Spiritual Life of the Last

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to live with holiness and mutual love when it is often the last practice when blinded by the prosperity myth.

As the Last will be First

The Reading from the First Letter of Peter proclaims the call of God’s people to holiness and to mutual love.

* [1:10–12] The Spirit of Christ (1 Pt 1:11) is here shown to have been present in the prophets, moving them to search, investigate, and prophesy about the grace of salvation that was to come (1 Pt 1:10), and in the apostles impelling them to preach the fulfillment of salvation in the message of Christ’s sufferings and glory (1 Pt 1:12).

* [1:13–25] These verses are concerned with the call of God’s people to holiness and to mutual love by reason of their redemption through the blood of Christ (1 Pt 1:18–21).

* [1:13] Gird up the loins of your mind: a figure reminiscent of the rite of Passover when the Israelites were in flight from their oppressors (Ex 12:11), and also suggesting the vigilance of the Christian people in expectation of the parousia of Christ (Lk 12:35).

* [1:14–16] The ignorance here referred to (1 Pt 1:14) was their former lack of knowledge of God, leading inevitably to godless conduct. Holiness (1 Pt 1:15–16), on the contrary, is the result of their call to the knowledge and love of God. (1 Peter, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 extolls God for Israel’s victory

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus presents the priorities of the “first”.

Mark 10.31 But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.”  (Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. George Meze, SJ, reflects on the words of Jesus: “There is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more.”

Does not spiritual freedom come by surrendering our need to control our situations? Perhaps a good example is the act of forgiveness. There are people who suffer not because they have done wrong, but because they have been wronged, and they find it extremely difficult to forgive. In most cases, while it is easy to be forgiven, forgiving others is rather difficult. However, the grace to forgive brings great peace and frees us from bitterness. Peace is a hundredfold better than the false sweetness of revenge.

The reality of following Christ is always filled with abundance, even in seemingly hopeless situations. There is always more to receive in our giving: A hundredfold profit by investing ourselves in Christ. (Meze, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:28-31 notes the reaction to Jesus’ words about how hard it can be for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.  Peter told Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you” (Mark 10:28). You can hear him asking himself, “What’s the use? We’re just poor fishermen; will we receive anything in return for following Jesus?”

Jesus’ response is as clear as it is amazing: they will receive “a hundred times more” in this life (Mark 10:30). God will bless them all overabundantly for everything they have given up.

If you make these offerings, big or small, Jesus will take them and use them to build his Church. You can’t multiply them by yourself, but he can. As you unite your acts of generosity and selflessness with the Lord, they will reach much further than they ever could without him. They will change hearts, heal wounds, and restore dignity. You may not always see the results, but you can trust that Jesus is ready to do great things through you!

“Lord, I offer all my actions, words, and thoughts to you today. Help me to do your will!” (Meditation on Mark 10:28-31, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the reading from 1 Peter speaks of the prophets who had foretold Jesus was part of God’s plan. The people now too should live a life of obedience seeking to be “Holy as God is Holy”  We are consecrated to the things of God. The reward concerns Peter, and Friar Jude cautions about adopting a Gospel of Prosperity as this is not what Jesus means. Friar Jude proclaims they will be living proudly as joyful people who celebrate everything like Francis of Assisi. We will live profoundly in our joys and sorrows by living with Jesus.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Feminist theologian Rebecca Button Pritchard who describes how the Spirit accompanies our embodiment. Recognizing how the Spirit lives, moves, and breathes in our bodies allows us to live a wholehearted, courageous faith:

True spirituality, embodied spirituality, may be described as wholeheartedness, as the integration of body and spirit, of nephesh and basar, of heart and soul. It is with this wholeheartedness that we hear and follow God’s voice; it is wholeheartedly that we find the words to cry out to God, to sing praise, to speak a prophetic word, a comforting word, to tell our stories, and to make sense of all our relationships. 

