A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
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THIS WEEK: “BENEATH THE BALLOT: The Roots of Our Republic | Part 2 (GO)”
GOD’S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
Planning for your future? Your horizon reaches beyond retirement.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | Luke 16:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
‘What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.’
The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.’
He called in his master’s debtors one by one.
To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’
He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’
Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’
He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’
He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.’
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than the children of light.”
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Living in communion with God gives our present choices an eternal horizon.
Where do you bring more imagination and determination to protecting your comfort than to growing in holiness?
The steward receives news that interrupts everything: his position is ending, and an account is required. Suddenly, the future becomes urgent. He examines his circumstances, recognizes his limitations, and acts. The story confronts us with an uncomfortable possibility: we may respond more decisively to a threatened income or reputation than to a pattern that is weakening our life with God.
Jesus makes the steward’s dishonesty explicit. The commendation concerns his prudence in responding to the crisis; it does not make his conduct a model of integrity. That distinction matters. We need not settle every question about the debt reductions to hear the challenge Jesus names: people pursuing worldly security can display an energy and foresight that His disciples fail to bring to their eternal good.
We recognize that uneven investment. We research a purchase, prepare for a meeting, or review our finances with care. These responsibilities deserve attention. Yet prayer remains something we hope will happen, Confession waits for a convenient opportunity, and a strained relationship receives another week of avoidance. An eternal horizon asks us to bring our intelligence and initiative into the whole of discipleship. What matters forever deserves attention today.
This begins within our relationship with God. We can treat spiritual growth as a private improvement project, making resolutions while carrying the work alone. Christ invites us into His life, where grace forms both our desires and our decisions. We were created for communion with Him. Prayer lets us ask what needs to change; the sacraments nourish the life from which a faithful response becomes possible. Prudence then helps translate that response into a concrete next step.
For us as parents, the home is the domestic church, where priorities become visible through arrangements. We can plan transportation for every activity while leaving shared prayer without a place in the day. We can save diligently for a child’s education while rarely discussing their relationship with Christ. Love calls us to care for both. A brief prayer after dinner, a scheduled conversation with our spouse, or a family plan for Confession gives a good intention somewhere to take root.
Build saint-forming homes by bringing thoughtful preparation to your family’s life with God; pray over your spouse and children by name, asking for wisdom to recognize what has lasting value; act in the power of the Holy Spirit by turning one neglected spiritual responsibility into a specific commitment you will keep.
“We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will.” (CCC 1821)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
In My Heart: What spiritually important matter have I left vague while carefully planning less consequential things?
In My Home: What practical arrangement would help our family grow in prayer, reconciliation, or faithful service?
In My World: How could I use my abilities and resources more deliberately for a good that will outlast me?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around … invite each person to name something worthwhile they prepared for and explain how preparation helped. Choose one simple way to bring that same care to following Jesus this week.
Then pray over each person by name: “Father, help [Name] personally know the love with which You guide their life. Free them from the Enemy’s lies that their choices do not matter or that responding to You can always wait. Strengthen them to overcome temptation, especially dishonesty, distraction, and spiritual laziness. Holy Spirit, give them joy in living the Gospel through wise decisions, faithful commitments, and generous use of their gifts. Amen.”
Daily Challenge: Put one needed spiritual commitment on your calendar and make the arrangements to keep it.
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
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