Included and Inspired

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer thanksgiving for our membership in the Body of Christ and our spiritual strength and inspiration gifted by the Holy Spirit.

Inspired to Include

The Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians proclaims The Church as Christ’s Body.

* [1:15–23] See note on Rom 1:8 for the thanksgiving form in a letter. Much of the content parallels thoughts in Col 1:3–20. The prayer moves from God and Christ (Eph 1:17, 20–21) to the Ephesians (Eph 1:17–19) and the church (Eph 1:22–23). Paul asks that the blessing imparted by God the Father (Eph 1:3) to the Ephesians will be strengthened in them through the message of the gospel (Eph 1:13, 17–19). Those blessings are seen in the context of God’s might in establishing the sovereignty of Christ over all other creatures (Eph 1:19–21) and in appointing him head of the church (Eph 1:22–23). For the allusion to angelic spirits in Eph 1:21, see Rom 8:38 and Col 1:16. Here, as in 1 Cor 15:24–25 and Col 2:15, every such principality and power is made subject to Christ.

* [1:15] Your faith…your love: some manuscripts omit the latter phrase, but cf. Col 1:4.

* [1:23] His body: the church (Eph 1:22); cf. note on Col 1:18. Only in Ephesians and Colossians is Christ the head of the body, in contrast to the view in 1 Cor 12 and Rom 12:4–8 where Christ is equated with the entire body or community. Fullness: see note on Col 1:19. Some take the one who fills as God, others as Christ (cf. Eph 4:10). If in Christ “dwells the fullness of the deity bodily” (Col 2:9), then, as God “fills” Christ, Christ in turn fills the church and the believer (Eph 3:19; 5:18). But the difficult phrases here may also allow the church to be viewed as the “complement” of Christ who is “being filled” as God’s plan for the universe is carried out through the church (cf. Eph 3:9–10). (Ephesians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 8 marvels at the limitless grandeur of God

* [Psalm 8] While marvelling at the limitless grandeur of God (Ps 8:2–3), the psalmist is struck first by the smallness of human beings in creation (Ps 8:4–5), and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed upon them (Ps 8:6–9).

* [8:3] With the mouths of babes and infants: the psalmist realizes that his attempts to praise such an awesome God are hopelessly inadequate and amount to little more than the sounds made by infants. Established a bulwark: an allusion to lost myth telling how God built a fortress for himself in the heavens in primordial times in his battle with the powers of chaos. This “bulwark” is the firmament. Enemy and avenger: probably cosmic enemies. The primeval powers of watery chaos are often personified in poetic texts (Ps 74:13–14; 89:11; Jb 9:13; 26:12–13; Is 51:9).

* [8:5] Man... a son of man: the emphasis is on the fragility and mortality of human beings to whom God has given great dignity.

* [8:6] Little less than a god: Hebrew ‘elohim, the ordinary word for “God” or “the gods” or members of the heavenly court. The Greek version translated ‘elohim by “angel, messenger”; several ancient and modern versions so translate. The meaning seems to be that God created human beings almost at the level of the beings in the heavenly world. Heb 2:9, translating “for a little while,” finds the eminent fulfillment of this verse in Jesus Christ, who was humbled before being glorified, cf. also 1 Cor 15:27 where St. Paul applies to Christ the closing words of Ps 8:7. (Psalms, PSALM 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Sayings About the Holy Spirit.

* [12:10–12] The sayings about the holy Spirit are set in the context of fearlessness in the face of persecution (Lk 12:2–9; cf. Mt 12:31–32). The holy Spirit will be presented in Luke’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, as the power responsible for the guidance of the Christian mission and the source of courage in the face of persecution. (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

 

Carol Zuegner comments that we make small choices and decisions every day that define who we are, define our identity and how we live our faith. Jesus asks us to choose him, every day. We are asked to acknowledge him in our words, our prayers, our actions.

Jesus wants us to make these good choices, but he also sends along a reinforcement: the Holy Spirit. We are never alone – God is there. I have recently rediscovered the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I say rediscovered because I likely learned about them around confirmation time many years ago. The gift I ask the Holy Spirit to replenish in me is fortitude, defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as “firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good.” That’s making those small choices every day, pursuing the good.

My prayer today is to ask the Holy Spirit for fortitude in making those choices every day, to keep me pursuing the good. (Zuegner, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes The Holy Spirit will inspire martyrs and teach believers, by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.

