Friday, September 25, 2026

There is a Season

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to understand more deeply our role as siblings of Jesus in living with love and compassion in all the times of our life.

A Time for Every Purpose


The Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes suggests No One Can Determine the Right Time to Act.


* [3:1–8] The fourteen pairs of opposites describe various human activities. The poem affirms that God has determined the appropriate moment or “time” for each. Human beings cannot know that moment; further, the wider course of events and purposes fixed by God are beyond them as well.

* [3:11] The timeless: others translate “eternity,” “the world,” or “darkness.” The author credits God with keeping human beings ignorant about God’s “work”—present and future. (Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)



Psalm 144 reflects a ceremony to ask for God’s help.


* [Psalm 144] The Psalm may reflect a ceremony in which the king, as leader of the army, asked God’s help (Ps 144:1–8). In Ps 144:9 the poem shifts abruptly from pleading to thanksgiving, and (except for Ps 144:11) shifts again to prayer for the people. The first section (Ps 144:1–2) is a prayer of thanks for victory; the second (Ps 144:3–7a), a humble acknowledgment of human nothingness and a supplication that God show forth saving power; the third (Ps 144:9–11), a promise of future thanksgiving; the fourth (Ps 144:12–15), a wish for prosperity and peace. A prayer for deliverance from treacherous foes serves as a refrain after the second and third sections (Ps 144:7b–8, 11). Except for its final section, the Psalm is made up almost entirely of verses from other Psalms. (Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB, n.d.)


The Gospel of Luke presents Peter’s Confession About Jesus.


* [9:18–22] This incident is based on Mk 8:27–33, but Luke has eliminated Peter’s refusal to accept Jesus as suffering Son of Man (Mk 8:32) and the rebuke of Peter by Jesus (Mk 8:33). Elsewhere in the gospel, Luke softens the harsh portrait of Peter and the other apostles found in his Marcan source (cf. Lk 22:39–46, which similarly lacks a rebuke of Peter that occurs in the source, Mk 14:37–38).

* [9:18] When Jesus was praying in solitude: see note on Lk 3:21.

* [9:20] The Messiah of God: on the meaning of this title in first-century Palestinian Judaism, see notes on Lk 2:11 and on Mt 16:13–20 and Mk 8:27–30. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)


Carol Zuegner comments that the passage from Ecclesiastes in today's first reading became a folk-rock musical hit in the 1960’s. (“Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds).


From the time the words were first written in the Old Testament, to the turbulent 1960s to today, the words remind us of the cyclical nature of life, and how we can hold out hope for what’s to come. Life has times that we mourn and times that we dance. What is constant is God and God’s love for us through all of these times. The words also remind me of what precious gifts we have in time and life, how blessed we are to feel sadness and joy.


In the Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus is praying in solitude with the apostles. A time to pray. Jesus is thinking of what’s to come with his crucifixion and resurrection. His time was short, but he knew what was to come. We don’t know what will come, but we can trust in God that there will be times of sowing and reaping, of laughter and of tears. We can make the most of the time we have to be good stewards of the lives we have. We can have faith in God and hope for peace in our own lives, the lives of others and the world. (Zuegner, 2026)



Don Schwager quotes “Peter confesses that Jesus is God's Anointed Son and Savior of all,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).


"You see the skillfulness of the question. He [Jesus] did not at once say, 'Who do you say that I am?' He refers to the rumor of those that were outside their company. Then, having rejected it and shown it unsound, he might bring them back to the true opinion. It happened that way. When the disciples had said, 'Some, John the Baptist, and others, Elijah, and others, that some prophet of those in old time has risen up,' he said to them, 'But you, who do you say that I am?' Oh! how full of meaning is that word you! He separates them from all others, that they may also avoid the opinions of others. In this way, they will not conceive an unworthy idea about him or entertain confused and wavering thoughts. Then they will not also imagine that John had risen again, or one of the prophets. 'You,' he says, 'who have been chosen,' who by my decree have been called to the apostleship, who are the witnesses of my miracles. Who do you say that I am?'"(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 49) (Schwager, n.d.)



Friar Jude Winker comments that we remember Qoheleth or the Preacher in Ecclesiastes is trying to attack the idea that God has it a determined role for us but rather we should follow the rhythm of life and as we age we do see some of that as our forms of prayer change quite a bit and we understand better and follow the rhythm of what we can do. In the Gospel Jesus asks the disciples “Who do people say He is ?” Peter responds that Jesus is The Christ (Messiah) of the Lord. But Jesus is connecting himself to the Suffering Servant and vocabulary from the Songs of the Suffering Servant. Friar Jude notes that this means Jesus is not the conquering hero to rescue Israel but the one who suffers on the Cross.


