SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER

October 25, 2026October 25, 2026

26 OCTOBER 2026

Church Social Graphic: Live As Children of Light (Ephesians 5:8) - SermonCentral.com

MONDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 4: 32– 5: 8; Ps 1: 1-4, 6; Lk 13: 10-17

LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT THROUGH MERCY AND FREEDOM

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on what it means to live as God’s beloved children. Through Christ’s saving sacrifice we have been reconciled with God, and He has taught us to call God as Father. The readings today call us to imitate God’s love, choose the path of righteousness, and allow Christ to free us from whatever keeps us bound. St. Paul gives practical guidance for Christian living. He begins with a simple but demanding command: “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.”

Christian forgiveness is not based on whether others deserve it, but on the forgiveness we ourselves have received from God. When we forgive, show kindness, and act with compassion, we reflect God’s own heart. For some people love is easy while for others it is difficult, but to “live in love,” following Christ is neither easy nor difficult because according to the gospel love is not merely a feeling; it is self-giving, sacrificial, and holy. Christians are called to be different because they have moved from darkness into light.

In the Gospel (Luke 13:10–17), Jesus heals a woman who was bent over for eighteen years. She could not straighten herself, but Jesus saw her, called her forward, and set her free. His compassion broke through all barriers of healing on the Sabbath. For Jesus, the dignity and freedom of a suffering person was more necessary than following rigid rules. For those of us bound by bondages of various kinds such as physical illness, emotional wounds, guilt, fear, resentment, addiction, or discouragement, there is hope. Jesus is the perfect friend, sensitive to our needs. All he desires of us is to build a personal relationship with him and he will prove without fail that he has the power to restore and heal so that we experience the love of our Heavenly Father. Let us, like the Psalmist, pray that we may be deeply rooted in The Word of God so that our life may bear fruit and reflect God’s love to everyone we meet.

Response: Behave like God as his very dear children.

October 23, 2026October 25, 2026

25 OCTOBER 2026

Carrie Jones Quote: “Tell Me Whom You Love and I'll Tell You Who You Are.”

SUNDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Ex 22: 21-27; Ps 18: 2-4, 47, 51; 1 Thes 1: 5-10; Mt 22: 34-40

TELL ME WHOM YOU LOVE, AND I’LL TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE

It is often said that if we really want to know who a person is, we should look at what or whom that person loves. Our loves reveal our priorities. They influence our decisions, shape our relationships, and gradually form the kind of people we become. A person may speak about many things, but ultimately, what we love tells the deeper story of our lives. In this sense, the readings today invite us to ask a simple yet profound question: Whom do I really love? And what does my love reveal about me?

In the Gospel, a Pharisee asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus does not hesitate. He says that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind. But Jesus does something equally important: He immediately connects this love with another commandment: to love our neighbour as ourselves. For Jesus, these two loves cannot be separated. Love of God is not something that exists independently from the way we treat the people around us. The person who truly loves God will gradually learn to see, respect and love others with the heart of God.

The first reading gives us a very practical picture of what this love looks like. God speaks about the stranger, the widow, the orphan and the poor. These were people who could easily be ignored because they had little power or protection. Yet God warns His people not to take advantage of them. He even says that when they cry out, He will hear their cry. This reveals that God is especially attentive to those whom society can overlook. Therefore, loving our neighbour is not merely about being kind to people we like. It means becoming sensitive to those who are vulnerable, inconvenient, forgotten or unable to repay us. Sometimes it is someone who has hurt us or a lonely elderly person whom everyone else seems to avoid.

The second reading presents us with a beautiful example of this kind of Christian life. St Paul praises the Thessalonians because they had received the Gospel and allowed it to transform their lives. Their faith did not remain something they professed with their lips; it became something that could be seen in their lives. They themselves became a model for other believers. Their love for God became visible through the way they lived. This is perhaps one of the greatest challenges for Christians today. We can have beautiful churches, devotional practices, prayers, medals, rosaries and religious traditions which are all precious. But the world ultimately wants to know whether our faith has made us more loving. Can people see something of Christ in the way we relate with them?