"You must also know that the Holy Spirit empowers the martyrs to bear witness... A person cannot testify as a martyr for Christ's sake except through the Holy Spirit. If 'no man can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit' (1 Corinthians 12:3), will any man give his life for Jesus' sake except through the Holy Spirit?" (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.21) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects that the reading from Ephesians is a thanksgiving that the people have received the gift of God through Jesus. We are exhorted to allow the Spirit to work within us to the fullness of that revelation. In Ephesians, Jesus is placed above the choirs of angels to address the belief of the Greek world that the spiritual, like angels, are above the material like the humanity of Jesus. Luke offers three sayings to acknowledge the Son or if we deny the Son we may end up choosing Hell. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to deny the love of God. The Spirit is the Love and when we believe God could never forgive it is our problem and rejection of His Love. Friar Jude invites us to know the Holy Spirit can speak when we are being persecuted. When we pause and choose to speak love, that is always more powerful than hate, is when the Holy Spirit is speaking through us.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 12:8-12 comments that hearing the Spirit doesn’t happen all at once. It takes practice and attentiveness. It may mean taking a deep breath and stepping back from a tense situation for a moment so that you can pray before responding. That small pause can open up space in your heart for the Spirit’s guidance. It can put you in touch with the love that God has for the other person as well—a love that can calm your fears and guide your words.

People use AI as a tool to help them work faster and easier. But the Holy Spirit is not a tool. He is a person—a divine Person—and he is inviting you into an ever-deepening relationship with himself. He wants to form you and fill you with his wisdom so that you’ll be ready to speak words that honor the Lord and draw people closer to him. And that is the greatest privilege of all!

“Come, Holy Spirit! Fill me with your wisdom and courage today!” (Meditation on Luke 12:8-12, 2026)

James Finley reflects on homesickness as part of the spiritual landscape. He imagines sitting on the ground, giving himself over to the beauty of the setting sun, giving itself over to him. It is a moment of heightened awareness.

So one way to put it is: In this moment, the “thinking you” and all that it thinks is transcended…. In all the eons from the beginning of the universe till now, the sun has never set before tonight, ever. And for all the eons to come, it’ll never set again in this same way, so it’s virginal and new. So, the remembering self and all that it remembers is transcended; there’s just the newness of the eternality of now….

What is the path through which I can become more deeply at home in God, resting in me, resting in God forever? It’s a foreshadowing of eternal life. That’s what I think of as homecoming, a longing to be at home….  All our ways of living have built right into them opportunities for that kind of homecoming. I think as we move along, a deeper insight is that this longing, this homesickness, is an echo of God’s longing for us. For in the reciprocity of the longing, the longing is consummated. (Finley, n.d.)

Coming home to God is a response to the prompting of the Spirit calling us to realize our participation in the Body Of Christ and our anointing by the Spirit in Baptism as priest, prophet, and leader.

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/1?15 

Finley, J. (n.d.). Returning Home: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Reflections. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/returning-home-weekly-summary/ 

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?8 

Meditation on Luke 12:8-12. (2026, October 17). The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/16/1694585/ 

Psalms, PSALM 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/8?2 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Holy Spirit Will Teach You What to Say. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Daily Bible Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-17-2026 

Personal Guidance Home

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today declare the invitation from Our Father to honour our inheritance and accept the invitation to seek our Spiritual Home.

Lead Us Home

The Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians proclaims Our Inheritance through the Spirit.

* [1:12] We who first hoped: probably Jewish Christians (contrast Eph 1:13, you, the Gentiles); possibly the people of Israel, “we who already enjoyed the hope of Christ,” or perhaps present hope in contrast to future redemption (cf. Eph 1:14).

* [1:13] Sealed: by God, in baptism; cf. Eph 4:30; 2 Cor 1:22.

* [1:14] First installment: down payment by God on full salvation, as at 2 Cor 1:22. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 33 invites the just to praise God.

* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Leaven of the Pharisees and urges Courage Under Persecution.

* [12:1] See notes on Mk 8:15 and Mt 16:5–12.

* [12:2–9] Luke presents a collection of sayings of Jesus exhorting his followers to acknowledge him and his mission fearlessly and assuring them of God’s protection even in times of persecution. They are paralleled in Mt 10:26–33. (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche asks “Can I honestly receive what is being taught today?”

I read a book on riding bikes off road, on the trail. The key is to focus on the path, not the stone in the path. You go where you look.

Jesus is telling me where to look. Don’t be afraid of the stone, my fear of others judgement and harm. Be afraid of the path. Focus on what truly matters.

Jesus sees I am afraid, focused on the perishable judgement of others, and He calls me friend. He offers advice I can live by.