The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:18-22 comments that over time, as Peter and the others matured in their faith, they understood more clearly who Jesus is and exactly what kind of Messiah and Savior he would become.


Today, let Jesus ask you, “Who do you say that I am?” Take the time to sit in his presence, maybe with your Bible, and let him help you answer that question. As your knowledge of Jesus deepens, your foundation will be connected ever deeper, right down to the bedrock!


“Jesus, you are my firm foundation. Help me root myself deeply in you.” (Meditation on Luke 9:18-22, n.d.)



Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces activists Ken Butigan and Patricia Bruno who understand faith to be the center of all healing works of nonviolence. Nonviolence is a vocation to which Christians are called.


Our vocation as Christians is to respond to God’s call to join in the divine dance of compassionate and nonviolent love, collaborating with God’s healing power to fashion the conditions for true peace. In this spirit, we are called to a ministry of active nonviolence in our homes, in our work-places, in our churches, in the streets, in the larger world, and in our own selves. This means that nonviolence is not simply a tool or a tactic. It is a spiritual journey that, with God’s love, overturns the violence system in our own lives and in the life of the world….


To engage in active nonviolence is both an act of faith in the God of Love and a way of experiencing the God of Love. (Rohr, n.d.)


We petition the Holy Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the “seasons” of our life and support our mission as examples of Jesus' Way in challenging times.



References

Ecclesiastes, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ecclesiastes/3? 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?18 

Meditation on Luke 9:18-22. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/25/1677241/ 

Psalms, PSALM 144 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/144?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). God of Love, Act of Faith. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/god-of-love-act-of-faith/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Do You Say That Jesus Is? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/? 

Zuegner, C. (2026, September 25). Daily Reflection September 25, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-25-2026 



Thursday, September 24, 2026

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/? 



Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Sufficiency and Sacrifice

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to evaluate how we determine the level of sufficiency we maintain and our trust in Providence to supply what we need.

Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest


The Book of Proverbs offers a prayer against lying words and for sufficiency of goods.


* [30:5–6] Verse 5, like the confession of the king in Ps 18:31 (and its parallel, 2 Sm 22:31), expresses total confidence in the one who rescues from death. Agur has refused a word from any other except God and makes an act of trust in God.

* [30:7–9] A prayer against lying words and for sufficiency of goods, lest reaction to riches or destitution lead to offenses against God. (Proverbs, CHAPTER 30 | USCCB, n.d.)


Psalm 119 delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts.


* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)


The Gospel of Luke advocates relying on Providence in The Mission of the Twelve


* [9:1–6] Armed with the power and authority that Jesus himself has been displaying in the previous episodes, the Twelve are now sent out to continue the work that Jesus has been performing throughout his Galilean ministry: (1) proclaiming the kingdom (Lk 4:43; 8:1); (2) exorcising demons (Lk 4:33–37, 41; 8:26–39) and (3) healing the sick (Lk 4:38–40; 5:12–16, 17–26; 6:6–10; 7:1–10, 17, 22; Lk 8:40–56).

* [9:3] Take nothing for the journey: the absolute detachment required of the disciple (Lk 14:33) leads to complete reliance on God (Lk 12:22–31).

* [9:5] Shake the dust from your feet: see note on Mt 10:14. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)


Nancy Shirley explains that we can forgive yet still expect accountability for the transgression.


As we say the Our Father at every mass, the idea of asking for forgiveness of our trespasses is contingent upon us forgiving those who have trespassed against us. Thus, we must forgive to be forgiven. It is a challenge for me at times to know if I have actually forgiven as I still remember very well the “trespass.” Yet, I do not seek retribution for the act, rather just a feeling of wanting to shake the dust from my feet and move on and no longer include this person as part of my life. The struggle is real and the solution allusive to me still. I want to be loving and forgiving but my humanness does not want to expose myself again to the hurt or damages caused by the person. The question remains to me: can I forgive seventy-seven times and still shake the dust and walk away?

As I was thinking about a song to connect to this reflection, I thought of the song about being a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody. I got into the car and the first song on K-Love was the very song I was considering. Another God-wink!! Here it is …

Nobody by Casting Crowns (Shirley, n.d.)