Wholehearted spirituality in the freedom of the Spirit gives us courage, courage to bear witness to God’s grace against all odds, courage to speak despite efforts to silence us, courage to act authentically and in ways that encourage and empower the weak and the vulnerable. The Spirit gives us the wisdom to discern truthful moments, to bring both suspicion and trust to the interpretation of both past and present. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the insight of the Spirit as we apply Jesus' proclamation of reversal of fortune in our action to support the lives of the “last” in our societal priorities.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?28 

Meditation on Mark 10:28-31. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/26/1578480/ 

Meze, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-26-2026 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/1?10 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 26, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-spirit-given-voice/ 

Prayer and Peace

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer the Lord’s Prayer to begin our resolution, like Jonah, of the mercy and love of God that is offered to all people even those we experience as enemies of our life and liberty.

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In the reading from the Book of Jonah, he expresses anger and Jonah Is reproved.

* [4:1] He became angry: because of his narrow vindictiveness, Jonah did not wish the Lord to forgive the Ninevites.

* [4:2] Punishment: lit., “evil”; see 1:2, 7, 8; 3:8, 10; 4:1.

* [4:4] The Lord’s question is as unexpected as it is pithy. It is also a mysterious reply to Jonah’s wish to die; perhaps it serves to invite Jonah to think over his situation. However, it goes unanswered, and the request and reply will be repeated in vv. 8–9.

* [4:5] Waited: Jonah still hopes his threat of doom will be fulfilled.

* [4:6] Gourd plant: the Hebrew word, qiqayon, means here a wide-leafed plant of the cucumber or castor-bean variety.

* [4:10] Concerned: the meaning of the Hebrew verb suggests “pity, care for,” and this appears in the Lord’s attitude to Nineveh in v. 11. Jonah has shown only a selfish concern over the plant in contrast to the Lord’s true “concern” for his creatures.

* [4:11] A selfish Jonah bemoans his personal loss of a gourd plant for shade without any concern over the threat of loss of life to the Ninevites through the destruction of their city. If a solicitous God provided the plant for a prophet without the latter’s effort or merit, how much more is God disposed to show love and mercy toward all people, Jew and Gentile, when they repent of their sins and implore divine pardon. God’s care goes beyond human beings to all creation, as in Job 38. (Jonah, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 86 is a supplication for Help against Enemies

* [Psalm 86] An individual lament. The psalmist, “poor and oppressed” (Ps 86:1), “devoted” (Ps 86:2), “your servant” (Ps 86:2, 4, 16), “rescued…from the depths of Sheol” (Ps 86:13), attacked by the ruthless (Ps 86:14), desires only God’s protection (Ps 86:1–7, 11–17). (Psalms, PSALM 86 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shares the Lord’s Prayer.

* [11:1–4] The Matthean form of the “Our Father” occurs in the “Sermon on the Mount” (Mt 6:9–15); the shorter Lucan version is presented while Jesus is at prayer (see note on Lk 3:21) and his disciples ask him to teach them to pray just as John taught his disciples to pray. In answer to their question, Jesus presents them with an example of a Christian communal prayer that stresses the fatherhood of God and acknowledges him as the one to whom the Christian disciple owes daily sustenance (Lk 11:3), forgiveness (Lk 11:4), and deliverance from the final trial (Lk 11:4). See also notes on Mt 6:9–13.

* [11:2] Your kingdom come: in place of this petition, some early church Fathers record: “May your holy Spirit come upon us and cleanse us,” a petition that may reflect the use of the “Our Father” in a baptismal liturgy.

* [11:3–4] Daily bread: see note on Mt 6:11. The final test: see note on Mt 6:13. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries for  October 11, 2023 had some technical difficulties at time of publication.