A new version of ‘Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are,’ can be created today: ‘Tell me whom you love, and I will tell you who you are.’ If our hearts are filled with love for God, that love cannot remain hidden. It will eventually spill over into our relationships. We will become more compassionate, more patient, more forgiving and more attentive to the needs of others. Perhaps, then, today’s Gospel is not simply asking us whether we love God. It is asking us to examine what our love for God is producing in us. Does it make us kinder? Does it make us less judgmental? Does it make us more generous? Does it make us notice the person whom others ignore? Does it make our presence a source of peace and consolation?

At the end of our lives, people may forget many things about us: our achievements, possessions, positions and even our words. But they are unlikely to forget how we made them feel. They will remember whether our presence made them feel loved, welcomed, valued and cared for. That is the kind of faith the Thessalonians had: a faith that could be seen. And that is the kind of love Jesus asks of us: a love of God that becomes love of neighbour. So, as we reflect on these readings today, we are to carry one question with us: “If someone watched the way I love, what would they discover about the God I believe in?” May our answer be found not merely in our words, but in our lives. For ultimately, ‘tell me whom you love, and I will tell you who you are.’

Response: I love you, Lord, my strength.

October 23, 2026October 23, 2026

24 OCTOBER 2026

Living Kingdom: Called to bear fruit – Adventist Record

SATURDAY, TWENTY NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 4: 7-16; Ps 122: 1-5; Lk 13: 1-9

GOD GIVES US TIME TO BEAR FRUIT

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on God’s patience, our gifts, and the fruitfulness of our lives. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of the barren fig tree. The owner comes looking for fruit but finds none. He wants to cut the tree down. But the gardener pleads with him to till and manure it another year! This is a beautiful picture of God’s mercy. The tree has not produced fruit, yet God does not immediately abandon it. He gives it another opportunity. In the same way, there are moments when we may feel that our lives are not bearing enough fruit; our faith may be weak, our prayer may be dry, or we may keep falling into the same mistakes. Yet God patiently says, “Give it another chance.”

But the Gospel also gives us a challenge. God’s patience is not an invitation to remain unchanged. The extra time is given so that the tree may finally bear fruit. St. Paul reminds us that Christ has given different gifts to each member of the Church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These gifts are given “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ.” Therefore, whatever gift we have our intelligence, creativity, compassion, leadership, communication, or simply our ability to encourage someone, is not meant only for ourselves. God’s gifts become meaningful when they become gifts to others.

The Psalm expresses the joy of journeying together toward God: “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” We do not grow alone. We need God and we need one another. So today, let us ask ourselves: What fruit is my life producing? Am I becoming more loving, patient, forgiving and generous? And am I using the gifts God has given me for the good of others? This is the wonderful message of today: God has not given up on us. The Gardener is still working on us. May we allow His grace to cultivate our hearts so that our lives may truly bear fruit.

Response: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

October 22, 2026October 22, 2026

23 OCTOBER 2026

Friends, in today's Gospel (Luke 12:54–59), Jesus criticizes the crowd by saying that they could interpret the earth and the clouds but do not know how to interpret the present time. So,

FRIDAY, TWENTY NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 4: 1-6; Ps 24: 1-6; Lk 12: 54-59

WHY WAIT, WHEN WE KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT?

The readings of today invite us to look at the way we live with one another and the way we respond to God’s call. The Gospel invites us to recognize what God is asking from us.

Paul reminds us to live in a way that shows our faith and the calling we have received from God. He asks the Christians to be humble, gentle, patient, and ready to bear with one another in love. Paul reminds us that our faith must be seen in the way we treat people. He also speaks about unity. There is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith and one baptism. We may have different personalities, opinions and responsibilities, but we belong to the same Lord. Unity does not mean that everyone has to think in the same way. It means that we learn to respect one another and work together without allowing small differences to divide us.