Be afraid, focus on the one who knows every secret told in the dark, counts every hair on my head, and doesn’t allow a sparrow to go unnoticed. “Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10) (Dyche, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Comfort for those who doubt God's providence in Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"To bestow yet another means of comfort on our minds, he forcibly added that five sparrows are scarcely perhaps worth a penny, and yet God does not forget even one of them. He also said that the separate hairs of your head are all numbered. Consider how great care he takes of those that love him. The Preserver of the universe extends his aid to things so worthless and descends to the smallest animals. How can he forget those who love him, especially when he takes so great care of them? He condescends to visit them, to know exactly each particular of their state, and even how many are the hairs of their heads... Let us not doubt that with a rich hand he will give his grace to those who love him. He will not permit us to fall into temptation. If, by his wise purpose he permits us to be taken in the snare in order that we may gain glory by suffering, he will most assuredly grant us the power to bear it." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 87) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the message by the author of Ephesians that God deems us chosen ones, a Gentile audience. They have been invited into the gift of the Holy Spirit. They and we are called to live in the love between Father and the Son for all eternity and to feel the Love of God in us. Jesus condemns hypocrisy in the Pharisees. All things will be revealed as we become One with God. We will know, if we truly give witness, God is with us. The Ghenna Valley, outside of Jerusalem, a garbage dump for the Temple is a vivid description of the fate of those who reject God. Friar Jude underlines the promise that God cares for us more than sparrows or the hairs of our head. His Son dies for us. How can He turn His back on us?

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 12:1-7 comments that Isn’t it great news that the deepest longing of our hearts—the longing to be loved and accepted and cherished—finds its true fulfillment in the love of the Lord? We don’t have to go looking everywhere for this love; it’s already in us through the Holy Spirit.

We don’t have to worry that we’re not deserving of love; God has already declared that we are. And we don’t have to fear that this love will fizzle out; it flows continually from the heart of the One who promised to be with us “always” (Matthew 28:20).

As you begin your prayer today, listen as the Lord tells you, “You are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7)! Then lift your eyes to heaven, and praise him for loving you so deeply.

“Heavenly Father, I am in awe of you!” (Meditation on Luke 12:1-7, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Historian Diana Butler Bass who emphasizes the importance of “home” in Scripture and different faith traditions. Home is a central theme in the world’s great religions: Jews seeking a homeland with God; Christian proclaiming that God dwells within our hearts; Muslims facing home to pray; Buddhists find a true home in enlightenment…. Human beings build temples to shelter God’s presence, we mark sacred places with shrines, and we bury, float, or burn our dead that they might find their way home to God.

Specific stories also relate tales of us, home, and God. Perhaps none does so more beautifully than the book of Ruth. Ruth, a Moabite woman married to a Jew, is widowed. Instead of staying in her own homeland after her husband’s death, she pleads with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to be allowed to accompany her to Israel to find a new home: 

Where you go, I will go; 

where you lodge, I will lodge;  

your people shall be my people,  

and your God my God. 

Where you die, I will die— 

there will I be buried (Ruth 1:16–17) 

Home is the relationship between two people, a physical place, and God. This is sacred dwelling. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit as we ponder “Our Home is with God” and the consequences of this to our piety, study, and action as we journey on the Way.

References

Dyche, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection October 16, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-16-2026 

Ephesians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/1?11 

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?1 

Meditation on Luke 12:1-7. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/16/1694585/ 

Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?1

Rohr, R. (n.d.). God Is Our Home. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/god-is-our-home/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Do Not Fear Those Who Kill the Body. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Concupiscence and Scrupulosity

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present lists of vices and virtues as we ponder the destiny of the good and the wicked while trying to avoid over scrupulous attitudes.

Scrupulosity and Concupiscence

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians lists common vices and virtues.

* [5:19–23] Such lists of vices and virtues (cf. Rom 1:29–31; 1 Cor 6:9–10) were common in the ancient world. Paul contrasts works of the flesh (Gal 5:19) with fruit (not “works”) of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Not law, but the Spirit, leads to such traits.

* [5:21] Occasions of envy: after the Greek word phthonoi, “envies,” some manuscripts add a similar sounding one, phonoi, “murders.” (Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 1 contrasts with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked.

* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death.

* [1:1] The way: a common biblical term for manner of living or moral conduct (Ps 32:8; 101:2, 6; Prv 2:20; 1 Kgs 8:36).

* [1:2] The law of the LORD: either the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, or, more probably, divine teaching or instruction.

* [1:4] The wicked: those who by their actions distance themselves from God’s life-giving presence. (Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents a Denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law.

* [11:37–54] This denunciation of the Pharisees (Lk 11:39–44) and the scholars of the law (Lk 11:45–52) is set by Luke in the context of Jesus’ dining at the home of a Pharisee. Controversies with or reprimands of Pharisees are regularly set by Luke within the context of Jesus’ eating with Pharisees (see Lk 5:29–39; 7:36–50; 14:1–24). A different compilation of similar sayings is found in Mt 23 (see also notes there).

* [11:44] Unseen graves: contact with the dead or with human bones or graves (see Nm 19:16) brought ritual impurity. Jesus presents the Pharisees as those who insidiously lead others astray through their seeming attention to the law.

