Tuesday 23rd May

Peace I leave with you

Twenty-five years ago today, citizens on both sides of the Northern Ireland conflict agreed—by referendum—to honor the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, ending nearly 30 years of bloodshed that took the lives of more than 3,500 Catholics and Protestants. For his dogged commitment to the work of peace and reconciliation, Catholic politician John Hume was named co-recipient of the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize. Hume, who also received both the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Award—the only person ever to receive all three peace awards—said, “Bloodshed for political change prevents the only change that truly matters: in the human heart.” Pray for peace today, and consider reading the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter The Challenge of Peace, which turned 40 this month.

Today's readings: Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a

Wednesday 24th May

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us

Today marks the sad one-year anniversary of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Let us pray for the 21 people who died that day, including 19 children. Let us pray for their families. Let us pray for anyone who would ever entertain even the slightest thought of causing such devastation. Today is also the feast of Mary, Help of Christians—a good day to pray for an end to gun violence. Consider this prayer to Mary, which begins: “Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves under your motherly protection. Throughout the Church's history you have helped Christians in times of trial, temptation, and danger. Time and time again, you have proven to be the Refuge of sinners, the Hope of the hopeless, the Consoler of the afflicted, and the Comforter of the dying.”

Today's readings: Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19 

Thursday 25th May

Marching in unison

A doctor, a pope, and a mystic walked into a bar... no, actually, today’s trio of saints all lived at different times but landed on the same day in the liturgical calendar. Although the number of saints far outstrips the number of days in the year, each saint is assigned a date to be honored, usually the day of their death. Many saints remain obscure, but the many books, articles, traditions, and websites devoted to saints ensures that somewhere the faithful are taking note. That’s the point, to be inspired by saints to be saintly in our own lives in our own way.

Today's readings: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; John 17:20-26 

Friday 26th May

The saint with an inclusive perspective

We sometimes have a difficult time holding together opposites and contradictions. Either joy or sorrow, good or bad. But what would it be like to replace either/or with the humble conjunction and? And serves to connect things, to show relationship. Saint Philip Neri exemplifies someone who embraced the and. He was deeply committed to individual prayer devotions and to experiencing God at the heart of community. He encouraged people to faith and joy and to persevering in a struggling church. What either/or is becoming a both/and for you?

Today's readings: Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19

Saturday 27th May

Hang in there 

There are times in our lives when, facing adversity, we are tempted to throw in the towel, turn back, give up. Augustine of Canterbury, sent by Rome in 596 to evangelize Anglo Saxons in England, turned back after hearing of the dangers ahead. Persuaded by Pope Gregory to persevere, Augustine completed the mission. Though progress was slow and setbacks occurred, Augustine’s steadfastness paid off, and he is rightfully called the “Apostle to England.” Stay the course!

Today's readings: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; John 21:20-25