We may know what is right, but knowing is not enough. The Gospel challenges us to act before the opportunity passes. God gives us moments of grace, and we should not ignore them because of pride, fear, or delay. The Gospel reminds us to recognize the signs of God’s presence and His call in our lives. We are often quick to notice what is happening around us, but we may fail to see what is happening in our own hearts. We may know when a relationship is hurting, when someone needs our forgiveness, or when God is asking us to change, yet we sometimes delay responding to His grace.

Today the Lord asks us to take one simple step, that is, to forgive someone, to speak gently, to make peace, or to correct something in our own life. We do not need to wait for a perfect moment. When God gives us the light to see, we should also have the courage to respond. Let us ask the Lord for humble hearts so that we may listen to His voice. May our faith be seen not only in our prayers, but in the way we forgive and love each day.

Response: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

22 OCTOBER 2026

Daily Reflection | Catholic Connect

THURSDAY, TWENTY NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of Pope St John Paul II

Eph 3: 14-21; Ps 33: 1-2,4-5,11-12,18-19; Lk 12: 49-53

WHEN LOVE SETS THE HEART ON FIRE

St. Paul tells us to be rooted and grounded in love, while Jesus declares, “I have come to bring fire upon the earth.” One speaks of love; the other speaks of fire. Yet these are not two different messages. The love of Christ is itself a fire. A tree does not become strong because its branches are beautiful, but because its roots run deep. In the same way, our Christian life cannot depend only on pleasant circumstances or the appreciation of others. We need deeper roots.

St. Paul prays that Christ may dwell in our hearts and that we may be rooted and grounded in love. What a beautiful image! We are not merely asked to know Christ, speak about Christ, or occasionally remember Christ. We are invited to make our hearts His dwelling place. But love, when it is genuine, does not leave us unchanged. A small flame placed in a cold room changes the atmosphere. A fire does not merely illuminate; it gives warmth, consumes what is useless, and transforms what it touches. This is the fire Jesus speaks about: “I have come to bring fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled”

Perhaps this is the fire we sometimes resist. We want Jesus to comfort us, but not necessarily to challenge us. We want His peace, but not always His truth. We want Him to bless our choices, but we may hesitate when He asks us to change them. The fire of Christ burns away our pride, selfishness, resentment, jealousy and indifference. It warms the heart that has grown cold. It gives courage to the person who is afraid. It gives light when the path ahead is uncertain. A Christian is not called to be a troublemaker, but neither are we called to be people-pleasers. The deeper question is not, Will everyone approve of me? but, Will Christ find a home in me?

Response: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

October 20, 2026October 20, 2026

21 OCTOBER 2026

LUKE 12: 40 (Today's Gospel Reading: Luke 12:39-48) – A CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE

WEDNESDAY, TWENTY NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 3: 2-12; Is 12: 2-6; Lk 12: 39-48

BEING READY

“Be ready,” Jesus tells us today. He compares human life to servants waiting for their master to return. They do not know the hour, but they remain faithful because they love and trust their master. A little boy once asked his mother, “When is Grandpa coming home?” She replied, “I don’t know the exact time, but let us keep the house clean and supper ready.” The boy happily helped prepare everything. When Grandpa finally arrived, he was welcomed with joy. They were ready not because they knew the hour, but because they loved the one who was coming. This is exactly what Jesus asks of us. Christian life is not about living in fear of the end. It is about living every day with love, faithfulness, and hope. Every moment is an opportunity to welcome Christ: in prayer, in the Eucharist, in our families, and especially in those who are poor, lonely, and suffering.

Jesus also reminds us that “much will be required of the person entrusted with much.” God has entrusted each of us with precious gifts: our faith, our family, our talents, our time, and our resources. These are not possessions to keep for ourselves but blessings to be shared. The question at the end of life will not be, “How much did you own?” but “How faithfully did you love and serve?” Many people wait for a great opportunity to do something for God. But holiness is built through ordinary faithfulness: a kind word, an honest day’s work, forgiveness offered, a prayer said with sincerity, a helping hand to a neighbour. These simple acts prepare us for the Lord’s coming.

