assist fellow pilgrims who choose to render preferentially unto Caesar. 

References

Brock, M. L. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved June 2, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-2-2026 

Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12 

Meditation on 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 2, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/02/1583989/ 

Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/90 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Spirit Reworks Us. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 2, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spirit-reworks-us/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Give to God What Belongs to God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 2, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Peter, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2peter/3 

Community and Commitment

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our relationship with family, friends, and community as experiences of care, love, and compassion.

Community Care

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to theThessalonians is a Concluding Thanksgiving and Prayer.

* [3:9–10] The tension between Paul’s optimism concerning the Thessalonians’ faith and his worries about their perseverance remains unresolved. Perhaps this is accounted for not only by the continuing harassment but also by the shortness of his own stay in Thessalonica (even if that were over twice as long as the conventional three weeks that Luke assigns to it, Acts 17:2). (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 90 contains a plea for God’s intervention.

* [Psalm 90] A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Ps 90:1), the Psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Ps 90:2–6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Ps 90:7–12). The Psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Ps 90:13–17). (Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches about The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant.

* [24:42–44] Cf. Lk 12:39–40. The theme of vigilance and readiness is continued with the bold comparison of the Son of Man to a thief who comes to break into a house.

* [24:45–51] The second part of the discourse (see note on Mt 24:1–25:46) begins with this parable of the faithful or unfaithful servant; cf. Lk 12:41–46. It is addressed to the leaders of Matthew’s church; the servant has been put in charge of his master’s household (Mt 24:45) even though that household is composed of those who are his fellow servants (Mt 24:49).

* [24:45] To distribute…proper time: readiness for the master’s return means a vigilance that is accompanied by faithful performance of the duty assigned.

* [24:48] My master…delayed: the note of delay is found also in the other parables of this section; cf. Mt 25:5, 19.

* [24:51] Punish him severely: the Greek verb, found in the New Testament only here and in the Lucan parallel (Lk 12:46), means, literally, “cut in two.” With the hypocrites: see note on Mt 6:2. Matthew classes the unfaithful Christian leader with the unbelieving leaders of Judaism. Wailing and grinding of teeth: see note on Mt 8:11–12. (Matthew, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

A Member of Creighton University Community comments that  “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day you will encounter the Lord.” helps them concentrate more on living than on being prepared to die.

Being alert to when I might encounter the Lord in my daily life, and being prepared to be the “faithful and prudent servant” turns my attention to how I interact with and treat others. If I am awake to all the possible ways I can see the Lord, I will recognize Jesus in those who suffer, and will act differently than if I am insensitive to them and their needs. If I do not know when I will encounter the Lord, then I should react to everyone I meet as if I were meeting the Lord. If I am a faithful and prudent steward, then I will be generous with the gifts God has given me and will distribute them “at the proper time” to the other members of my household (realizing that my household is the broader family of other people and not my limited biological family). (Daily Reflection August 30, 2007, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “You do not know the day,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"But his meaning is like this: If ordinary persons knew when they were going to die, they would surely be striving earnestly at that hour. In order therefore that they may strive, not at that hour only, he does not tell them the hour or day. He wants to keep them on their toes looking for it, that they may be always striving. This is why he made the end of each person's life so uncertain. In this passage he openly implies that he himself is Lord. Nowhere before has he spoken of this so distinctly. But here he seems to me also to be putting to shame those who remain careless about his lordship. They take much more care about a thief taking their money than about their own soul. Those who care about their house and do not want their possessions stolen take measures against the thief. They watch; they are prepared for the thief. So it is with you. You do not know when he will come. But you know assuredly that he will come. If you do not continue to watch, you will not be ready on that day. You will be unprepared. Destruction will come in your sleep. If the person had known when the thief was coming, he would have been prepared. So be like the one who is prepared at all times, so you will escape free. Having then mentioned the judgment, he directs his thoughts next to teachers, speaking of honorable and dishonorable actions. His discourse closes with that which is alarming, for he speaks first of those who do right, then of those who continue in sin." (excerpt from the THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 77.2-3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation Matthew 24:42-51 comments that two thousand years have passed, and the Lord’s coming is still delayed. So how can we be like the faithful servant?

Second, we can persevere in obedience. We can try not to grow weary in doing the good he has given us to do, especially when it comes to caring for the people around us. Jesus is delighted when he sees us working hard at our jobs, caring for our families, and providing for his people in need.

That’s it. That’s all it takes. If we can strive just to be faithful, Jesus promises us great rewards both in this life and in the next.

“Lord, help me to be your faithful servant. Lead me in simply doing what you ask of me.” (Meditation Matthew 24:42-51, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the First Letter to the Thessalonians is a thanksgiving for the turning of the community toward Christ and becoming part of life and heart of the missionary Paul. God will supply whatever they need in faith. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus encourages the people to stay awake. The end of the world was thought to be signed by the rising from the grave. Matthew begins to realize the return may be delayed. Friar Jude reminds us that the Parable, about the coming judgement, urges waiting for the master and doing the right thing for reward or severe beating. We don’t know the end , always be ready.

Brian McLaren recalls how he felt led to reach out to local mosques in the days after the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks. The friendship between our congregations grew through a series of interfaith dialogues.

Some people were, I imagine, a little shocked at first to see a Muslim cleric walking through the church lobby as people chatted over coffee and bagels. But because our congregations had developed a friendship, he was soon recognized and welcomed…. There was something wonderfully right about Ahmad feeling so at home that he could come find me before or between services on a Sunday…. 

Imagine what might happen around the world if more and more Christians rediscover that central to Christian life and mission is what we could call subversive or transgressive friendship—friendship that crosses boundaries of otherness and dares to offer and receive hospitality…. Imagine the good that could happen—and the evil that could be prevented from happening—if more Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and others cross the roads and other barriers that have separated them, and discover one another as friends. (McLaren, n.d.)

We are reminded of the power for good of communities where commitment to faith, encouragement, and action are the basis of relationships with people and Nature.

References

Daily Reflection August 30, 2007. (n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-august-30-2007 

Matthew, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/24?42 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Hospitality Can Lead to Healing. CAC.org. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/hospitality-can-lead-to-healing/ 

Meditation Matthew 24:42-51. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/?utm_content=buffer5c902&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/3?7 

Psalms, PSALM 90 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/90?3 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Are You Ready to Meet the Lord? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 28, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=aug28