“The Ones Who Hear and Act”

 

Readings 092226

I am a deacon 

because I heard the voice 

of One greater than I calling me.  

A quiet summons… 

steady, unmistakable…  

drawing me into service.  

And when I visit the sick,  

or sit beside someone who is struggling,  

I see Christ looking back at me—  

in their eyes, 

in their wounds, 

in their hope.  

That is why I go.  

That is why I serve.

I am a spiritual director 

because I hear the cry  

of those carrying moral injury,  

those wounded by trauma,  

searching for the Divine Physician  

who heals 

what no human hand can reach.  

And I walk with them  

because the Lord tests hearts,  

and teaches us 

doing what is right and just  

is more pleasing to Him  

than anything we might claim 

as our own righteousness.

Scripture warns us gently:  

He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor  

will one day cry out  

and not be heard.  

So I keep my ear open,  

my heart open,  

my life open—  

because mercy is not optional in the Kingdom.

And then the Gospel brings it all together.  

“Your mother and your brothers are outside,” they said.  

Jesus replied,  

“My mother and my brothers  

are those who hear the word of God  

and act on it.”

To hear…  

to act…  

to belong to Christ  

living His mercy 

toward every person 

He places before us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

Open my ears to the cries of those

You place before me.  

Let my heart be steady, humble,

and ready to serve.  

Heal the wounded ones

who seek Your mercy.  

Make my life a quiet answer

to Your call.  

And draw us all into the family

of those who hear Your word

and act on it.

Amen

For Those Called

 

Readings /092126 

Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist

One of the greatest gifts  

God has shown to me  

is the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius—  

a way of praying that steadies the soul,  

a quiet path  

that deepens our relationship with God  

and with one another.

For those who struggle to hear  

the whisper of the Spirit,  

these exercises become tools of grace—  

simple, steady practices  

that teach the heart  

to find God in all things,  

even in the moments  

when God feels far away.

And today, on the feast of Saint Matthew,  

we remember that grace is given  

to each of us  

according to the measure  

of Christ’s own gift.

Matthew knew that gift well.  

A tax collector,  

a man others avoided,  

a soul the world had written off—  

yet Jesus saw him,  

called him,  

loved him.

“Those who are well  

do not need a physician,  

but the sick do.  

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.  

I did not come to call the righteous  

but sinners.”

So today we pray:  

Lord, give us Matthew’s courage  

to rise when You call,  

Ignatius’s wisdom  

to listen when You whisper,  

and hearts wide enough  

to receive the mercy  

You never stop giving.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, 

Let courage rise in us today.  

Let calm wisdom steady our hearts.  

Teach us to hear Your whisper

in the quiet places.  

Draw us close

when we feel far from Your grace.  

And fill us with mercy

that mirrors Your own.

Amen

St. Matthew, pray for us.