Today, let us ask ourselves: If Christ came today, would He find me living with faith, compassion, and integrity? Would He find me awake to the needs of others? Let us not postpone our conversion. Every sunrise is God’s invitation to begin again. Every Eucharist strengthens us to be faithful servants. And every act of love prepares us to hear the master say: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Response: You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

October 19, 2026October 21, 2026

20 OCTOBER 2026

October 21, 2025 Gospel: Luke 12:35-38 Reflection: Vigilant and Faithful Servants

TUESDAY, TWENTY NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 2: 12-22; Ps 85: 9-14; Lk 12: 35-38

LIVING AS MEMBERS OF GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

As Christians, it is easy to forget the great gift we have received through Christ. We may become accustomed to our faith and overlook the profound change that God has worked in our lives. Today’s readings remind us that through Christ we have been brought near to God and called to live with watchful hearts, aware of His presence and ready for His coming. St. Paul speaks to believers who were once far from God, separated from the covenant and without hope. Yet through Christ, those who were distant have been brought near and reconciled. The barriers that once divided people have been broken down and a new unity has been created. Now believers are no longer strangers but members of God’s household, built together into a spiritual dwelling where God’s Spirit lives.

This beautiful image of being part of God’s household helps us understand the message of the Gospel. If we truly belong to God’s family, we must live with the awareness that the Lord is present and may come at any moment. Jesus calls His disciples to remain watchful and ready, like servants waiting for their master. The readiness He asks for is not fear but faithful attentiveness, living each day in a way worthy of those who belong to God. Since Christ has brought us into God’s household, we are called to live responsibly as members of that household. Our lives should reflect the unity, faithfulness, and hope that come from being part of God’s people.

Today the Church also remembers Paul of the Cross, who constantly reminded Christians to keep their hearts focused on Christ, especially on His saving love revealed in the Passion. He once said that the remembrance of Christ’s suffering keeps the soul attentive and faithful to God. Such remembrance helps believers remain spiritually awake. We are no longer distant from God; we belong to Him. When we remember that we are part of God’s household, our actions, choices, and attitudes naturally become more attentive to His presence. Living with this awareness helps us remain ready whenever the Lord comes to meet us.

Response: The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

October 18, 2026October 18, 2026

19 OCTOBER 2026

BELIEVER'S BOOTY – Grace for the Race

MONDAY, TWENTY NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 2: 1-10; Ps 100: 1-5; Lk 12: 13-21

When Jesus began His public ministry, He proclaimed the coming of a new era—the Kingdom of God, in which God would overcome the dominion of Satan and establish His reign among His people. Jesus presented this Kingdom as a hidden treasure and a precious pearl because it possesses a value far greater than anything the world can offer (Mt 13:44). To possess the Kingdom is to allow God to become the true treasure, security and meaning of our existence.

The Kingdom, however, is not an earthly empire or a visible reality established by human power. Jesus tells us that it is already present in our midst and within us (Lk 17:21). It begins when we turn to Christ and awaken to the truth of who we are before God: creatures who are weak, sinful and entirely dependent upon His mercy. This realization is not the fruit of our intelligence or achievement but of grace. When Christ becomes our treasure, our hearts gradually experience the freedom, peace and joy that the world cannot give.

Today’s Gospel exposes the foolishness of the rich man who seeks security and permanence in earthly possessions. His tragedy is not simply that he is rich, but that he mistakes temporary wealth for lasting security. Jesus reminds us that everything we accumulate belongs to this passing world, whereas He alone offers eternal life. Salvation, therefore, is not a reward for our achievements or human righteousness but a free gift received through Christ (Eph 2:8–9).