Don Schwager quotes “Jesus gave power and authority to his apostles,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).


"The grace bestowed upon the holy apostles is worthy of all admiration. But the bountifulness of the Giver surpasses all praise and admiration. He gives them, as I said, his own glory. They receive authority over the evil spirits. They reduce to nothing the pride of the devil that was so highly exalted and arrogant. They render ineffectual the demon's wickedness. By the might and efficacy of the Holy Spirit, burning them as if they were on fire, they make the devil come forth with groans and weeping from those whom he had possessed... He glorified his disciples, therefore, by giving them authority and power over the evil spirits and over sicknesses. Did he honor them without reason and make them famous without any logical cause? How can this be true? It was necessary, most necessary, that they should be able to work miracles, having been publicly appointed ministers of sacred proclamations. By means of their works, they then could convince men that they were the ministers of God and mediators of all beneath the heaven. The apostles then could invite them all to reconciliation and justification by faith and point out the way of salvation and of life that is this justification." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 47) (Schwager, n.d.)




Friar Jude Winkler comments in the passage from Proverbs today the first grouping of the text are the words of God and the direction to hold to them. The author offers a prayer not to have too much, not too little but only what he needs. The Gospel presents the mandate to the Apostles to take nothing and God will provide. In Luke, trust in Providence is part of reaching out to the anawim, those excluded from the society. Friar Jude notes that Apostles should become anawim to trust in God and know you will not make it without Him.



The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:1-6 comments that the message of Jesus, of the apostles, and of the Church is twofold. First, “The kingdom of God is at hand!” Everyone welcomes that exciting news. But then comes the call: “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Change your heart. Turn away from sin. Humble yourself before the Lord.


This is where we get caught. We forget that we are sinners. We forget that Jesus came to take away our sins—and to do it not by himself but very much with our cooperation. Or we forget that repentance is a lifelong pursuit as we continue to learn more about ourselves and the areas of our lives that we might try to shield from the Lord.


But God is persistent. And he is patient. The key is to not close the door on him abruptly when you feel resistance in your heart. Instead, let him in and just listen. Give him the chance to show you the freedom that comes when you repent and believe!


“Lord, help me to welcome you into all aspects of my life.” (Meditation on Luke 9:1-6, n.d.)




Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reminds us that embodying nonviolence requires facing the structures of violence in our culture, church, and world. We seem to have assumed that the individual must live the gospel but that the corporate church doesn’t have to. We Christians expected individuals to be poor while the institution remained rich. This cannot be right. We have to live the gospel not just individually but institutionally, socially, and corporately.


Having traveled and taught in many countries, I have learned to recognize many of the beautiful aspects of the United States. We have historically enjoyed many privileges in terms of freedom, education, and resources. Yet I have also seen America’s shadow side, particularly our insistence on individuality. If our prayer journey does not lead us to a collective sense of servanthood and responsibility for the world, I think we will have failed in our willingness to deal with the violence of the world. I think the violence will continue as long as much of the world views us as a part of an oppressive system. In many respects, they’re not wrong! Only one thing is more difficult to deal with than the individual ego, and that’s the corporate ego, which is usually more disguised, protected, and denied. Unless we’re willing to face it, we will continue to participate in cycles of anger, hatred, and violence rather than healing and justice. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)


Richard ties our acceptance of violence to the belief that Jesus’s violent death was necessary for God to forgive us:


Our commonly accepted atonement theory—especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Jesus—reaffirmed our narrow notion of retributive justice and legitimated a notion of “good and necessary violence” all the way down. As long as we employ any retributive notion of God’s justice, we trade our distinctive Christian message for the cold, hard justice that has prevailed in most cultures throughout history. We offer no redemptive alternative to history but actually sanctify the very “powers and principalities” that Paul says unduly control the world (Ephesians 3:9–10, 6:12). We stay inside of what some call the “myth of redemptive violence,” which might just be the dominant story line of history. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)


We seek the consolation of the Spirit as we work through our motivation to work with Christ in the environment of our community to be apostles of faith, hope, and love.



References

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?1 

Meditation on Luke 9:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/23/1674954/ 

Proverbs, CHAPTER 30 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/30? 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Corporate Violence Met by Corporate Good. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/corporate-violence-met-by-corporate-good/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Gave Them Authority over All Demons and Diseases. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/? 

Shirley, N. (n.d.). Daily Reflection September 23, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-23-2026