Tuesday 7th September

Creation needs your caring prayer

Jewish believers celebrate Rosh Hashanah today, marking the birthday of the universe—recalling how God placed Adam and Eve at the center of creation as faithful stewards. For many Christians, it’s also Day 7 in the Season of Creation. When the Catholic Church joined this observance in 2019, Pope Francis wrote: “In the silence of prayer, we can hear the symphony of creation calling us to abandon our self-centeredness in order to feel embraced by the tender love of the Father and to share with joy the gifts we have received.” Pray to become a more selfless steward of creation.

Today's readings: Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 6:12-19

“Jesus departed to the mountain to pray.”

Wednesday 8th September

Feast Of The Nativity Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

The birth of our salvation

In 431, bishops at the Council of Ephesus decreed Mary as Theotokos, a Greek word that means “God-bearer”—or, more commonly, “Mother of God.” Her birthday was celebrated at the beginning of the year—in Constantinople, the calendar began on September 1—because Mary’s birth is also the beginning of our salvation, through her son. “Be of good cheer,” wrote Saint Andrew of Crete, “this is the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin and of the renewal of the human race!” Honor Mary today by praying the Magnificat, also known as the “Ode of the Theotokos.”

Today's readings: Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 (636).

“From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old.”

Thursday 9th September

Memorial Of Peter Claver, Priest

Call it out

Saint Peter Claver (1580-1654) was a Jesuit priest dedicated to baptizing and serving enslaved Africans in Cartagena, Colombia, a major slavetrade port. While Claver was ahead of many of his peers in at least recognizing the humanity of Africans and poured out his life to alleviate the great suffering he encountered, we need to acknowledge that the colonial system that enslaved Africans was allowed to continue unabated for centuries without much church resistance. How can we and our communities of faith challenge the enduring legacy of racism today, inspired by Claver’s witness of service and the gospel mandate to love?



Today's readings: Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 6:27-38 (440).

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Friday 10th September

Because of you . . .

A 2014 study found that “young people with mentors, especially at-risk youth, have more positive visions of themselves and their futures, and they also achieve more positive outcomes in school, the workplace, and their communities.” The value of mentoring is nothing new. Proverbs 22:6 says: “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.” Whether you are teaching a practical or spiritual skill or a new technique or way of thinking, your instruction will have an impact. Take time to be a good mentor for the sake of the next generation and the greater glory of God.

Today's readings: 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14; Luke 6:39-42 (441).

“When fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.”

Saturday 11th September

Heaven help us all

The attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon happened 20 years ago today. We still carry the memory of that awful day, and we continue to remember in our prayers the victims of the attack and their families and loved ones who continue to mourn their great loss. We remember the passengers and crew of the aircraft destroyed in the attack as well as the victims on the ground. We remember especially the brave first responders who ran toward danger rather than away, many of whom gave away their health and lives to save others. And we pray for the terrorists as well, because we believe in the redemptive power of prayer and because hatred and vengeance have no place in our hearts. May all of humanity be redeemed.

Today's readings: 1 Timothy 1:15-17; Luke 6:43-49 (442).

“A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good