Yet grace is never sterile. As St Paul teaches, those who are made alive in Christ begin to live differently. The desires of the flesh are gradually crucified, while the Spirit produces in us a new way of living (Gal 5:19–22). Thus, the Christian life is a journey from spiritual death to new life. It is a life no longer centred on possession, status or self, but on Christ and loving service of others. The real question, then, is not what we possess, but what possesses our hearts. When Christ becomes our treasure, we discover the only wealth that leads to eternal life.

Response: The Lord made us, we belong to him.

October 17, 2026October 25, 2026

28 OCTOBER 2026

The Feast of Saints Simon and Jude – Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica

WEDNESDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Feast of Saints SIMON AND JUDE, Apostles

Eph 2: 19-22; Ps 19: 2-5; Lk 6: 12-16

WE BELONG TO GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

There are times when we feel like strangers; strangers in a place, strangers among people, or even strangers in our own lives and families. We may quietly carry the feeling that we do not belong. Today’s first reading gives us a beautiful message: in Christ, we are no longer strangers. We are members of God’s household. This is a simple truth, but it can change the way we live. God does not look at us as outsiders. He welcomes us as His own. He knows our story, our wounds, our failures, and our hopes, yet He still calls us His children. Nothing in our past is too broken for His love.

The reading also reminds us that we are being built together into a dwelling place for God. A house is made of many stones, and every stone has its place. In the same way, every person has a place in God’s family. No one is useless. No one is forgotten. Sometimes we may think that our small acts of love do not matter, but God uses them to build something beautiful. The saints Simon and Jude remind us that God can use ordinary people to become strong witnesses of His love. They were not called because they were perfect, but because they were willing to follow Jesus. Their lives became part of God’s living house. Perhaps today someone near us feels like an outsider. A kind word, a patient heart, a visit, or simply listening may help that person feel that they belong. We may never know how deeply a small act of love can touch another heart.

Let us also remember that we belong to God. When life becomes difficult and we feel alone, let us return to this truth: we have a home in Him. His love does not abandon us. Lord, thank You for making us part of Your family. Help us to welcome others as You have welcomed us. Make our hearts a place where others can experience Your kindness, peace, and love.

Response: Their message goes out through all the earth.

October 16, 2026October 25, 2026

27 OCTOBER 2026

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast - Luke 13 18-21 Sermon

TUESDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 5: 21-33; Ps 128: 1-5; Lk 13: 18-21

SMALL BEGINNINGS, GREAT GROWTH IN GOD’S KINGDOM

In today’s Gospel, the Kingdom of God is compared to a mustard seed and to yeast. Both are very small. They seem almost unimportant. Yet they bring about amazing growth. The tiny seed becomes a large tree. A little yeast makes the whole dough rise. Jesus teaches us that God often works through small and hidden beginnings. Many people dream of doing great things for God. They wait for the perfect opportunity. But Jesus invites us to begin with the little things: a kind word, a smile, a sincere prayer, a helping hand. These simple acts may look small, but God can use them to touch many lives.

The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that love grows through mutual respect and self-giving. St. Paul speaks about relationships built on love, sacrifice, and care. Such love is not created in one day. It grows through daily acts of patience, understanding, and forgiveness. Like the mustard seed, faithful love becomes strong over time. We often become discouraged because we do not see immediate results. We pray, but nothing seems to change. We try to do good, but our efforts appear unnoticed. Today’s Gospel encourages us not to lose heart. God is at work even when we cannot see it.

Many saints began with simple acts of faith. St. Therese of Lisieux believed that small acts of love, done with great love, please God. She did ordinary things with an extraordinary heart. Her hidden life became a light for the whole Church. Today, Jesus asks us to trust the power of small beginnings. We may not change the whole world in one day. But we can make a difference in one person’s life. Every act of love, every prayer, and every sacrifice offered to God becomes a seed that He will make grow.

Let us ask the Lord for the grace to be faithful in the little things. May we never underestimate small acts of love. With trust and patience, may we allow God to work through us so that His Kingdom may continue to grow in our hearts, our families, and our world.

Response: Blessed are those who fear the Lord.