Don Schwager quotes “The privilege and responsibility of calling God Father,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"For the Savior said, 'When you pray, say, 'Our Father.' And another of the holy Evangelists adds, 'who art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9)... He gives his own glory to us. He raises slaves to the dignity of freedom. He crowns the human condition with such honor as surpasses the power of nature. He brings to pass what was spoken of old by the voice of the psalmist: 'I said, you are gods, and all of you children of the Most High' (Psalm 82:6). He rescues us from the measure of slavery, giving us by his grace what we did not possess by nature, and permits us to call God 'Father,' as being admitted to the rank of sons. We received this, together with all our other privileges, from him. One of these privileges is the dignity of freedom, a gift peculiarly befitting those who have been called to be sons. He commands us, therefore, to take boldness and say in our prayers, 'Our Father.'"(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 71) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Jonah 4:1-11 comments that Jonah plunges into despair. Once again, God tries to teach him the meaning of mercy. If the prophet grieves the loss of a simple plant, how much more would the Lord be concerned for an entire city of people who stood on the brink of destruction (Jonah 4:10-11)? The Lord is deeply invested in the lives of each person he created and wants nothing more than to bring them back to himself.

Jonah’s story ends before we find out how he responded to God’s mercy or whether he learned his lesson. But we can learn, even if he didn’t. Because even if he said it as a complaint, Jonah got one thing right: God is gracious and merciful. His mercy extends beyond our narrow parameters. It reaches out beyond us and the people we’re comfortable with. It forgives even our enemies, even those who have hurt us or a loved one. God wants every human being to be united with him in love. And he proves it to us by all the times he reaches out to us in mercy—even if we’re in the belly of a great big fish!

“Loving God, I praise you for your overwhelming mercy!” (Meditation on Jonah 4:1-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the anger of Jonah as he realizes that God will save the city of Nineveh, and the enemies of Israel. The “Lord’s Prayer” in Luke is likely very close to the original and in Matthew it is a fully developed liturgical prayer. Friar Jude reminds us of the connection of our forgiveness of others to our ability to accept forgiveness from God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Margaret Swedish, an advocate for ecological wholeness, who believes our time of planetary crisis invites us to a deeper, more expansive faith.

Because all of this can appear daunting and terrifying, we also search for an experience of God, a relationship, that is both large enough—and intimate enough—to counter the disorientation, dizziness, and sense of displacement we feel…. We seek … a place for an experience of the Divine within it, a new sense of our true home, of our cherished place in the cosmos and on this planet, a spiritual space large enough to contain all of our fears and our hopes, our questions and our bewilderment….

We need a sense of God that does not invite us to grow smaller, to retreat into personal sins with the expectation of some salvation apart from and outside this larger drama of our earth and cosmos. We need a sense of God that embraces that drama fully, with urgency, with passion, with love, as did the God revealed in Jesus Christ. [1] (Rohr, 2023)

We struggle with the response we have to situations in the world that are truly terrible and horrific as we attend to the Wisdom of the Spirit that asserts the mercy and love of God for all people.

References

Jonah, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 11, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jonah/4?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 11, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?1 

Meditation on Jonah 4:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 11, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/11/802796/ 

Psalms, PSALM 86 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 11, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/86? 

Rohr, R. (2023, October 11). Expanding Our Faith — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 11, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/expanding-our-faith/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, Teach Us to Pray. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 11, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct11 

Deliverance and Rejoicing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to recognize the times of desolation on our journey even as we celebrate the joy and love that we have experienced as disciples of Jesus.

Rejoicing in Community

The reading from the Prophet Baruch offers encouragement for Israel.

* [4:5–5:9] The poet addresses the exiles (vv. 5–9a), and then Zion personified is introduced, speaking to the nations and mourning the loss of her children (vv. 9b–16). She then addresses the exiles (vv. 17–29). Finally (4:30–5:9) the poet issues three calls to Jerusalem (4:30, 36; 5:5): she will see her children returning (4:22, 36–37; 5:5). (Baruch, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 69 is a prayer for Deliverance from Persecution.

* [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Ps 69:30–36). The Psalm, which depicts the suffering of the innocent just person vividly, is cited often by the New Testament especially in the passion accounts, e.g., Ps 69:5 in Jn 15:25; Ps 69:22 in Mk 15:23, 36 and parallels and in Jn 19:29. The Psalm prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice. There was, at this time, no belief in an afterlife where such vindication could take place. Redress had to take place now, in the sight of all. (Psalms, PSALM 69, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus rejoices at the Return of the Seventy. 

