From the responsorial psalm: "He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:11-19)

As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

Lepers see Jesus as he travels through Samaria and Galilee. The ten lepers remain at a distance and call out loudly to him, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" In a few words, Jesus heals them, saying, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As the lepers go, they are miraculously healed of their leprosy as they obey Jesus' command through their faith and action. But only one leper—a Samaritan, a foreigner—returns to thank Jesus, falling to his knees. Jesus says, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." Through his faith and gratitude, the leper receives complete healing in mind, body, and soul. As the day progresses, will there be time to stop and thank God for the work he accomplishes through us as we do his will.

God, let me consider the Gospel acclamation: "In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." I am sure that throughout the day I will experience what I believe are dark valleys, paths that appear to lead to no good end. Even in those circumstances, stir up in me the desire to take comfort in you, knowing you are present with your rod and your staff to guide and protect me. Keep me in your care, Lord. Give me the grace to give you thanks always for being at my side to give me courage as I move through every moment of the day. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

From the responsorial psalm: "Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 17:1-6)

"Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him."

Jesus recognizes the inevitability of sin. In the same breath, he warns the disciples of the dire consequences of causing "one of these little ones" to sin—that it would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and that he be tossed into the sea. Although we choose to sin through free will, our brothers and sisters and all of those around us can lead us into the temptation of sin, whether through counsel, command, consent, provocation, or praise. About these very same people, Jesus says, "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." Forgiveness calls for repentance from the offender countless times as they say sorry, yet this might never come to be. The Apostles on hearing this, perhaps recognizing the high bar Jesus places before them, ask him to increase their faith. And it only takes a little—faith the size of a mustard seed to be an instrument of God's mercy. Faith in the mercy of the Father allowed Jesus to say from the cross, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

God, help me dwell today on the Gospel and on the first reading. Saint Paul describes a blameless steward who is in service to you: "blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message." Arrogance, irritability, aggression, and other sins do not call for acceptance and approval but forgiveness for those who repent of them. Guide me Lord; make me blameless and a lover of goodness, holding fast to you in faith. Teach me to forgive even those who wound without knowing what they do. Saint Martin of Tours, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

From the responsorial psalm: "The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. Praise the Lord, my soul!"

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 12:38-44)

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Jesus warns the crowds of the scribes. They seek attention by the way they behave and dress, and they seek out places of honor in the marketplace and at banquets. And then Jesus says something else that seems to stand apart from the rest of what he says. He tells the crowds, "They devour the houses of widows and as a pretext recite lengthy prayers." As he sits down opposite the treasury, Jesus observes rich people putting in large amounts of money. Then a widow approaches and puts in two small coins worth a few cents. Jesus contrasts the action of the scribes who swallow up the property of healthy widows and lengthen their prayers in an attempt at restitution with the widow herself who gives out of her whole livelihood. The widow is an image and example of God's boundless generosity.

God, help me be generous today with the gifts you gave me first. In the first reading, the widow serves Elijah out of her extreme poverty. Yet, Elijah tells her, "Do not be afraid." In serving others, the widows in the first reading, the responsorial psalm, and the Gospel all receive new life from you who sustained them and raised them up. Throughout the day, guide me toward opportunities to meet someone in their poverty and be generous in your gift of mercy as you are generous to me. Lord, you give food to the hungry and set captives free!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.