Our Daily Bread: Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29; Luke 14:1, 7-11

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Do I hold myself above others because of my nationality, religion, good taste or virtuous life? If I seriously believe that I am intrinsically superior to any of God’s children because of the circumstances of my life, especially my citizenship in God’s kingdom, then I am exalting myself and headed for embarrassment. I need to learn humility, which requires that I discard all masks — Halloween or otherwise — in favor of complete honesty and simple gratitude. All my gifts, especially God’s saving grace, are just that: unearned gifts. Lord, thank you for all your gifts.

*Help me always to use them for your glory and the good of my brothers and sisters.

Our Daily Bread:Rom 9:1-5; Luke 14:1-6

I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.

In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus wept over Jerusalem because so many refused his message. Today, Paul anguishes over the rift between followers of Christ and his Jewish kin. If we are truly alert to Jesus’ words, "That all may be one," we too should be earnestly praying and honestly working toward understanding and unity among people of different faiths. Christians are divided into many denominations. Jews are divided from Christians; both are divided from Muslims. Yet all of these faiths worship the one God. Let us pray, study and interact with all men and women of faith to forge paths of understanding and bonds of love.

*Lord, teach us to love all those who love you, for your sake.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 8:31b-39; Luke 13:31-35

If God is for us, who can be against us?

A cynic’s response: "Everyone else." We are sometimes overwhelmed by the obstacles we encounter as we seek to do God’s will. We feel abandoned by our friends and even by God. Today’s first reading is an impassioned argument in support of faith. Paul, who certainly knew temptation and opposition, boldly challenges us to believe and to act fearlessly on our belief because God the all-mighty, who is closer to us than our heartbeat, stronger than the worst evil we will ever face, loves us immeasurably and sustains us unfailingly. The more we affirm our faith and act on it, the stronger our faith becomes.

*Let us make a daily act of faith part of our lives. Lord, I believe. Help my disbelief.

Our Daily Bread: Eph 2:19-22; Luke 6:12-16

Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred to the Lord.

We know very little about the apostles Simon (the Zealot) and Jude, as is the case with most of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus certainly chose some unlikely people to be his closest companions and to guide the church after his ascension — ignorant fishermen, a despised tax collector and a one-time member of the rebellious Zealots. The point is beautifully made in the first reading. We, like the apostles, are being formed through Christ into a temple for God. We are perfected by God’s grace in Jesus Christ. None of us earns this or deserves it. It is all God’s gracious gift.

*We thank you, Lord, for making us your own; use us as you will.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 8:18-25; Luke 13:18-21

The sufferings of the present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. We all become impatient, even with God. We work and pray for universal concerns like war, poverty and children denied life, or — closer to home — an alienated loved one or a child who has left the church. We donate money, time and skills to healing the ills of the world and our loved ones. When we seem to see no change, we almost despair. But our prayers and sufferings are not in vain. God builds the kingdom through us, quietly, like leavening yeast and germinating seed … but in God’s time.

*Lord, grant us the grace to trust in you, hope in you and love you in all people, for your love’s sake.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 8:12-17; Luke 13:10-17

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Paul warns us, as daughters and sons of God, against allowing ourselves to become slaves to the flesh. This goes beyond inappropriate behaviors involving eating, drinking and sexual activity. We live in such a consumer-driven culture that it might not occur to us that we are also being warned against the pitfalls of materialism or perhaps just plain selfishness. In these times, when so many are experiencing economic hardship and global disaster threatens, let us thank God for what we have, actively seek ways to help those whose need is greater than ours, and explore a simpler, more neighborly, more earth-friendly lifestyle.

*Lord, teach us that being your children calls for simplicity, sharing and stewardship.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 8:1-11; Luke 13:1-9

Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future.

We put off reforming our lives. God is patient, but how long can we procrastinate? Do we really want to find out? Let’s get serious about having something to show as disciples of the Lord. A daily examination of conscience will cultivate our hearts for the repentance we need to show. Gratitude used in a conscious, active way can be good fertilizer for our reform. As we seek God’s will for us each day, surrendering to it and acting upon it in faith, the good fruit for which the Lord looks will surely appear.

*For ongoing conversion that leads to authentic discipleship, we pray.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 7:18-25a; Luke 12:54-59

So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.

We may take some comfort in knowing that the great St. Paul was as conflicted as we are in our struggles with sin. But why are we so bad at being good? Paul’s analysis uncovers a principle: Wherever we are, whatever we do, evil lurks around every corner. The struggle between good and evil permeates the cosmos, right down to our own hearts. We must continually rout out evil there as we strive also to do so in the world. Our efforts to do good always will include fighting off discouragement over our own weakness and disappointment over the slowness of our progress.

*For courage, patience and growth in virtue, we pray.

Our daily Bread: Rom 6:19-23; Luke 12:49-53

But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life.

Every choice is a renunciation. Our "Yes" to one thing is "No" to another. We choose a life that is pleasing to God by rejecting one that isn’t. If we are growing in faith and goodness, we should be able to recall some sinful habits, attitudes and behaviors to which we have said "No." Perhaps we have renounced gossip, worry or laziness; perhaps dishonesty, smoking or junk food. Maybe we have adopted kinder ways of relating to others or healthier ways of caring for ourselves, our families and the environment. What still needs our "Yes"?

*For holiness and freedom from sin, we pray.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 6:12-18; Luke 12:39-48

Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.

Paul’s talk of slavery may rub us the wrong way. We would rather not be enslaved to anybody or anything. Yet it is an apt description for the kind of hold sin can have on us. And acquiring the marks of a slave — humility and submission to the Master’s will — is also the starting place for a strong commitment to Christ, one we need in order to keep turning away from our sinful inclinations. Enslavement to sin is miserable, even horrific, as it demands our participation in every sort of vice. But the Lord’s mastery is altogether different. His is the easy yoke, the light burden, for he demands only goodness, justice and virtue.

*For a strong commitment to the Lord, we pray.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; Luke 12:35-38

But the gift is not like the transgression.

Paul sets up a comparison of Adam with Christ to prove a point: There really is no comparison! Why would we choose disobedience, sin and death when, in Christ, obedience, righteousness and life are an option? When we consider benefit and value, is the death-dealing transgression of sinfulness any match for the gracious gift of God’s salvation and fullness of life in Christ? For all of its seductiveness and power, in the end, sin gets trumped by grace. Still, we have to choose. Which do I want: the wretchedness of a disobedient, sinful life or the peace, love and joy of life in Christ? It’s kind of a no-brainer.

*For prudence to choose good over evil, we pray.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 4:20-25; Luke 12:13-21

Memorial of North American Jesuit martyrs and their companions, martyrs
But it was not for him alone that it was written that ‘it was credited to him ...’

Faith is a dynamic force that motivates us, opening the door to inspiration and creativity, welcoming revelation. Revelation, in turn, deepens our faith. Moreover, as we share and compare our experience of God in the community of believers, we are drawn deeper yet into divine mystery. Jesus told his disciples that faith can move mountains. He also told people repeatedly that their faith had saved them. As we ponder the value and power of this remarkable gift, may we learn to cultivate and use it with diligence and wisdom.

*May faith impel us, as it did Abraham, toward God’s promise to us — fullness of life in Christ. For vibrant faith, we pray.