Twenty-Sixth Saturday of Ordinary Time

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

We shouldn’t rejoice in our gifts from God to the exclusion of being gracious for God’s saving grace. God gives gifts to all His children. However, only those who recognize His voice in their hearts and follow it will be given the grace of everlasting life. We can have all the talents and treasures in the world, but without a spirit of humble contrition and endless gratitude, we won’t be able to accept the saving grace God offers us. We must open ourselves in order to receive this grace and that means focusing our lives not on our successes, but rather on the spirit of love behind our actions.

What gifts have God given us? Do we rejoice not only in those gifts, but in the saving grace God’s given us? In what spirit do we speak our words and do our works?

O Lord, write our names in heaven.

Amen.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.

Jesus commands his followers to go make disciples of all nations in the name of the Holy Trinity and to teach them to observe the commandment to love God and our neighbors as Jesus loves us. But he does not send us on this mission alone. Our Father is with us, protecting us from evil. His Son, Jesus, is with us, loving us unconditionally. The Holy Spirit is with us, inspiring us to do what’s right. With the Holy Trinity for, with, and within us, we can do all good things.

Are we going forth and making disciples of the nations through our thoughts, words, and works? How often do we reflect on the role of the Holy Trinity in our lives? Do we thank the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for being with us always?

O Lord, help us make disciples of all nations, to baptize them in the name of your Holy Trinity, and to teach them to observe all you have commanded.

Amen.