* [11:45] Scholars of the law: see note on Lk 10:25. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford comments that Paul, as a young Pharisee before his conversion, would have been familiar with the rigid legalism that burdened individuals and their communities. So, after warning the Galatians about the sinful nature of works of the flesh, he quickly turns attention to the fruit of the Spirit.

That is what we should desire. When we give ourselves over to the Spirit working in our lives, the burden of resisting the wrong things will be lessened as our self-control increases; and we and those we encounter will experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, and gentleness.

Loving God, keep us from the worldly temptations of the flesh and continue to work in us so that we become the people you want us to be, so that we individually and as a community bring your love to those we encounter. Holy Spirit, let your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control flourish in us and flow through us to reach others. (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Binding heavy burdens on others,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Just as the scribes and Pharisees wickedly sat upon the throne of Moses, so do some in the church who sit upon the ecclesiastical throne. There are some in the church who have the right understanding of the law and pass it on correctly. They say what each person needs to do, but they themselves do not do it. Some of them lay heavy burdens upon the shoulders of men, but they won't even lift a finger to help. These are the ones the Savior is talking about when he says, 'Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of God' (Matthew 5:19). There are others, however, who sit on the throne, who act before they speak and speak wisely, restraining those who are disordered. They place merciful burdens on the shoulders of others. They themselves are the first to lift the heavy burden, for the exhortation of other listeners. It is these of whom the Lord speaks when he says, 'He who does so and teaches others to do so, this man will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 9) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the message in Galatians where Paul contrasts flesh and spirit and our concupiscence. The list of disordered acts suggests our lives will be in confusion as we follow the works of flesh. The works of the Spirit are taken from the Hebrew Testament, Greek philosophy, and Paul’s ideas. The superlative in Hebrew is expressed by a triple repetition. The 3x3 grouping of the works of the Spirit indicates the best of the best. With Advent approaching we might think of the virtue we intend to practice throughout Advent. The Pharisee pays tithes on mint and of rue and this is like counting grains of salt. Jesus declares that they are over scrupulous and forget the important practices of charity and humility. Friar Jude comments that the scrupulous following rules of the Law results in religiosity and external practice that may omit charity, goddess and ignore the heart of faith.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 1:1-4, 6 comments that Paul also came to see that meditating on that very same Law—the Law enshrined in the word of God—opened him to the Holy Spirit and produced the fruit that he talks about in today’s first reading (Galatians 5:22-23): fruit like joy, patience, generosity, and self-control.

This is the blessedness that comes to us as we contemplate God’s law. He fills us with his life and starts to lessen our desires for sin and our drive toward selfishness. The weight of striving on our own power falls away, and our love for his ways grows. Because God’s love and his desire for us to walk with him are part of every one of his decrees.

Today, let’s proclaim with the psalmist that we delight in the law of the Lord! (Meditation on Psalm 1:1-4, 6, 2026)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on Homer’s Odyssey as an archetypal story that reveals the necessary journey from and return to home.

And so, like Odysseus, we leave from Ithaca and we come back to Ithaca, but now it is fully home because all is included and nothing wasted or hated; even the dark parts are used in our favor. All is forgiven. What else could homecoming be?!

Poet C. P. Cavafy (1863–1933) expressed this understanding most beautifully in his famous poem “Ithaca.” This is my rendering of its final lines:  

Ithaca has now given you the beautiful voyage.

Without her, you would never have taken the road.

With the great wisdom you have gained on your voyage,

with so much of your own experience now,

you must finally know what Ithaca really means. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

Concupiscence has been defined as the inherent human tendency toward lower, disordered passions and self-gratification (e.g., lust, greed, pride) resulting from original sin. Experiencing an attraction or temptation to do something selfish or forbidden. It is not a sin in itself. It is a consequence of the human condition that inclines one toward sin. Scrupulosity describes a form of moral perfectionism or religious Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) characterized by pathological doubt and fear of sin. (Google, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the human condition that may draw us to attraction to behaviour that is self focused or is overly concerned with moral perfection.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-14-2026 

Galatians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/5?18 

Google. (n.d.). Concupiscence and Scrupulosity. Google. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.google.com/search?q=Concupiscence+and+Scrupulosity&rlz=1CAEVJI_enCA962CA962&oq=Concupiscence+and+Scrupulosity&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg90gEIMTk1NGowajeoAgiwAgHxBexPAVd-kbx-8QXsTwFXfpG8fg&sourceid=chrome&source=chrome.ob&ie=UTF-8 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?42 

Meditation on Psalm 1:1-4, 6. (2026, October 14). The Word Among Us.  October 14, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/10/14/1693302/ 

Psalms, PSALM 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Odyssey: A Story of Homegoing. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-odyssey-a-story-of-homegoing/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Load Burdens Hard to Bear. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/