October 29, 2026

Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

 

Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that you are pure goodness and know what is best for me. Help me to surrender to your goodness as I reflect on your words. I humbly ask for the grace of docility in imitation of Mary.

Encountering Christ: 

1. Time Can Teach Docility: Jesus came in God’s name to gather the people to himself, but many were unwilling to approach him. He prophesied that the day would come when their perspective would change from resistance to proclaiming him blessed “who comes in the name of the Lord.” Time has a way of teaching and maturing us. With time we learn that we cannot achieve everything we thought we could on our own power. If we turn to Christ and persevere with him, we learn to surrender and become docile—willing to let him act for our benefit and through us for the benefit of those we love.

    

2. Not Thwarted: Jesus told the Pharisees that he would not be thwarted by Herod the fox from the mission to which the Father called him. He would continue to preach, heal, and suffer “today, tomorrow, and the following day.” What an example of fortitude and perseverance Jesus is to us. We also have the shining example of thousands of missionaries who traveled far from home to preach the Gospel in uncomfortable circumstances. So what stops us? What obstacles do we face completing the tasks Our Lord asks of us every day? By his grace, we want to say with Jesus, “I accomplish my purpose.”

    

3. Blessed Is He: We pray, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” at every Mass we attend. Jesus could have asked us to pray, “Blessed is he who cures the sick,” or “Blessed is he who died on the cross,” or “Blessed is he who rose from the dead,” but it seems as if Jesus wanted to be identified for all time as the Son who came in his Father’s name. Paramount to Jesus was the completion of his Father’s will, as signified by his last words from the cross, “It is finished.” How strongly do we identify with the will of the Father? Is God’s will our life’s guiding principle? Will we be remembered as someone who lived for God’s glory?

Conversing with Christ: Dear Lord, shine your light into my soul so that I can see nothing but your will there. I want to live for your glory, not for my own, but I need your grace. Bless me, Lord, so that, like you, I may one day say, “It is finished,” and hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will spend ten minutes before bed reflecting on how well I fulfilled your will.

For Further Reflection: Try the Daily Examen

Maribeth Harper celebrated paying the last tuition bill for her kids’ college by writing a book for parents who have college-aged young adults: A Spiritual Toolbox: Tips for Parenting through the First Year of College. She is a wife of over thirty-five years, mother of four, and grandmother of twelve and counting.