* [10:18] I have observed Satan fall like lightning: the effect of the mission of the seventy-two is characterized by the Lucan Jesus as a symbolic fall of Satan. As the kingdom of God is gradually being established, evil in all its forms is being defeated; the dominion of Satan over humanity is at an end.

* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27. (Luke, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)

Nancy Shirley offers a reflection,on the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, about the rosary.  It reminds us how the rosary has been an intricate part of many lives. 

It causes me to think of how I can put it back into my life in some ways that I have let lapsed.  Perhaps this rambling will cause others to think back to their very first rosary or one that was from a special place (I have some from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Medjugorje that I have on display) and go find them, hold them, pray with them; look at them with new eyes and see the “jewels” that they are and the promise that they hold.

You may be as surprised as I was with who sings this beautiful song: Miracle of the Rosary .. (Shirley, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “The power of the Kingdom of God,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"He also gave the holy apostles power and might even to raise the dead, cleanse lepers, heal the sick, and by the laying on of hands to call down from heaven the Holy Spirit on anyone they wanted. He gave them power to bind and to loose people's sins. His words are 'I say to you, whatever you will bind on earth, will be bound in heaven (Matthew 18:18). Whatever you will loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven.' These are the things we see ourselves possessing. Blessed are our eyes and the eyes of those of all who love him. We have heard his wonderful teaching. He has given us the knowledge of God the Father, and he has shown him to us in his own nature. The things that were by Moses were only types and symbols. Christ has revealed the truth to us. He has taught us that not by blood and smoke, but rather by spiritual sacrifices, we must honor him who is spiritual, immaterial and above all understanding."(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 67) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 10:17-24 comments about Francis of Assisi, Faustina Kowalska, and Teresa of Ávila, all October saints (October 4, 5, and 15). They are all admired for their deep faith and wisdom, yet none of them were known as a mighty healer of the sick. And like Thérèse, they all suffered from painful illnesses with little relief. Yet they knew that their names were written in heaven, and that knowledge gave them confidence, peace, and joy, regardless of their health.

So yes, pray for miracles, for yourself and others. But don’t base your faith on the outcome. Instead, rejoice that your name is written in heaven. Rejoice that Jesus wants to bring you to his side—right next to all the saints!

“Jesus, thank you for the greatest of all gifts: the gift of heaven!” (Meditation on Luke 10:17-24, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares how Baruch asserts to the Babylonian exiles that the mercy of God is greater than the sinfulness for which they have been punished. The Gospel of Luke urges us to rejoice in our attachment to Christ which is deeply experienced in childlike trust. Friar Jude declares that we live in a blessed age of forgiveness, charity, and acceptance of difference in our midst.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC teacher James Finley who offers a prayer for wholeness and healing.

Lord God, we thank you for the gift of the desire to be ever more clear and intimate in our awareness of your intimacy with us that’s sustaining us breath by breath by breath. We thank you for this.… We thank you for the desire not to break the thread of that connectedness with you as we go through the day, facing what we need to face, walking what we need to walk through.… We’re interiorly moved by your grace to reach out and touch the hurting places with love, that the suffering might dissolve in love, and to continue touching the hurting places with love until only love is left, and to be patient with this, and to be childlike, and to be open and faithful to this mysterious process in which we incarnate your healing presence in the midst of our lives. And we ask for this through your Son, Jesus. Amen. (Rohr, 2023)

We are grateful for the times of reconciliation that have renewed joy on our journey as the Spirit prompts us to love, compassion, and generosity.

References

Baruch, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/baruch/4?5 

Luke, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?17 

Meditation on Luke 10:17-24. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/07/800336/ 

Psalms, PSALM 69. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/69?33 

Rohr, R. (2023, October 7). Wholeness and Healing: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/wholeness-and-healing-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct7 

Shirley, N. (2023, October 7). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100723.html