https://vocationnetwork.org/en/main/tf_rss Additional Take Five For Faith https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Are we free to make our own moral choices, or are our volitions and decisions predetermined? From Plato to Aristotle to Augustine to Aquinas and a host of deep thinkers from every field, the question of free will has been a central concern in determining the nature of being human. Catholic doctrine supports the theory of free will, asserting that human beings are basically good and naturally drawn to the good, but they are free to choose evil. Choosing the good becomes easier with practice. C... Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC This seems to be the human condition: We grow attached to behaviors and habits that are not good for us, and the more we indulge, the stronger the attachment grows. Addictions are a “prison,” said Pope Leo XIV in a recent address, “and we are all called to freedom. We seek peace and joy; we thirst for them. And many deceptions can delude and even imprison us in this quest.” Leo’s solution, echoing Jesus’, was to “look around,” and “read in... Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When we speak of “signs,” we mean that a sign will point us to something larger that we do not see. When Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread to feed a large crowd, he intended the loaves to be a sign of eternal life. But many in the crowd believed the bread to be just bread. And the fact that he could feed them all with five loaves was all the miracle they needed. It is good that their stomachs were filled, but Jesus was offering them—and us—so much more. Today try t... Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When was the last time you called a friend just to say hello? In our digital culture, spontaneous socializing and getting together “just to talk” often gets squeezed out. Yet it was in conversation on the road to Emmaus that the disciples made important discoveries about the meaning of Jesus’ life and mission. Their hearts “burned within them” as Jesus explained the mysteries of their faith to them. Conversation is an important path to discovery and growth. Make ... Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Theory can get in the way of practice, especially when it comes to our faith. “I don’t preach a social gospel; I preach the gospel, period,” Desmond Tutu said. “The gospel . . . is concerned for the whole person. When people were hungry, Jesus didn’t ask, ‘Now is that political or social?’ He said, ‘I will feed you.’ Because the good news to a hungry person is bread.” Perfecting the way that we live the gospel is the challenge of a l... Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In this post-Easter season we are invited to reflect on the intentions behind our actions. When our motives are pure, when they are truly selfless—in other words, when they come from God—then whatever we do will bear good fruit. If on the other hand our deeds stem from vanity, arrogance, or a desire for praise, then they will not bear good fruit, no matter how altruistic they may appear to others. Take a moment today to pray that your words and actions come from your inner being, ... Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Now that Lent is over, those who chose to give up social media or gossip may be finding themselves sucked back into the everyday world of bombast, news hype, and juicy tidbits. We are bombarded by mind-numbing, spirit-draining trivialities all day long; it is no wonder many of us slip into casual indifference about what is true, real, and worthy of our attention. Saint Thomas More warned us about this: “Occupy your minds with good thoughts, or the enemy will fill them with bad ones.&rdq... Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC God went to a whole lot of trouble to make the world we know and love. Think of how creation astonishes with its beauty: delicate lilies of the valley, the smell of a pine forest, starry nights, birdsong, your favorite color, the touch of velvet. Would God create so much gorgeous detail for a world that is merely disposable? In the same way, do we each struggle through our personal histories only to be lost in the end? God is in the saving business, intending to rescue the goodness of the old... Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC There is a folksy saying, attributed to many different ethnic groups, that goes: “Every baby is born with a loaf of bread under his arm.” In so many words, it means that God will provide, even if you’re not exactly sure how. It’s difficult to let go of worry in the face of uncertainty, whether it’s being able to care for a child or to handle any important responsibility. Your willingness to try, despite your fears, without knowing the outcome, shows faith. Trust ... Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Have you ever been asked if you are born again? Just what does that mean? It comes from the verse found in the Gospel of John that earlier versions of the Bible translated as “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John :). In modern translations in both the Catholic New American Bible and the Protestant New Revised Standard Version, the passage is translated as “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Whether you use... Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The church named the Sunday after Easter Divine Mercy Sunday to celebrate the devotion to the mercy of Jesus as revealed to Blessed Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who died in and was declared a saint in . God’s bountiful mercy to us calls us to show mercy as well. Saint Faustina prayed, “I want to be completely transformed into your mercy and to be your living reflection, O Lord. May . . . your unfathomable mercy pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.” Why ... Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC How do you finish a story like the gospel? Early writers had lots of ideas about where the story should end. Mark’s gospel, the first to be written, recorded three different endings in various ancient manuscripts. Although most early copies of Mark end at chapter , verse , some include an additional summarizing paragraph. And a few go on for more verses, the so-called “Longer Ending,” which includes the story of Mary Magdalene’s meeting with Jesus. The bottom lin... Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The poor apostles were lost without Jesus. Trained fishers, they couldn’t even catch any fish. In fact, we’re all lost without Jesus. He gave us the Good News that we’re the children of God and showed us how to live lives that reflect our holy heritage. The Orthodox Christians, who begin their Triduum observance today, also believe that “we are called to be saints and grow in the likeness of God,” according to their catechism. Like Roman Catholics, the Orthodox b... Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC There are those who preach a “prosperity gospel.” That is, they present the message of Jesus as meaning that if we just believe hard enough all our worldly problems will fade. We will be rich. We will be successful in the eyes of the world. We will be safe and secure. Yet, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, born a princess, asks, “How could I wear a crown of gold when my Lord wears a crown of thorns and he wears it for me?” Indeed, ours is a savior who shows us his wounds. Af... Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Easter week continues, and with it the church’s ongoing encounter with the risen Jesus. In the gospel story about the meeting of the two disciples with the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus, Jesus interprets scripture to the two disciples, then reveals himself in the breaking of the bread. It’s similar to what happens when we gather at Mass to hear the word proclaimed and brought to bear on our lives. Not only the word is broken open, of course, but also the bread, the Body of Chri... Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Happy are those who have not seen and have believed, Jesus once observed. He was talking about us. We weren’t there in that moment of history centuries ago when miracles occurred and dreams came true. We didn’t stand at the open mouth of the tomb where death lost its sting and eternal life had its astonishing victory. But with eyes of faith, we can still declare with Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” Amazing grace still operates all around us, within us, throu... Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC After he is raised from the dead, Jesus meets his disciples on a mountain in Galilee. According to scripture scholars this meeting place is significant because mountains are often where God and mortals meet: Moses got the Law on a mountain; Jesus gave his immortal sermon on a mount (at least in the Gospel of Matthew); and after his death, Jesus commissions his apostles on a mountain to: “Go, make disciples, and baptize.” Yet, as scripturally significant and awe-inspiring as mounta... Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today we are blessed to welcome a host of new Catholics who became part of the church at last night’s vigil. Whatever obstacles that stood in the way have been rolled away. These new Catholics have entered freely into our community of believers and have committed to be followers of the Way of Jesus. They bring new life and energy to our fellowship. What gets in the way of your believing more completely? The message of Easter is: In every moment, Christ lives. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today the church does two things. It waits and fasts at the tomb of Jesus. Then, when night falls, it celebrates the vigil of his Resurrection. Tonight, we keep vigil around the Easter fire, and as we wait, we tell the stories of how we got here—in particular, how God got us here. Jesus’ empty tomb unveils the deepest mysteries of faith and all we hope for as Christians. If you are able to participate in a vigil liturgy tonight, you’ll be standing on the holiest ground: the ... Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Sadder than the betrayal of a false friend is the denial of a true one. We might imagine that Judas had a false bottom in his heart: It’s the place where he kept his money. But Peter’s heart was full of genuine love and admiration for Jesus, so what went wrong in the courtyard of the high priest? Not bribery or a loss of faith, but something far simpler overcame Peter: fear. Many of us modern followers of Jesus might admit in an honest hour that fear is one of the greatest enemies... Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today begins the Triduum (Latin for “space of three days”), during which we celebrate the central mystery of our faith: Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. Jesus calls his disciples to do as he has done: namely, love and serve one another. But what does Jesus mean by service? For Jesus, service always involves humbling oneself for the sake of another’s salvation. Jesus washes his disciples’ feet so that they may come to understand what true discipleship is. Jesus ... Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC If you’re reading a suspenseful book or watching a scary movie, you can always tell when evil is about to intrude. In the moments of quiet before the unleashing of the stormy action, you’ll normally find telltale signs—a foreboding phrase or an ominous change in the music. Wednesday of Holy Week is the moment of quiet before the events of Jesus’ suffering, death, and Resurrection begin to rapidly unfold. The sign of what is to come is that Judas agrees to betray Jesus ... Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-04-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What can be said about Judas, the apostle who committed the ultimate betrayal in history, handing over Jesus to his executioners for money? Like the other apostles, Judas knew the Lord—indeed, he knew Him well enough to identify Him to the authorities. But what did Judas do with that knowledge? He chose to exploit it. Ironically, had he used his knowledge of Jesus for the good of others rather than for a few meager silver pieces, he would have been glorified. Instead, he died by his own... Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The last time we saw Martha and Mary together, they were weeping at the tomb of their brother, Lazarus. But now all three of them are having a dinner party for Jesus and the disciples at their home in Bethany. They do not know the religious authorities are planning to put Lazarus to death because his second chance at life is leading many to believe in Jesus. Nor do Martha, Mary, and Lazarus suspect that Jesus is about to be betrayed to those same authorities by one sitting at their table. Sha... Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In an interview after his release from captivity, Servite Father Lawrence Martin Jenco, one of the hostages held in Lebanon for days in the s, said that the prayers and psalms he had learned as a child gave him the greatest solace during a long incarceration filled with cruel and severe deprivations. Jesus found similar comfort during his torture and death. His last words from the cross, according to the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, were: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken m... Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Being human, it is likely we would sin every day. That is why we are encouraged, particularly during Lent, to renew ourselves daily. “This is what we do with houses, says Saint John Chrysostom, “we keep constantly repairing them as they wear old. You should do the same thing to yourself. Have you sinned today? Do not despair, do not despond, but renew your soul by repentance, and tears, and Confession, and by doing good things.” And the great doctor of the church adds, &ldqu... Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today is the last Friday before Holy Week and the last one before Good Friday. As the day of the week on which Jesus died, Fridays have had a special place in Christian tradition. There was a time when Catholics abstained from meat on every Friday, not only those in Lent, as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice. Another traditional Catholic practice associated with Friday is the Stations of the Cross. Every church has the series of shrines devoted to the Stations. Going from one to anoth... Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC As Christians we often take on new names at Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and marriage to mark entrance into a new phase of our faith life and discipleship. When God entered into a covenant with Abram and his descendants, Abram got a new name—Abraham—that signified the renewed relationship between God and God’s people. Simon became the Peter as Jesus called him to be his rock. Each Lent as we review and renew our relationship with God, perhaps we should consider giving... Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It’s not easy for us to explain why we hold certain people in special esteem above others. We have our favorites, and we don’t usually analyze it much beyond that. But if we did, we would probably find that we enjoy the person’s company because what they do pleases us. For these same reasons Mary found favor with God. She chose ways that were God’s ways. “Mary’s greatness,” says Pope Benedict XVI, “consists in the fact that she wants to magnify ... Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC At the end of every Mass, we hear some version of the words, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” This moment is not the end, it’s the beginning. We celebrate the Eucharist so that we might become for others what Jesus was for us—sustenance and life poured out for the good of all we meet. When we go forth “in his name,” we carry Jesus with us in a very real way, to our families, workplaces, and neighbors, and to strangers alike. Next time as Mass comes... Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC If you read the scripture for today, you’ll find two long and dramatic stories about the dangers of judging others. You’ll see the hazards of denying your conscience, bearing false witness, and having the attitudes of judgmentalism and self-righteousness. Believing in Jesus, on the other hand, and following him, leads to humility, honesty, integrity, and compassion. The next time you’re about to judge someone—talk down a friend, coworker, or member of your family, or g... Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Of the two sisters of Bethany, Mary is usually considered the “spiritual” one, and Martha is relegated to the category of “hostess with the mostest.” But after the death of their brother Lazarus, it is Martha who shows her spiritual mettle in her encounter with Jesus on the road. She gives her profession of faith with as much insight and certainty as does Peter when he was once asked by Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s response earns him the... Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Justice doesn’t come easy for most of us. That’s why Moses and company felt compelled to lay down the law, which continues to shape our modern understanding of justice. Consider the question Nicodemus poses in today’s gospel: “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” Our updated version of that is: One is innocent until proven guilty. How often we fall short of this precept. Think of detainees at refugee and detention ... Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Are you feeling a time crunch in your life? Many Americans report that they do, especially families with school-aged children. None of us can add breadth to the span of time available to us, but we can add depth to it by living more consciously aware of the grace of each moment. In the gospels this Lent we will hear how Jesus was keenly aware that “his hour” was drawing near. This is the hour of the greatest possible depth, when he freely gave his life so that faith could overcome... Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC A righteous man follows the laws of his religion yet allows mercy to guide his actions. That is why Joseph decided to divorce Mary quietly, so that she might avoid the harsh penalty for what seemed to be her infidelity. But true righteousness—God’s righteousness—goes beyond religious law and draws on the dictates of a well-formed conscience to discern a deeper response. This “third way” of compassion makes room for the mysterious work of God to bring forth fulfil... Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Catholics give up all kinds of things for Lent: cookies, drinking, cussing, not to mention meat on Fridays. They also try to find time for prayer and charitable works. Why do we do it? What purpose do these small, penitential acts serve? As dietary measures the impact on the scales is slight, and as behavioral correctives they don’t always “take” beyond the days. The main benefit, then, is strength training for the will. We have to learn to say no to the self, so that whe... Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus posed an intriguing question to one man who had been ailing for years: Do you want to be well? It appears as though the answer would be obvious. So why does Jesus even bother to ask before healing him? Perhaps because he knew how often we find it difficult to leave our own suffering. We cling to our suffering because we have grown so comfortable in it. Ailments can explain all our insufficiencies before God. But what would we cling to when those ailments have been cured? Muster the c... Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “Hear our prayer” is a common response to the Prayers of the Faithful. Though you may go to God humbly, sometimes you have a pretty good idea of what you want God to do; all that’s needed is for God to set your plan in motion. Yet faith requires not a well-thought-out solution but a willingness to give yourself over to God. "Surrender without reservation to the Lord who has called us,” says Saint Benedicta of the Cross. “This is required of us so that the face of... Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Did you ever go looking for your glasses when they were sitting right on top of your head? Or search everywhere for your car keys when they were lying on the table where you left them? There are times when we can look directly at something and not see it because we can’t believe it’s there. Take Jesus, for instance. We say we look for him and can’t find him. Yet the Bible says he is “near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans :). Christ is in you, wrap... Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque is best known for introducing the observance of nine First Fridays in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. But she also had some wise words about how to put humility into practice: “Be humble towards God and gentle with your neighbor. Judge and accuse no one but yourself, and ever excuse others. Speak of God always to praise and glorify him, speak of your neighbor only with respect—do not speak of yourself at all, either well or ill.” Her advice m... Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When Jesus is asked by a scribe to name the single most important Commandment, he answers by citing not one, but two Commandments: to love God and to love neighbor. The scribe agrees with the answer. All this might seem a bit odd to us—wasn’t Jesus supposed to pick just one Commandment? Perhaps the message here is that we can’t really separate these two Commandments from one another—they come as a unit. It is impossible to “love God with all your heart” if ... Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Sometimes we don’t know what hit us. Power comes into our lives and takes our breath away. Was this mighty attraction we just felt a good thing or a bad thing? Was that charismatic speaker who cast a spell over us an evil genius or a saint? It all depends on which direction the demons are headed, according to Jesus. The spirit of holiness is a liberating power, and the spirit of darkness one that constricts us. The freer you are to open your arms in love, the closer you are to God&rsquo... Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Think of all the relationships in your life: family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others. They don’t always go smoothly, but without them life would be pretty empty. Then think about God. God is a relationship, too: the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The whole story of scripture, the whole story of the church, tells of God calling creation, especially people, into community and communion with one another and with God. "Love God, serve God; everything is in that," says... Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In a women’s concentration camp in Nazi Germany, a prayer was found scrawled on a piece of wrapping paper. The anonymous writer commends to God “not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted on us. Remember the fruits borne of this suffering: the loyalty, the humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits wh... Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Often the people around us try to undermine our resolve to get physically and spiritually healthy. As we try to avoid addictive substances, find time for quiet contemplation, volunteer one night a week, or whatever we’ve committed to, others try to thwart us. Some loved ones may be worried that the measures we’re taking are too extreme; others may be suffering from the misery-loves-company syndrome—they choose not to get healthy and don’t want to be on that path alone.... Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today, catechumens experience the First Scrutiny, a ritual in which the whole church prays for them as they face squarely the power of evil and open themselves to Christ’s saving power. “Grant that these catechumens, who like the woman of Samaria, thirst for living water, may turn to the Lord as they hear his word and acknowledge the sins and weaknesses that weigh them down.” We who are already baptized should feel ourselves in the catechumens’ shoes and allow ourselve... Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC One of the hardest things our faith asks us to do is forgive others, especially when they have really hurt us. Shouldn’t I be angry, hold a grudge, and maybe even retaliate? Isn’t that what the person who hurt me deserves? Isn’t that what our current culture promotes? But Jesus calls us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us. He’s not asking us to be doormats, but he is asking us to stop the spiral of damage one hurt can cause when we return pain for p... Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Many times in scripture we hear of messengers being mistreated—beaten and killed or, in the case of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers. What is it about messengers that we are afraid of? It’s true that sometimes the message they carry is painful—at first. Yet the truth always has the potential to set us free. As these readings reveal, all types of people can be messengers. This Lent, be aware of the many messengers you encounter in the course of a day. Can you be open... Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Common Lenten practices include donations to the poor (which coincides nicely with spring cleaning) or service to those in need. In either case, if you’re debating on what to give away or just what you should do, consider this compelling insight from Saint Basil the Great: “The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of the naked; the shoes which you do not wear are the shoes of one who is barefoot; the money that ... Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The mother of the apostles James and John doted on her sons and demanded the best for them, the way most parents would. Yet she soon learns that sharing the glory of Jesus means sharing his sacrifice as well. We are not to “be served but to serve,” Jesus tells his disciples; not to grab for the brass ring but for the polishing cloth of a slave. Service and humility pave the path to greatness. “For leadership there is only one road: service,” says Pope Francis, “T... Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It’s not hard when you’re a parent to inflict authority on your children—and it can be the same with bosses, principals, pastors, and others in leadership roles. We don’t mean to do it; it just sort of happens. It’s the model for “being in charge” that we inherited. The problem is that it doesn’t seem to work. What if we turned it around and served the goodness that is already in our kids and others entrusted to our care? Praise for the good thi... Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The word alms literally means mercy, so we might think of our charitable giving as mercy in action. We give relief to the poor without conditions: Not because they have earned it, but simply because they need it and we have it. As Dorothy Day used to say, we cannot discriminate between the “deserving” and “undeserving” poor. In the same way, we are called upon to forgive those who cause offense or injury to us. We don’t forgive others because they have made thems... Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saint Peter’s idea at the Transfiguration charms us with its reasonableness. When blessed with the sturdy foundation of the law of Moses, the strong prophetic tradition of Elijah, and the kindly ministry of Jesus, why not build an institution that encompasses all three? Peter’s plan wasn’t faulty, because the church does honor all these roads to truth in its scripture. But Peter’s architectural model envisioned these men as leaders of equal merit. God, the voice that s... Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-03-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Love your enemy. It’s a simple statement. Clear. Concise. Direct. But oh, how it makes us squirm. Yet this commandment is the heart of Jesus’ message: love has no cut-off points. There is no end to loving. No time when we get to say, “Now you’ve done it. No more love for you.” Without God, unending love is impossible. It is only in God—living inside the mind and heart of God—that loving our enemies becomes possible and, indeed, the most natural way to... Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC While Lent is about being turned around and setting things right with God, it is not only a matter of regular churchgoing. In fact, Jesus says that offering a gift, a ritual sacrifice to God, definitely takes second place to being in right relationship with one another. Because, as Pope Francis says, "Outside of forgiveness there is no hope; outside of forgiveness there is no peace." Today’s a day of abstinence. Hunger pangs may be useful as physical reminders that we have fence-mending... Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Even those who rarely think of God know how to pray in case of emergency. We are readily moved to pray when someone we love is sick or in need, or when we ourselves are lost or scared. But is there a prayer for other times, when the immediate concern is not so pressing? The church recommends this formula: Pray first for the universal church and its leaders. Second, pray for the world and global concerns. Next, intercede for the sick, remember the dead, and pray for your faith community. And f... Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Just one week ago, each of us vowed to avoid temptations and distractions and turn our attention toward God. How’s it going? Remember change is a process—as one psychology professor put it: “It’s a marathon, not a -yard dash.” No doubt you still have many moments each day when you forget who loves you and who deserves your love. Don’t worry. The key is to not give up when you slip up. Remember the words of Saint Josemaría Escrivá: "A saint ... Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Think about the Lord’s Prayer and the words “who art in heaven.” Those words are not referring to heaven as a distant place. It is the place we can enter here and now. The “Our Father” reveals not so much where God is but who God is and how God acts. God is holy. God is in charge. God hears and responds to the needs of those who call for help. God offers forgiveness and shows us how to forgive. God does not abandon us to temptation but rather delivers us from the... Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In our Creed, we profess faith in “all that is seen and unseen.” The unseen is not only the parts of the created universe we’ve yet to discover but the Spirit’s workings we’ve yet to comprehend. Jesus tells us he can be found in the least of our brothers and sisters, yet most of us squint and strain and still find our vision blurred. Next time you pass one who is hungry and thirsty, try to see your father, mother, child, spouse, or friend in the face looking up a... Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Now is the time to become aware of your parish’s catechumens or candidates. Assure them that you are walking with them all through the season. At the Easter Vigil the assembly will witness their Baptism into the Lord. Make room in your daily prayer for these people who are taking significant steps to orient themselves toward the cross and Resurrection of Jesus. Ask them to pray for you. Let the joy of being a companion brighten your own journey as well as theirs. They are soon to be you... Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Adults try to help young people discern how to choose their friends wisely and be a good friend to others. We encourage them to associate with upstanding and trustworthy people. We pray that they will lead exemplary Christian lives, which—if they take Jesus’ words to heart—will mean that they’ll end up eating and drinking with sinners! But there’s a catch: Jesus neither joins in the sin nor judges the sinner. He merely extends an offer of peace to people who are ... Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Fasting and mercy go together, like meat and potatoes—or, because it’s the first Friday of Lent, coleslaw and deep-fried cod. “Mercy is to fasting as rain is to the Earth,” says Early Church Father Saint Peter Chrysologus. “However much you may cultivate your heart, clear the soil of your nature, root out vices, sow virtues, if you do not release the springs of mercy, your fasting will bear no fruit.” Who might benefit from your mercy during your Lenten fas... Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When Jesus asks us to take up our cross daily and follow him, he’s not saying we need to seek out maximum pain. But he is saying that we can and should embrace suffering that is inescapable or for a higher good, rather than trying to avoid it at all costs. “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring,” Saint Catherine of Siena reminds us. To take up our cross means to give our lives over to walking in the loving ways of God—a love which, as every Eucharist rem... Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It’s the beginning of a new season of Lent for those who believe. Lent traditionally takes on a penitential tone with somber purple color and the practice of fasting, prayer, and charitable giving. But we shouldn’t forget that Lent comes from the Old English word for “spring,” and in this sense it’s a sort of spiritual new year, a season of rebirth and renewal. “Lent is a time of grace, a time for conversion, a time to come home to God,” says Saint Ma... Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Being “hard of heart” might be the biblical equivalent of having a thick skull. And most of the time the disciples, God bless them, are guilty as charged. At many points in the gospel accounts they misunderstand, misinterpret, or otherwise mismanage the Good News Jesus is trying to communicate to them. They are therefore the perfect role models for all who have followed Jesus since then. The simplicity and clarity of notions such as “love one another” and “do unt... Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Generations still seek a sign. But often we look for signs in the wrong place and remain oblivious to the divine inklings all around us. “If there is anyone who is not enlightened by this sublime magnificence of created things," says Saint Bonaventure, “he is blind. If there is anyone who, seeing all these works of God, does not praise Him, he is dumb; if there is anyone who, from so many signs, cannot perceive God, that man is foolish.” Open your eyes and look around. When ... Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Breaking Bad, the highly acclaimed television series (-) in which a desperate and dying chemistry teacher decides to become a producer of methamphetamine to make sure his family is cared for, is a modern morality tale that illustrates the destruction and death that are the consequences of making wrong choices, or “breaking bad,” as it were. With each ill-conceived decision it becomes easier to make the next until you become so turned around that you completely lose your mora... Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC This is real love: two brothers dedicate their lives to serving a people not their own. Born in ninth-century Greece, Methodius was older and eventually attained the office of archbishop. Cyril, more philosophical, was a linguist and theologian. Both took on the evangelizing of Moravia. There, Cyril devised the Slavic alphabet developed by later disciples and called Cyrillic in his honor. Both brothers fought for Bibles and liturgy in the language of the people. Pope John Paul II declared Cyr... Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus performed many miracles but never did so by force. Neither would he coerce anyone to listen to him, much less to speak up on his behalf. If we choose to ignore the Good News in our own lives, we have the free will to do so. "He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent," says Saint Augustine. It’s up to us to say yes to faith, to say yes to the truth of God’s love. God would never force you to do so. Faith is freely given and freely exercised. Exer... Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Did Jesus think of his own mother as the Gentile woman with the sick daughter argued with him for a healing? Mothers (and fathers) don’t want to talk politics and policy when their children are in need. They just want help and they want it now. Such confrontations take place every day in schools, emergency rooms, and social service offices, as parents argue for the well-being of their little ones. “Yes,” they say, “I know your mission statement [or charter, or law] doe... Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC With the season of Lent and its practice of fasting arriving next week, it’s a little puzzling to remember that Jesus was a great breaker of fasts and violator of religious food rules—that was one thing that got him into trouble with the authorities. His followers gathered grain on the Sabbath because they were starving. He ate with sinners and outcasts. He simply did not follow the rules, but for a purpose: to show how the rules should not control but rather serve to bring a pers... Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saint Scholastica (c. -c. ), together with her brother Benedict, founded the Western monastic tradition. Benedict’s rule of life emphasized gentleness and respect, qualities that were evident in the close relationship between Scholastica and Benedict. After adopting monastic life, the two allowed themselves one day a year to visit each other. They would meet at a small cottage halfway between Scholastica’s convent and Benedict’s abbey. Their great contribution to Catho... Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Who gets healed in the gospels? Mostly it’s those who make some small act of faith in Jesus. Today’s gospel tells of all the people healed in body and spirit just by touching Jesus’ cloak. The gospel points to two elements of spiritual healing: willingness and connection. Before God can do anything for us, we must break out of the paralysis of despair and be willing to reach out. If we make just the slightest move toward God, amazing changes are possible. As Pope Francis exp... Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Twentieth-century writer Aldous Huxley said of love: “There isn’t any secret formula or method. You learn love by loving.” At every crossroad, at every bump in the road in your relationships with others, this is a simple truth to put into practice: Learn to love by loving; learn to forgive by forgiving. It isn’t any more complicated than that. The choice is yours. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Is the weekend a time to relax for you? Saturday will find some of us on the job, for sure—someone’s got to keep those stores, restaurants, and theatres open. But even those of us who don’t go into work will still keep plenty busy over the weekend, driving the kids around, catching up on laundry, getting groceries, and doing everything else put on hold from Monday to Friday. Jesus invites his friends to step aside and “come away” from all that once in a while to ... Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, is the best known among the martyrs who died in Japan in . As he died on a hill in Nagasaki he said, “After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.” Indeed, it did. Centuries later, missionaries returned to Japan to find thousands of Christians who had quietly preserved the faith underground until i... Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When facing challenges, we can turn to the saints for help. The church raises up women and men who are in solidarity with us, including saints who have experienced some of the same horrors that people today have. As we fight for human dignity and the protection of life, we can look to saints like Saint Agatha, who knew personally the terror of sexual assault and torture, or to Saint Josephine Bakhita, who was sold into slavery at the age of and eventually won her freedom and became a Canoss... Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “Well, who do they think they are?” neighbors wonder as they gossip about the behavior of other neighbors and make decisions like “they’ve grown too big for their britches.” In traditional societies—today and in the time of Jesus—such criticism tells people that the priorities of the community to fit in and get along are valued over priorities of the individual. But judging the personal lives of others can create conflict and cause jealousy. Indeed, &... Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Many stories of healing in scripture are of the miraculous variety; they’re “supernatural”—“above” nature—and on God’s power over everything, including natural things like illness. While such miracles seem rarer today, one of the keys to healing remains trust: in God, whether the outcome is an actual cure or the acceptance of one’s situation. Either way, suffering eases. “Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it,” says Sai... Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Like most parents, Mary and Joseph wanted the best for their child. They were faithful Jews and desired their son to be raised in the faith that had sustained them. They took Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated and presented to God, where they met Simeon and Anna, elders of the community. The elders immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel, a light to the whole world. What can you do this day to call forth the gifts of a child and encoura... Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The simplest way to think of humility may be “knowing one’s limitations.” Don’t be more—or less—than you are. For Christians, though, humility means something deeper than practicing a virtue; it’s a matter of putting others first, and “others” include God, people, and all of creation. The monk Thomas Merton wrote, “. . . The right of another . . . is the expression of God’s love and God’s will.” Why follow this craz... Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-02-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When we hear the word vocation, many of us think of ordained ministry or vowed religious life. Yet each of us has a unique calling that, if discerned and embraced, would make the best use of our gifts and talents. When we haven’t taken time to discover that call, our lives can feel less significant or effective than they were meant to be. In honor of Saint John Bosco (-), a pioneer in vocational training, take some time to ask yourself, “Who am I called to be?” A thoug... Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The tiny mustard seed adds flavor not only to many foods but also to a number of religious traditions. Jesus used the gospel parable of the mustard seed as a model for the reign of God. To teach humility, Jewish texts compared the knowable universe to the size of a mustard seed. And the Quran states that no soul will suffer the least injustice on the Day of Judgment because even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for on God’s scales of justice. Whenever you doubt that yo... Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Read just about any string of online “comments”—chances are if you’re a thoughtful person you won’t be able to get far—and you’ll quickly realize that many people don’t think much about what they say. In most virtual spaces, expressing opinions and feelings, no matter how shallow, uninformed, and irrelevant to the topic, is everything. So please note: Carelessness doesn’t fly when it comes to the gospel. Jesus wants his disciples to take t... Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The formidable thinking and writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Dominican theologian and doctor of the church, are still studied today, not only by Christian scholars but by secular philosophers as well. While Aquinas did refer to his massive and unfinished Summa Theologiae as “so much straw” when compared with what he came to discover in his relationship with Christ, he is nonetheless an important model for us today on the seemingly lost art of clear and logical thinking. We can al... Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus continually challenged his followers (and us) to think beyond rigid definitions and long-established rules. Angela Merici (-), founder of the Order of St. Ursula, was one who accepted this challenge. At a time when women were either supposed to marry or enter a convent, Angela understood that single women could live with their families, immerse themselves in their community, and evangelize through their good works. She considered the women who joined her mission her “daugh... Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “What is truth?” Pontius Pilate asked at Jesus’ trial. His question showed how little he understood of Jesus’ claim that “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” (John :). Today, people sometimes go to the opposite extreme and are a little too quick to call something, particularly their own ideas, the Truth. However, most of us recognize that truth has to do with something or someone we can trust and rely on. For Christians, God is the on... Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Do you feel different this year? What insights have you gained over the past months? In what ways have you changed? What areas in your life need your attention? You may feel like resting for a while. But remember, you can’t stand in one place indefinitely and be a disciple of Jesus. Christianity requires transformation and conversion, and these changes can take a lifetime. Invest in the resources (people, periodicals, books, and worship) that will serve as your walking shoes on your ... Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Many of Jesus’ relatives thought Jesus was out of his mind because of all the things he was saying and doing. Sixteen centuries later people thought Saints Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal were nuts for starting a religious order of sick and broken-down women who could not follow the more austere rules of religious life at the time. Yet together, like Mary at the Visitation, these women practiced “gentleness with a valiant spirit.” The Order of the Visitation has... Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC To what will you be called this day? Will it be to reconciliation and right relationship with a friend or coworker? To lead the way on a project using your gifts and a bit of inspiration from the Spirit? To lay aside your pride to help another person? To make someone smile? You may not see it coming, and you might not even realize it when it is happening, but throughout this day, indeed every day, you are called by God to bring about the gospel of Christ Jesus—to “do small things ... Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC While Christian unity comes to our attention each January, in the daily "culture wars" what divides people (including Christian from Christian) seems always more prominent. In the healthcare debate, for example, securing the noble goal of healthcare for all, including the poor and undocumented, sparks controversy and even belligerence. What of the borderless kingship of Christ? Christ's unconditional compassion is real only insofar as it is acted in our flesh. Unity among Christians will elud... Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Determining good and evil is rarely a simple affair. Saint Agnes refused to obey a Roman official and marry his son, so she was considered a defiant citizen, tortured and beheaded. Jesus healed on the Sabbath and so was considered a lawbreaker, tortured and hanged. Every age has its citizens and leaders who see things in black and white and stand ready to accuse any who would dare to admit to shades of gray when it comes to right and wrong. Be careful not to join their ranks. The world is fil... Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “We all want to live happily,” Saint Augustine wrote. “How is it, then, that I seek you, Lord?" For the answer, the Catechism of the Catholic Church advises: Look to the Beatitudes—a word that means “ultimate happiness” or “bliss”—in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus explains how to be comforted, shown mercy, filled, even to inherit the Earth and see God. Happiness doesn’t come from money or power or fame, as tempting as they might be, ... Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began in . The dates of the week were proposed by Father Paul Wattson, S.A., cofounder of the Graymoor Franciscan Friars. Popes Pius X blessed the concept and Benedict XV encouraged its observance. Protestant leaders in the mid-s also proposed an annual octave of prayer for unity. In , with the founding of the World Council of Churches, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity became increasingly recognized by different churches throughout the ... Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Gospel of John tells us that the Spirit came down and remained on Jesus. The wording is no accident. At one point or another, each of us likely has had a powerful spiritual experience, a genuine “moment of connection” with the divine. Without diminishing the beauty and significance of such experiences, a single “peak experience” does not a spiritual life make. It is the day-in, day-out commitment to practice one’s faith that will create a deeply rooted spirit... Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Few of us would take aloneness to the extent of Saint Anthony of the Desert, who spent much of his years in solitude. Stories of Anthony say he was besieged by all kinds of temptations in the desert night. At some level we know that silence forces us to confront the reality of who we are before God. But, as Saint Anthony explains, it is a worthy pursuit: “One who knows oneself, knows God . . . Therefore, my beloveds in the Lord, know yourselves.” Opening up at such depth is in... Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC There's a lot in life that can get us down. Sometimes they are things of our own making, and sometimes, well, it's life. It's not always easy to know what to do. We can stand still and try to figure it out, or we can backtrack to see what happened. At some point, however, it is time to move forward—to step out of what happened and to imagine something new. “Begin now,” says Saint Jerome, “to be what you will be hereafter.” Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were the trusted priests of the ancient temple in Shiloh. But they were stealing from the temple and committing immoral acts. As a result, the army of Israel was cursed and got hammered by the Philistines. Hophni and Phinehas were slain and the Philistines took the ark of God captive. It is a cautionary tale about the faithful’s need for good leaders. Pray for vocations, and very specifically for men and women to serve the Lord in truth and inte... Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC You don’t have to look very hard into Catholic tradition to find stories of supernatural appearances of Jesus, the saints, and especially Mary to believers through the centuries. These kinds of occurrences really go back to biblical times. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit “appeared” in the form of a dove at Jesus’ Baptism, Jesus himself appeared to his disciples after his Resurrection, and the risen Christ made a decisive personal intervention in the life of Saint ... Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Of all the lessons Jesus tried to teach us, the one that is perhaps hardest to believe—and therefore easiest to forget—is that we are all one. Jesus reminded us of this truth a number of times, most notably when he declared, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matt. :). Take a few minutes today to reflect on what life would be like if you knew, with as much certainty as you know your own name, that there... Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The tech industry would have us believe that the most important connections we make are virtual. While it's true that tech devices are useful in today's world, there remains the crucial connection with that still, small voice within our own hearts that no computer or phone can reach. That voice, which is God's, can only be heard in stillness: in the bare branches of trees against a winter sky, the quiet of new-fallen snow, the starry brilliance in a winter night sky, our breathing in and brea... Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In his birth (Christmas), his adoration by the Magi (Epiphany), and the coming of the Spirit upon him (Baptism of the Lord) Jesus is revealed to be the Son of God. These significant events in Jesus’ life are so closely tied that the Eastern Orthodox Church observes the coming of the Magi and the Lord’s Baptism on the same day. In the same way, our own births and Baptism signal that we are children of God and followers of Christ. As a new year begins, find ways to reconnect with yo... Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC If you came to Earth from outer space, the sheer amount of teaching on chastity—the virtue of expressing sexuality appropriately—would convince you that it’s the one non-negotiable item on your spiritual checklist. While chastity is essential, humility is the fundamental virtue upon which a holy life is based. Humility comes from the word humus, earth or ground. It reminds us that we’re dust—or “not the Christ,” as John the Baptist famously put it. As... Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Why, when Jesus heals a leper, does he always tell the person not to say anything to anybody? Perhaps it is because the Lord broke a rule there. You see, according to the law of Moses, he wasn’t supposed to touch the leper. But he did. Jesus broke a lot of rules. That’s why he got into so much trouble. But Jesus was concerned with following God’s laws, not humanity’s, and such obedience, as Saint Philip Neri says, “is a shortcut to perfection.” Jesus pointe... Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Did Jesus know how to read? You may think that a strange question—various scripture passages say he did, and how could he not be able to do something that most schoolchildren in the United States today have learned by the age of or ? But for most of recorded history, being able to read and write was reserved to a small, elite segment of society. In the Roman Empire at the time Jesus lived, estimates say that only - percent of the population was literate. Judaism has always emphasi... Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC How often have you walked down a street, looking down at the sidewalk or your phone, and not noticed a tree, or a sign, or even an entire building? When you finally notice it, you wonder how you could have missed it all this time. This phenomenon of not seeing what is right in front of us is not uncommon, nor is it limited to the physical realm. We are often blind to spiritual realities as well. When this happens, we know our hearts are “hardened.” What does it take to soften our ... Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC A prayer to André Bessette, a brother of the Holy Cross order who spent a lifetime counseling and praying for people from his desk at the entrance to his community’s residence in Montreal, says: “Grant us the grace to imitate his piety and charity so that, with him, we may share the reward promised to all those who care for their neighbor because of their love for you.” Love comes from God, and we love others because we love God and find God’s love in our love f... Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC At St. Alphonsus Church in downtown Baltimore you can visit the parish where Saint John Neumann served before he became a bishop. You can even step into his austere bedroom where a bed, tiny desk, kneeler, and picture of the Madonna make up his belongings. Simplicity was his obsession; becoming the bishop of Philadelphia certainly didn’t fit into that plan. Yet he embraced his office and took on the task of serving the burgeoning immigrant church by learning languages and doing what ... Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC America was once renowned as the land where people could come to breathe freely. The country was less settled then—but can feel quite crowded now, depending on where you’re living. The planet’s resources are scarcer and the natural environment more endangered. Still, Isaiah’s prophecy and the gospel both remind us of the considerable gift that migrant people bring with them. Whether king or commoner, each person offers what they have to make the dynamic community that ... Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the gospels the name of Jesus carries lots of weight. God gave Jesus his name, which means “salvation,” before Jesus was conceived. People healed in the name of Jesus. Jesus was present to those who gathered in his name. For his disciples their mission was to proclaim his name to all nations and bring the love of Christ to the world. Thus, living in the name said who you were, what you believed, and what you were to do. "Jesus is the way that you must walk, and the truth that y... Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In sin we reject part of our humanity—the humanity of the Garden of Eden, where there is no shame or guilt but an open acceptance of God’s love. Fortunately for us, God meets our rejection by continually offering to restore our humanity and share in his divinity. As Saint Basil the Great points out, “It did not suffice God merely to call us back to life, but he has also granted us the dignity of His Godhead.” The love God holds for us is so unchangeable it not only bri... Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In a world torn by hateful discourse, violence, and war, we have been given the Prince of Peace to show us how to live in harmony. God’s peace begins within us and then extends to our families, workplaces, schools, churches, marketplaces, and halls of government. We can begin spreading peace with a simple prayer, like the one found in the Book of Numbers: “The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly a... Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2026-01-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Just before midnight most people will be awake and anticipating the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. But when scripture talks about endings and beginnings, it means more than putting up a new calendar. The last hour means a new world is about to begin. God has done something new in Jesus. We are reborn to new life through him. “Consider all the past as nothing,” says Saint Francis de Sales, “and say, like David; ‘Now I begin to love my God.’”... Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “The world and its enticement are passing away.” These words from scripture evoke the dualism so much favored by certain New Testament writers, reflecting a mode of thought in which there continues a never-ending battle between good and evil, the world of darkness and the world of light. Christians believe that the battle is won, the world is redeemed. Yet anyone who has lived long enough knows that redeemed as “the world” may be, it is foolish to expect that worldly t... Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Russian composer Igor Stravinsky once wrote, “The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees one’s self.” It may sound paradoxical, but boundaries are necessary in life as well as in art. They provide a structure, a space in which we can most fully explore what it means to live and work and create. Far from restricting our freedom, limits actually give us our freedom. How is this so? Recall a time when you gave yourself unlimited time to finish a project. Did you? ... Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC On the walls of the North American headquarters of the Divine Word Missionaries there is a painting from China that depicts the Holy Family living as Chinese peasants. What’s especially interesting is that the painting shows them to be poor. In their small hut some paint is peeling from the walls, clothes are patched, and the table has seen better days. While Saint Joseph was probably not desperately poor, he and his family belonged to the vast majority of people who were outside the sm... Sun, 28 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When we receive a piece of news, often our first impulse is to think, “I can’t wait to tell ... !” We are social creatures, hardwired to live in community with other people, sharing our sorrows and our joys. Moreover, sharing has mathematical properties: It divides and multiplies. When we share bad news, our burden is lessened, and when we share good news, our happiness increases. Of course, the reverse is also true: When we don’t have someone with whom to share our st... Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saint Stephen’s Day, commemorating the first Christian martyr, is celebrated the day after Christmas, serving as a reminder that just as the naked cross looms above the empty tomb, so also its shadow falls across the crib—Jesus’ and our own. It is into human experience that the Christ is born, an experience that knows death, violence, and cruelty but a humanity also capable of love so true as to lay down life for a friend. Stephen was “filled with grace and power.&rdqu... Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today we celebrate the day God entered God’s own creation by becoming human. How can we authentically honor this day? One way is to notice and truly relish our own experience of being human. So often we hurry through the hours, heedless of the many sensations to be enjoyed. This Christmas may we wake up appreciating the delicious warmth of our beds, the sparkle of our decorations, the aroma of our holiday meals, the laughter of family and friends gathered, the words and music of Christm... Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It is no accident that scripture references the birth of John the Baptist on the day before we commemorate the birth of Jesus. John represents the culmination of Jewish prophetic hope for the Messiah, and his birth offers a fitting climax to the Advent season. John’s father, Zechariah, sings praises on the occasion of his son’s birth. Zechariah’s song, or canticle, is recited daily during the morning prayer of the church’s Liturgy of the Hours. It serves as a lovely cl... Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We end our observance of the O Antiphons today with praise for Emmanuel, our savior. “God is not distant: he is ‘Emmanuel,’ God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus,” proclaims Pope Benedict XVI in his Christmas address. “This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope.” The one who is to come satisfies all of our greatest longings. We need look no further. All our fretting and straining for... Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Remember when we were kids and we used to play king of the hill? It was an important part of our social learning that the strongest among us would dominate. The same game is played out in world politics as nations rise and fall. The story of Christmas reminds us that Jesus is the world’s only real superpower, though the nations play their games of supremacy for a time. History reduces all empires to dust, but the reign of God endures forever. “Christ has dominion over all creature... Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today we name the Messiah “O Radiant Dawn, Sun of Justice, Splendor of Eternal Light!” Anyone whose morning commute includes a sunrise or who has risen early to watch the sun come up knows why primitive peoples and even our oh-so-sophisticated selves find godliness in a sunrise. At the Easter Vigil we sang “May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning!” While Christmas lights have been shining for weeks, today we can think of them explicitly as a... Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Some years ago, Saint Teresa of Calcutta visited the neonatal intensive care unit of a Boston hospital. As she walked through the doors of the unit, the machines that usually hum and buzz and beep somehow stopped making noise, and every single baby fell silent. Mother Teresa stopped at each crib, spoke with the nurses and parents, had her picture taken holding a premature infant in the palm of her hand, and left. As the doors closed behind her, the usual cacophony of the unit resumed unabated... Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When it came time for the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king to replace Saul, God instructed Samuel to invite Jesse and his many sons to a sacrifice. When Jesse paraded his boys in review before the prophet, God told Samuel that not the oldest, the tallest, nor the most kingly looking were the leader God sought; the next king was to be David, the youngest and lowliest, whom Jesse left tending the flocks and did not even bother to bring along. “The Lord,” God says, “does not... Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The word righteousness may sound a little quaint these days, but the concept behind the word is central to an understanding of what God asks of us. The Hebrew word it corresponds to appears more than times in the Old Testament, and the Greek word it corresponds to more than times in the New Testament. Righteousness is chiefly concerned with ethical conduct: It implies faithfully keeping promises, treating people justly, and adhering to a high moral code. With justice of righteousness,... Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC These days before Christmas are a time of final preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. To mark this time the church prays the “O Antiphons.” An antiphon, from the Greek word for “responsively,” is a short prayer after psalms or biblical songs. They come up in the Liturgy of the Hours, but you also pray a kind of antiphon every Sunday: the psalm response between the first and second readings. We add the O Antiphons—so called because they all begin ... Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today begins the traditional Mexican festival of Las Posadas, a commemoration of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Customarily neighbors gather together in a procession led by a child in angel’s garb and statues of the Holy Family. Together they seek out shelter at three local houses, only to be accepted at the last, where the family hosts a celebration. Seeking to share the path of the Holy Family places one in the vulnerable position of begging entrance into ... Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Children and prophets see things others don’t. The prophet Balaam saw beyond the injustice of his own generation to a time when the nation would be led by a great king who would arise in Israel. We too are called to see with that same prophetic clarity—the clear-eyed wonder of a child who perceives hope where others see only hardship. Consider the hope that comes with a little baby born in a manger as Saint Alphonsus describes it: “Mary invites all, rich and poor, just and s... Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus to ask if he is the Messiah, Jesus doesn’t give them a direct answer but suggests they look at what they see and evaluate for themselves: The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. If someone as close to Jesus as John had to ask, we can forgive ourselves if at times we wonder about Jesus’ saving power in our own lives. Like the disciples of John, we’re challenged to figure out for ourselves by exam... Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC One quality that many saints share is the capacity to look beyond the sometimes horrific circumstances of their lives and see the presence of God. They see with their hearts. Saint Lucy is certainly among those saints with this ability. Tradition tells us that she was raped then tortured and murdered for being a Christian, but she remained steadfast in her faith until the end. Her feast day comes at a good time. Now, midway through Advent, we might be feeling the pressure to conjure up the &l... Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Artist J. Michael Walker produced his Virgin of Guadalupe series of paintings and sketches from -. One of the most memorable portraits in the series is Ironing, Thinking, where we see Mary with a slightly careworn expression on her face as she irons her famous cloak of stars while balancing her crown on her head with simple dignity. In trying to capture the spirit of Mexico on canvas, Walker said, “It is only natural that I should have fallen under the spell—along with mil... Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The pontificate of Damasus (-) occurred during a tumultuous period in the Early Church, with schisms and heresies on all sides. Perhaps Damasus’ greatest contribution was his insight that a standardized version of the Bible was desperately needed. In he commissioned a highly respected scholar named Jerome to revise the Bible into a more accurate and updated Latin version, working directly from the original Greek (New Testament) and Hebrew (Old Testament) versions. Saint Jerome... Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Asked what liturgical song most fostered and nourished their spiritual life, the majority of respondents in any given online poll will cite “On Eagle’s Wings” by Father Michael Joncas. The song, inspired by Isaiah’s prophecy and Psalm , contains the beautifully crafted refrain: “And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand.” Remember those words of sol... Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When Juan Diego (-) was canonized in , he became the first indigenous saint from the Americas. The farmer and mat weaver was in his s when Hernán Cortés led the conquest of Spain in , and within three years the first wave of Franciscan monks arrived near Juan’s village. Juan and his wife were among the first of the indigenous residents to accept Baptism. Despite their age, the couple opened their hearts to a new beginning and readily uprooted themselves t... Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What is grace? One way to think of it is anything that comes from God. We can think of it in terms of what we give to God: prayer and worship, service to others, doing God’s will. Or what God sends to us: the gift of creation, love, inspiration, consolation, help, and much more. Mary had grace in abundance—both what she gave and received. Make today a day of prayer to her to intercede for us and inspire us to give and receive God’s grace. Here is a simple prayer from Saint T... Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Advent can seem like a wintery Lent—purple decor, sober worship, scripture about the end times. While it is about focusing on our inner life, it’s not from the perspective of repentance but a passionate desire for God. Unfortunately, a quiet time like Advent is easily shouted down by the madness of a jump-started Christmas. Advent is not a to-do list; it’s a gift tied in purple velvet ribbon. Unwrap it—it’s “just what you always wanted!” Confront your... Sun, 07 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC As Jesus sent out the apostles after empowering them to proclaim God's kingdom and heal the sick, he admonished them not to charge for their services: "You received without payment; give without payment." As the nation struggles with difficult questions of effective, affordable, and universal healthcare, it is good to take a step back from the heat of the debate and look at larger principles. The U.S. Bishops recently stated in a letter to Congress: “We firmly believe that all people... Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC At First Sight is a movie that tells the true story of a blind man who, at the urging of a friend, undergoes experimental surgery to restore his sight. The operation is successful; his retina works and he can see. Or at least his eyes function. But he finds he must still finger objects to “know” what they are. He can “see” a cheese grater, for example, but he doesn’t know what it is until he has felt it with his hands. Seeing is a function of light striking the r... Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Historically speaking, the various deities revered by tribes and cultures around the world usually did little more than reinforce the position of those in power. From the Egyptians to the Aztecs, civilizations usually were led by a religious elite who controlled the resources, made the decisions, and “spoke for the gods.” That is what makes the testimony of the Jewish prophets so remarkable. They regularly took the rich and powerful to task while advocating for the poor and margin... Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC One of the founding members of the Jesuits, Saint Francis Xavier (-) is considered to have been one of the greatest missionaries since the apostles. Appointed to re-evangelize portions of the Far East, Francis placed himself with the lowest castes, preaching to the sick and dying at hospitals and orphans and slaves in the street. He understood that if the fire of Christianity were to spread through the East, the kindling must begin at the base of society. Rather than arriving like a roy... Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC ’Tis the season when scenes of peace and serenity start arriving in our mailboxes daily. Every Christmas card is a bid for a more hopeful world. A star shines against the darkness of a fearful nation. A child is born into a culture sadly given over to ways of death and destruction. Wild animals learn to live together as people never do. Even Saint Nick brings gifts through a spirit of generosity as wide as his belly. This year let’s bring those Christmas scenes to life, so that, i... Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC To become a Roman centurion, a soldier had to be literate, come highly recommended, be at least years of age, and have already served some time in the Roman army. This was no cushy job. Centurions suffered heavy casualties in battle because they led their “century” of troops from the front. However, their brave example inspired courage in the soldiers who followed behind them. One well-known centurion also became an inspiration of faith for centuries of Christians when he asks ... Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-12-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It may seem strange to talk about Christ’s Second Coming when we’re just starting to prepare for the celebration of his first. But that’s exactly what the scripture readings for the first two Sundays of Advent do; it’s not until the third and fourth Sundays that we get to the Incarnation part. “You . . . must be prepared,” we hear, “for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” What gives? Why speak of the End at the Beginning? Be... Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC There’s that part of the Mass during the “Our Father” when the priest says, “… As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Does it ever occur to us that the “coming of our Savior” could mean the moment when we die? When our mortal lives end and our world passes away, all that will be left is the eternal, the ever-presence of God. If we live as though there is only this present life, then the Lord’s coming will c... Sat, 29 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Every age has its own particular mindset through which the people view their world. Our st-century perspective could be called “scientific.” Whatever we can see with our eyes and measure with our instruments, we believe. Eight hundred years ago the prevailing attitude was “wonder.” In the Middle Ages all of creation was viewed as a symbol. It was a book in which every living thing was a word charged with meaning. The faithful were called to look through the visible t... Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Despite the rosy-colored rendition in childhood schoolbooks, not all was peaceful among the first settlers of Plymouth Colony. The passengers aboard the Mayflower were divided into camps based on differences over religion. Knowing they would face a test of survival upon landing, the rival groups were able to patch things up well enough by signing the Mayflower Compact in and adopting a common identity as Pilgrims. A year later they gave thanks to God and the Wampanoag people for helping ... Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Numbered, weighed, and divided: That’s how God intends to deal with the assets of the unjust in the day of judgment, according to the Book of Daniel. But you can ward off a similar fate by numbering, weighing, and dividing your own resources in the direction of the common good. Almsgiving isn’t only for Lent but can be a useful way to keep your heart open to the disadvantaged every week of the year. “The person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction... Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We’re nearing the end of the liturgical year, so a fair number of lectionary scripture passages this month urge us to see with the eyes of faith. We are to look beyond what is right in front of us and know this: What we see with our eyes and hear with our ears is only part of reality—and not necessarily the most interesting or important part at that. Storms may come, but they are not what we should give our attention to. “The important thing,” says Saint Teresa of &Aac... Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Vietnam has had a thriving Catholic faith rooted there since the th century, a faith so strong that it produced Vietnamese martyrs whom we remember today, all beatified and canonized between and . In three American archbishops visited that country and said upon their return that in spite of the horrors of the war “the church in Vietnam is alive and vigorous . . . living out the gospel in a difficult and complex situation with remarkable persistence and strength.&rdqu... Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Power seems cool to possess—from a distance. You can do anything with enough of it: Order people around; get your way; make money, squander it, and get more. Those with worldly power are seemingly invincible—every comfort, security, and cure is theirs for the taking. That’s why the crowds around the cross mock Jesus as a phony. If he really had juice, why is he hanging up there? What they failed to appreciate is the divine use of authority: not for self-preservation, but pou... Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Legend has it that Saint Cecilia (d. ) wanted to dedicate her life to Christ as a virgin, but her parents married her to a Roman nobleman. She eventually converted her husband, Valerian, and his brother to Christianity by her belief in angels. “There is an angel who watches over me,” she is said to have told her husband. When he asked to see the angel, Cecilia replied that he must be baptized first. Once baptized, Valerian witnessed an angel holding crowns of roses and lilies w... Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC While not recorded in the Bible, this day celebrates God’s choice of Mary to play a role in salvation history and her presentation at the Temple as a child to be offered to God. Francis of Assisi celebrated Mary with his “Salutation of the Virgin,” which includes these lovely acclamations of Mary: “Hail, O Lady, Holy Queen, God’s Holy Mother Mary! You have been made the Virgin Church and chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven./ You has he consecrated with His m... Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Gone on a retreat lately? Most areas have places to make retreats, often run by religious orders or dioceses. Retreats come in all shapes and sizes: individual or group, programmed or unstructured, a day or a week. You can use them to get back in touch with what's most important spiritually or just to get some rest. Going on a retreat, though, doesn't have to mean blocking out time, making a reservation, and hitting the road. One retreat you can always make is in the silence of your heart. "F... Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Womanly is a word that too often has been used by our culture to suggest weakness or inadequacy. Worse, these negative connotations can sometimes lead to derision and oppression. Phrases such as “throws like a girl,” though harmless-sounding, reflect this negativity. Yet when we look at the women around us, in the Bible, and in our Catholic tradition, we find women who exhibit a womanliness that is synonymous with courage, strength, boldness, and savvy. They have led countries, bu... Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Zacchaeus the tax collector is the only person in the gospels who has their height mentioned. But in the end, it is not for his smallness that Zacchaeus is remembered but the bigness, the boldness, and the determination of his desire to see Jesus and turn his life around. Doubtless Mr. Z.’s antics in climbing a tree got Jesus’ attention, but what was really impressive was that desire for faith, so stunning that Jesus invites himself to the tax collector’s house for dinner, b... Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Not too many princesses looked beyond the walls of their palaces to notice the poor—the people who more than likely made up most of their realm. But Elizabeth of Hungary did. Married in to Louis of Thuringia, a pious husband, she lived simply and devoted herself to works of mercy even though she was the wife of a ruler. After the death of her husband in battle, she left court, arranged for the care of her three children, and associated herself with the Franciscans. She established ... Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC If you pay attention to the news, it wouldn’t be too much to think the world is going to you-know-where in a handbasket. Violence, crime, corruption, illness, poverty, ignorance, and plain old self-centeredness seem to rule the day. In Jesus’ time some said those kinds of things were signs of the end of the world. Christ himself knew the list: “powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place.” But he also urged caution: “When you hear of wars and i... Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC As scientists probe ever more deeply into the mysteries of life, some people of faith feel threatened by the new terrain being traversed. But rather than retreat from the field, believers do well to bring their faith and ethics to the dialogue. We can turn to Saint Albert the Great (/-) for inspiration. Albert was a Dominican friar and priest famous for his advocacy of the peaceful coexistence of science and religion. Tutor to Saint Thomas Aquinas, Albert brought Aristotle out of th... Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Old cathedrals preserve images of a sea of flames in which men and women are paying the penalty for their dissolute living. Replace the word “penalty” with “preparation,” and the idea of a “place” where souls are sent with the concept of a “process.” That comes closer to how the church speaks of purgatory today. Purgatory is a process whereby each soul is prepared for glory. If God is Love, then anything unloving or unyielding in our spirits mus... Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The word kingdom, found in the frequently used New Testament phrase “kingdom of God,” comes from the Greek basileia, meaning “kingdom,” “reign,” or most literally “foundation.” Jesus laid God’s foundation among us, and Christians continue to build on that foundation through lives of love and service. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (-) desired to build her life on Christ: “Convert me, Jesus,” she wrote in her diary, &ldquo... Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus asks a good question in the story about the lepers he cleansed after only one returned to offer thanks: Where were the other nine? We can only imagine they were off doing exactly what Jesus told them to do: showing themselves to the priests, a Jewish ritual prescribed for the healing of leprosy. The tenth man, a Samaritan, wasn’t bound by Jewish law. So he was free to return and thank the Lord. When it comes to leading a virtuous life, it’s always a safe bet to follow the... Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC If conscientious objectors had a patron saint, it would be Saint Martin of Tours (/-). Though Martin was born into a military family and named after Mars, the god of war, his conversion to Christianity led him to renounce military service and dedicate his life to the gospel. “I am a soldier of Christ,” he said. “I cannot fight.” Such a decision, then and now, is never easy for a soldier to make and, depending on the time or place, could lead to imprisonment (a... Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It’s easy to fall into the habit of blaming others when things go wrong. But Jesus challenges us to take responsibility for our own actions. At the same time, Jesus calls us to hold each other accountable: “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke :). There’s a tension here—justice and mercy—but they go hand in hand. For Saint Augustine forgiveness is a great gift we can give to others and ourselves: “There are many k... Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC How often, when we speak of church, we have to clarify whether we mean the faith community or the building where that community gathers. The fact that the memorial of the dedication of the Church of St. John Lateran today replaces even the Sunday liturgy reminds us that our faith reaches into the clay from which we are made. We celebrate this building—the pope’s own cathedral, the mother of all churches—remembering that human beings need things that appeal to the senses to r... Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Gospel of Luke often treats money with suspicion, likely because of how easily it can be accumulated and used to exploit others. But not entirely. As Saint John Chrysostom instructs: “Wealth and poverty are neither good nor evil in themselves. They become either good or evil from the will of those who use them.” Every Christian must ask themselves how they value money. Is it your master? Or is God your master? “If you use your wealth for the purposes of philanthropy,&rdq... Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We humans are hard-wired to focus our attention on the object in front of us: the oncoming car, the apples we are slicing for pie, the words on a page. Yet also worthy of our notice is the space between those things, which is captured in the German term Zwischenraum. Zwischenraum refers to the interval between objects or concepts: the gaps between the pickets of a fence, the bare branches of a winter tree, the pauses in music or conversation. These spaces often go unnoticed, yet they are esse... Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Scripture speaks of the rejoicing that goes on in heaven when a lost soul is found. Apparently, God does not like to lose. As Pope Francis put it: “God is not a good loser.” God will search for us. “God has a certain loving weakness for those who are furthest away, who are lost,” says Francis, who goes on to say in a sermon that when God brings the lost sheep back to the fold, we shouldn’t say, "you are lost," but rather that "you are one of us," because thi... Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When Jesus talks about being his disciple, he warns us that the road will be difficult and rocky. Instead of looking at Christ’s words in a negative way, consider what is driving you toward discipleship in the first place. As Saint John Paul II explains: “It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to... Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC As the Council of Trent tried to reform questionable practices in the church, Borromeo believed that if laypeople were being asked to uphold a higher moral standard, clergy needed to set the example and renew their apostolic spirit. He gave generously from church wealth to charity, and during the plague and famine that struck Milan in , while civil authorities fled and to the detriment of his own health, Borromeo stayed and ministered to the sick and dying, borrowing large sums of money t... Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the neighborhood lives an elderly man who’s had a record five strokes. Each has taken a little piece of his ability and freedom away. He gets along with a small army of friends and assistants who come in a few hours at a time to care for him. But the one thing he really wants is to for someone to take him out to lunch. No one wants that responsibility. The inconvenience of lifting a disabled fellow in and out of a car seems too great. When Jesus throws a banquet, however, folks like ... Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When we pray the Hail Mary, we ask for the help of Mary our Mother at two crucial moments of our lives: “now, and at the hour of our death.” Now is an important occasion because it is the time of decision. The hour of our death is critical because it’s the last moment over which we exercise our will. When we pray for the dead, today and every day, we come to the spiritual assistance of those who can no longer help themselves. We can rest assured that one day the church will ... Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saints come from everywhere—small towns and big cities, local neighborhoods and faraway lands. They are men and women, old and young, laborers and professionals, humble folk and royalty. They wear medical uniforms, bishop miters, religious habits, worker shirts, farmer overalls, and beggar rags. They are the blessed of the gospel Beatitudes, a word from the old Latin that means “happy.” One of them could be reading this page right now. It all depends on how blessedly happy y... Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-11-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Despite his differences with the Pharisees, Jesus never stopped interacting with them, even going so far as to dine with them. And if they were not particularly open to his message, they at least were impressed enough to share a meal with him and hear him out. In an age where public differences of opinion, played out in front of the ever-present media, seem to descend to the level of insult and demonization, consider breaking bread with someone with whom you disagree. Though you will not sett... Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC For those times when God seems distant or absent, when people move through their day and don’t see signs of God anywhere, it’s easy to forget that God is behind it all. Yet even a world that feels more haunted rather than filled with God’s presence is still beloved creation—the expression of God’s overflowing love. A number of spiritual masters have suggested the practice of seeing God in all things. After all, if God really did create everything, it must be poss... Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus speaks of entering salvation through the “narrow door.” Other translations refer to it as the “narrow gate.” Walled portions of Jerusalem contained some gates that were so narrow it was said a person would have trouble passing through them carrying much with them. Perhaps this image can help us consider why the path to salvation involves a narrow passage—we can’t carry anything with us to the other side; it’s only us, shorn of our props and poss... Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Zealots, of which the apostle Simon was a member, were the radical and militant resistance to the Roman military occupation of Palestine in the first century. Today we would call them insurgents. Though Jude likely did not belong to the Zealots, the devotion that bears his name today is one of the most zealously fervent in the church. Both Simon and Jude, then, join with us in fighting against the oppression that would take away our hope. To that end we are invited to join our resources w... Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The synagogue leaders, upon seeing Jesus raise up a woman bent in two by years of infirmity, were indignant that Jesus had done this astonishing, good thing on the Sabbath, a day when it was forbidden to work. It seems that those who choose external compliance over compassion are more bent over—bent in upon themselves—than the woman whom Jesus bids, “Stand up.” Being a stand-up person sometimes means going against convention, expectation, and even laws. Choose a loving... Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “Do you know who I am?” That’s the question maître d’s, hotel clerks, even arresting officers occasionally receive from the celebrated and powerful among us whose sense of privilege and entitlement gets the best of them. Contrast that with the question Jesus asks his disciples about the word on the street, “Who do they say I am?” When they answer, “The Messiah,” Jesus swears them to silence. In the words of the th-century monk Thomas Mer... Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC One of the choices life offers is whether to let God be part of your life. Of course, God is always present, within you and around you, but you can choose to ignore, shut out, or pretend God isn’t there. Saint Paul called this “I don’t need God attitude” living in “the flesh” and believed this illusion of self-sufficiency hid the road to death. Openness to the divine, though—to the power and Spirit of Christ—guides you to life in God. “If ... Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We’re used to thinking about God as “hidden” or invisible, requiring an effort to perceive in the world around us, and one whom we will know fully only when we die. After all, doesn’t Saint Paul say, “Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face”? But it’s also true that signs of God, as Jesus said, lie everywhere and are as obvious as a cloud bringing rain or a hot wind promising warm weather. So be a meteorologist for God. The si... Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus shocks his disciples—and many of us as well, no doubt—when he declares that he came not to establish peace but rather division, to “set the earth on fire.” What kind of fire did he have in mind? Fire in biblical times was associated with God’s action in the world and the lives of people. Jesus is using strong language to impress upon us the importance of taking responsibility for our spiritual growth. Do our relationships, choices, lifestyles, and loyalties... Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC On the back of countless trucks on our highways appears the curious inquiry: “How is my driving?” The accompanying number to call invites our critique. What if we all came equipped with signs inviting the moral critique of those around us? We might be surprised and not at all pleased with the feedback. Thankfully, Christianity doesn’t rely on external judgment; Jesus even warned against judging others. But we are encouraged to perform our own regular examination of conscienc... Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Waiting is among the greatest spiritual challenges a believer faces. Twentieth-century French philosopher and Jesuit priest Pierre Teilard de Chardin, whose visionary writings were not always well received in certain Catholic circles, knew what it meant to wait. It wasn’t until several decades after his death that the church fully embraced his theological insights. His prayer “Patient Trust,” borne out of his own trials, continues to offer hope for those who wait: “Abo... Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jealously guarding our time can be considered a form of greed. We receive from God the gift of /; we need to give some of it away. That's why this week we observe Pastoral Care Week, sponsored by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. This week was established to recognize the many ways church professionals respond with attentive listening to those with physical, emotional, or spiritual concerns. Hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, and your local parish will accept volunteers who w... Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “Sometimes I get so mad at God,” one woman told the priest, “that I’d like to punch him right in the nose!” Yikes! It sounds irreverent, but that’s exactly what Jesus is saying in an amusing parable about a widow and a judge. The judge renders a decision for the widow because he fears the woman will strike him! If that’s true for a worldly judge, Jesus says, how much more will the Judge of All be quick to answer a prayer. Faith, then, is waiting in jo... Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today we celebrate Saint Luke, author of the Acts of the Apostles as well as the gospel that bears his name. Thanks to Luke we have an original, compelling portrait of Jesus, our Messiah, the master who emphasized the importance of prayer and who cared deeply for women and the poor, the outcast, the ill, and the lowly. Luke is the only one of the four evangelists whose stated purpose in writing his gospel is so that others would be assured of the truth of what they’ve already learned. H... Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Ignatius of Antioch (c. -) is one of the apostolic fathers of the church, a small group of Christian authors who lived close to the time of Jesus and had personal contact with some of the apostles. It is said that Saint Peter himself appointed Ignatius to be bishop of Antioch. Tradition also has it that as a young child Ignatius had been one of the children Jesus took in his arms and blessed (Matthew :-). Whether or not historically true, this story signals something each of us ... Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It helps to know things will work out before you get started on them. Paying bills is easy when you know the money is there. Getting something fixed is a less anxious experience when you have confidence in the repair person. So it is with the spiritual life. In all the apparent struggle to believe, live a holy life, and do the right thing, we can forget how much God has already done for us. And Saint Paul makes this point many times. We are already blessed. We already have redemption in Chris... Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Ever wonder whether you are in good spiritual health? It’s easy to assess: If love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control come easily to you, you’re in good shape. If hatred, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, and envy are your frequent reactions to events, you’re in need of a spiritual workout. Let Saint Teresa of Ávila (-), reformer and church doctor, be your spiritual trainer. Step one: ... Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Pharisees may have gotten a bit of a bum rap in the New Testament because of events that occurred after Jesus’ death. The passages of the New Testament that are most hostile to the Pharisees were compiled at a time when it had become clear that most Jews did not consider Jesus to be the Messiah. The Pharisees may have served as a convenient scapegoat for that rejection. The Pharisaic tradition was in fact more flexible on many questions than it was portrayed to be. It does us well t... Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When in Luke’s gospel Jesus uses the phrase the "sign of Jonah,” most of us would think of the whale. But Jesus has something else in mind. Jonah had been a prophet sent by God to convert the pagan city of Nineveh—a job Jonah didn’t want. But when he finally buckled down and did what God asked, the people—much to Jonah’s astonishment—converted! So for Jesus the “sign of Jonah” recalls the Ninevites’ acceptance of God’s word thr... Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Whether Jesus was speaking to a woman who had anointed him in a Pharisee’s house, another woman whom he had cured of a hemorrhage, or a leper whom he’d cleansed, his closing words were much the same: “Your faith has saved you.” Believing in Jesus’ power to heal had opened the door to healing. Some versions of the Bible, though, translate this phrase a little differently: “Your faith has made you well.” To be “saved,” then, can mean to be m... Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC One day a female follower of Jesus, apparently touched by his words, was moved to shout out a blessing on him: “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed,” perhaps wishing that she herself should have such a son. Yet Jesus demurs and turns the blessing back upon her and all like her. While Jesus’ mother and her womb are indeed blessed as we pray in the “Hail Mary,” Jesus takes even greater delight in those of either gender who allow... Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Demons can make for great supernatural thrillers in the entertainment world, but they can also wreak havoc on our lives. We bump into them all the time—an unkind word, a sense of entitlement, a disparaging attitude toward ourselves or others. Our demons may not be the apocalyptic creatures of The Walking Dead or the latest “survival horror” video game, but they are very real and very deadly nonetheless. They can rob us of our conscience, of our God-given capacity to move tow... Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Most of us who have children and all of us who were once children carry some regrets about the whole parenting process. Even the most devoted parents fall short. The good news is that love covers a multitude of flaws. When children know they are truly loved, they can forgive much. As Saint John Chrysostom advises, “If from the beginning we teach children to love true wisdom, they will have greater wealth and glory than riches can provide.” Parenting will never be perfect, but love... Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Think about the Lord’s Prayer: It sounds as if it’s mostly about what God does, but it’s just as much—maybe more—about what we are to do. “Hallowed by your name, your kingdom come” is not only praise of God but also a prayer for God’s name to be known and God’s kingdom to be fulfilled on Earth—both of which involve our cooperation. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those indebted to us” reminds us of the uncomfortable tr... Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We all know the gospel story of Martha and her sister Mary of Bethany. During a visit from their friend Jesus, Martha got a little steamed because she was stuck with the cooking and serving while Mary got to sit at the Master’s feet and listen to his words. Like many an aggrieved sibling before and since, she took her gripe to a higher authority, in this case Christ himself: “Tell her to help me.” But note: Jesus responded with neither condemnation nor praise. He merely said... Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Who is my neighbor? A man learned in Israelite law posed this question to Jesus. He asked neither what a neighbor was, nor how to treat a neighbor. The law had taught him that much. Rather he sought to know whom he needed to love. “Love thy neighbor” is a rule easy to understand and accept intellectually. Yet when we are face to face with other people, we are much more prone to excuse ourselves from this obligation. Thus, the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote: “It&rsq... Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Time is one of the great mysteries of the human experience. It has many qualities and dimensions. There is the inexorable, relentless public time of clocks and calendars, schedules, and appointments. Then there is private time, the internal time of our thoughts and experiences. This kind of time is unique to each individual and, like a bird, alternates between flight and perching. When we are doing something we love or spending time with someone we care about, the minutes slow down and we exp... Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC If Saint Francis of Assisi knew that his band of brother-beggars would one day be called Franciscans, he’d probably laugh, or sigh. He never set himself up as a model. Indeed, he admonished his brothers: “We ought to be ashamed of ourselves; the saints endured but we who are servants of God try to win honor and glory by recounting and making known what they have done.” Good deeds are ours to do, according to Francis. At the end of his life, he made that point abundantly clea... Sat, 04 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The biblical towns of Tyre and Sidon might bring to mind some modern-day big cities: prosperous, bustling, cosmopolitan—and spiritually hungry. Early in Jesus’ ministry people from these distant port cities heard about the things Jesus was doing, and, though they were in some sense outsiders, they responded with more enthusiasm than many of those who were closer to Jesus. Jesus held up these “pagan” cities as models of what is possible when people express a genuine des... Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Joan Wester Anderson has been writing about angels since after her son was mysteriously rescued from a devastating snow storm on Christmas Eve. That experience resulted in her first book of true stories of remarkable encounters with angels, Where Angels Walk. Since then, she has written many more books on the subject, and all of them offer spine-tingling, inspiring tales of ordinary people who have been rescued, healed, comforted, and sheltered by heavenly visitors. These amazing stories... Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the “Little Flower,” is one of the most popular saints, owing to her inspirational simplicity. She spent almost a decade of her short life cloistered as a Carmelite nun expressing her thoughts in writings that were eventually shared with the world. “Love proves itself by deeds,” she wrote, “so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these... Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-10-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saint Jerome, brilliant biblical scholar, patron of librarians and translators, was fascinated by the meaning of words. Unlike many translators of his day, he favored use of what modern scripture-scholar Father Leslie Hoppe, O.F.M. calls “dynamic equivalence.” That is, Jerome sought to translate texts from their original Hebrew and Greek “sense for sense” rather than “word for word.” Jerome’s contributions to Catholics’ understanding of the Bibl... Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Bible sometimes reads like a chapter from Dungeons and Dragons. In the apocalyptic passages of Daniel and the Book of Revelation we meet serpents, angels, ancient ones, prophets, and warriors. These characters are set against a backdrop of fire, war, struggle, truth, and deceit. Such images paint a picture of a God who takes sides. In reality the world is deeply interconnected, one in which we can see the human suffering on all sides of violent conflict. What image of God can convey the t... Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Long-standing images of the fires of hell owe much to the vivid description of the afterlife contained in a gospel story. A rich man (later sometimes named Dives) suffers tormenting flames after death because he ignored poor Lazarus on his doorstep throughout his life. Medieval artists loved to illustrate the story because of its drama and visual potential. But beneath all the fire and brimstone lies a clear and direct message: Living only for one’s own wealth and comfort leads to a liv... Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The early th-century French philosopher and mystic Simone Weil had much to say about the value of attention. “Attention is the highest and purest form of generosity,” she said. “Prayer is made of attention.” “There is never a case when an effort of attention is lost. It will always be spiritually effective.” Learning to pay attention—to focus and concentrate on what is at hand—is and has been a neglected practice. No doubt multitudes who lived... Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Considering the enormous flow of words we can encounter with nothing more than the movement of a finger on a computer screen, it is difficult to imagine the ordeal required for a library in the Middle Ages to acquire even a single new book. Monks would often spend their entire careers traveling between monasteries and at each stop transcribing by hand whatever text their home library was in want of. The English monk Saint Ceolfrith (-) was renowned in his time for his tortuous travels a... Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The people of Israel, it seems, had more important things to do than rebuild the temple of the Lord—there was wealth to be made, food and drink and fine clothes to enjoy, and comfortable homes to build. Recent economic history echoes this pattern: Vast fortunes have been amassed, often at the expense of basic moral and ethical principles. In both prosperity and hardship, the divine call to justice, mercy, and love remains unchanged. If you seek lasting joy, disregard the shifting trends... Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The church has not always been on the right side of history when it comes to slavery. In fact, for centuries the “right side” meant justifying slavery because it was an accepted social institution. The ancient Israelites were enslaved people, and the early Christians—and lots of Christians afterwards—took it for granted. Judaism, however, believed the law of God protected enslaved people from mistreatment, and early Christianity thought the differences between enslaver... Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio of Pietrelcina on June , . More than , people braved excessive heat to fill St. Peter’s Square and nearby streets for the ceremony. They heard the Holy Father praise the new saint for his prayer and charity and for Padre Pio’s witness to the power of suffering. If accepted with love, the pope stressed, such suffering can lead to “a privileged path of sanctity.” There is meaning in the suffering in your own life. Search ... Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In her Revelations of Divine Love, th-century mystic Julian of Norwich describes how she came to understand that God is light, “our endless Day.” Seven centuries later, physicist Bernard Haisch came to the same understanding: “The solid, stable world of matter appears to be sustained at every instant by an underlying sea of quantum light,” which Haisch concludes gives “Let there be light” profound meaning and a clue to the nature of God and the mysteries ... Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Most of us know intuitively what prayer is, but how do we pray at all times and “in every place,” as scripture says? One way is to set an intention for each task before us. For example, we might pray: “May this report I am writing be a sign of gratitude for my job.” Or: “May these dishes I am washing be a sign of my love for my family.” Or: “May this cover letter and résumé be a sign of my hope for the future.” By setting an intent... Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC While an underground and prohibited faith in Korea, Catholicism had taken root among laypeople years before a priest arrived in . Some , Catholics had learned the faith from pamphlets smuggled in from China. Catholics in Korea faced many hardships in those years, including the martyrdom of today’s saints, but they kept their faith alive until finally gaining religious freedom in . When the desire is there, faith is possible under all kinds of circumstances. Stay strong in... Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We’ve all heard the adage, “You can’t take it with you.” Although it’s a true statement, it’s not a very inspiring one. Another way to say the same thing is to ask, “What will you leave behind?” Consider the wisdom of the ancient Greek statesman Pericles: “What you leave behind is not what is engraved on stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” What stories and witness will you bequeath to your heirs? Saint Paul ... Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC As much as society creates and perpetuates divisions and privileges based on gender, color, orientation, ability, income, religion, Christians must be equally persistent in breaking those barriers, just as Jesus did. Jesus’ actions were often condemned as audacious and rebellious. But he was actually modeling reciprocity and inclusivity. In a speech on welcoming people with disabilities, Pope Francis explained that Christ’s gaze on the people he met was “a gaze of tende... Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When the wisdom of God comes calling at your door, it’s always a good idea to receive her—and, oh yes, Hebrew scripture compares holy wisdom to a woman. The smart person allows wisdom to enter their life because she comes from God, has always been with God, and embodies God’s creative power and teaching (Torah), three pretty important things. Saint Paul called Christ the wisdom of God, as have Christian saints and scholars ever since. “When we speak about wisdom, we ar... Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Cornelius and Cyprian are remembered and celebrated together because of their united efforts to welcome people back into the church. At the time (ca. ) there was rancorous and strident debate over how and even whether to allow “sinners” to rejoin the Christian community. One group advocated severe punishment and often permanent excommunication. Cornelius and Cyprian, on the other hand, pushed for leniency grounded in the forgiveness modeled by Jesus. Ostracism can never lead to... Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Pop quiz on Catholic tradition: Name the “seven sorrows” in the life of the Virgin Mary. OK, time’s up! While all seven may not have come to mind quickly, here’s a tip: They’re all found in gospel passages. Today is a good day to read and ponder them: the Prophecy of Simeon (Luke :); the Flight into Egypt (Matthew :); the Boy Jesus in the Temple (Luke :); the Way of the Cross (Luke :); the Crucifixion of Jesus (John :); the Descent from the Cross... Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It’s not always easy to face the things that hurt us or our loved ones. So why would we lift up the cross, honoring that which symbolizes pain and the death of Jesus? As Christians we choose to face the cross. In doing so we confront not only the reality of suffering and death but also the hope and belief in new life, in that “something more” of salvation. And somehow in facing our pain, instead of pretending it isn’t there or whitewashing the reality, there is acknowl... Sun, 14 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC A gifted preacher gains a great following. Take the Early Church Father John Chrysostom (-) for example. Because of his eloquence, he was given the surname chrysostomos, meaning “golden mouthed,” and his sermons are still studied and quoted today. What gave his words such power? It is said he avoided flowery language and complex images; instead, he spoke simply and plainly and applied biblical lessons to everyday life. Here’s one sweet example: “The bee is more h... Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Remember that moment when you first realized: “Oh, my gosh, I’m becoming my mother!”—or your father or whoever it was staring back at you from the mirror of your life? We do tend to grow up to become like our elders in many ways, whether we like it or not. Indeed, we put a lot of time and effort into trying to mold young people. Yet, if the above is true, we ought to spend more energy molding and shaping ourselves to be worthy of emulation. That way, when the student b... Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Clothing has a dual purpose: to protect the body from harsh weather and to adorn and identify ourselves: the business suit of an executive, the jeans of a teenager, the uniform of a soldier. In that respect, it makes sense that Saint Paul says we should “put on” virtue; we should wear compassion, kindness, patience, gentleness as colorfully and obviously as we wear our outfits. Paul wants us to wear our allegiance to Christ “on our sleeves” if you will. The Christian d... Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What’s not to love about the Beatitudes? Each is a source of hope in the midst of the joys and sorrows of everyday life. But then there’s that curious part that follows that begins with those fateful words, “Woe to you,” and that’s about the time we decide God is taking on all those “evildoers” out there. It’s difficult to hear these words of admonishment addressed to us, yet we must take them to heart and see them as calling us to life. Joan of... Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Spanish Jesuit priest Saint Peter Claver spent years ministering to African slaves arriving in the port of Cartegena, in what is now Colombia. Many thought he was wasting his time and even opposed his work with people whose welfare was almost entirely neglected. In the last few years of his life, Peter himself was nearly forgotten, having become ill and confined to his room. Yet his death in prodded the city into the realization they had lost a saint. Even if your efforts to help ... Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Disappointments come in all varieties: in finance, romance, parenting, and professional fulfillment. Some of us dream big dreams only to reap what seem humble returns. Should we set our sights lower, then, to keep disappointment at bay? For his part Saint Paul does recommend an attitude adjustment: Aim for love. Those who orient their actions and intentions toward love of God will not be disappointed because God is glad to employ all things, successes and failures together, to fulfill divine ... Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Do we recognize the Jesus who says, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, he cannot be my disciple”? The words seem harsh in comparison to the soothing invitation of the Good Shepherd. Not to worry—Jesus is not insisting we abandon family or become homeless in order to follow him. But Jesus is saying, without doubt, that nothing—no thing and no one—can become so central in life that it interferes with doing God’s wi... Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus condemns strict observance of the sabbath when it comes at the expense of life and well-being. Who wouldn’t want to recover an animal that fell down a well on the sabbath or gather grain to feed one’s family? In today’s terms, you’d search for your lost pet on a Sunday or go grocery shopping if you were out of food. Jesus loves the law and understands its value, but he wants to make a larger point about how God’s love comes ahead of strict observances. Simp... Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC From the moment you hit the reception hall until the happy couple drives away, tin cans rattling and tissue-paper flowers fluttering, it’s party time. Hors d’oeuvres piled high on plates make the rounds, and sparkling beverages are liberally poured. The food never stops coming, from the first salad to the final slice of much-decorated cake. Music fills the hall and dancers demonstrate how each generation once cut the rug. Cameras capture the joy of the hour with each flash. That i... Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The biblical scholar Father Jerome Neyrey, S.J. wonders of the Early Church: “What it must have been like to be catechized into the gospel of Jesus, told that in Baptism we die with him and rise with him.” It was a radically new message—yet it remains so. What does it mean to find new life in death? Why do we and how can we feel the presence of the risen Christ? These questions continue to astound and fascinate us. Not to worry if we cannot fathom the depths of the mystery. ... Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.” This hopeful prayer of Thomas Merton is one to draw on in difficult times. Hope is exactly what we need when we are in pain or despair. It is the foundation of all healing. Our bodies, minds, and hearts are made for healing. That healing may come quickly and completely, or it may be long, painful, and only partially realized. And for each of us, once in a lifetime, healing ends in dea... Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What does encouragement look like? A smile, a pat on the back, a kind word, an affirmation of effort or accomplishment. Encouragement is not hard physical labor. Yet at times we find it difficult to overcome our anger or disappointment in how little impact we’ve had. But Servant of God Dorothy Day says, “No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There's too much work to do." Her words of encouragement can help us encourage others. “What is the sense of our small effo... Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When Jesus returned to Nazareth and spoke prophetically, his hometown people rejected him. That foreshadowed the reception he would receive from his own people in general. It is a pattern repeated many times in history, from the time of the Jewish prophets who suffered repudiation right through to our own era, when right-to-life and immigrant-rights activists encounter stiff resistance to their prophetic message. It does us well to give folks a second hearing if we find ourselves made uncomfo... Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-09-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “Love one another.” “Forgive everyone.” “Give to those who cannot repay you.” These sayings of Jesus seem like a lot of hard work with little reward. But nothing could be further from the truth. Have you ever left a large tip for a tired waitress or waiter? Or smiled at a store clerk who was having a difficult day? Such gestures generate feelings of gratitude and well-being that do not come any other way. If we spent only a few minutes every day thinking of... Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saturdays are not only the traditional day to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary but also the day of the week to pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, the preeminent “Marian” prayer. In prayerfully meditating on the events of the Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary, the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, the Birth of Jesus, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, we “weave our intentions, thoughts, imagination, emotions, and desire for union ... Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We tend to divide up people into good guys and bad guys. Yet the truth about any given person defies those categories. Just think if you were to be permanently judged and labeled based on a particularly bad day when all your weak points showed up like yellow dandelions on a green lawn. Take Herod for instance, one of the villains of the gospel stories. Despite his bad behavior, Mark presents him as having a heart with at least a reasonable potential for goodness. As Just Mercy author Bryan St... Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Looking for a good book? Try Augustine’s Confessions, a classic of literature by one of the greatest thinkers of all time. Augustine’s account of his search for God contains all the elements of a great adventure story: exotic locations, decadence and dissolution, complicated maternal relationship, philosophical and theological struggles, despair and confusion, and finally a profound religious experience: “No further would I read; nor needed I: for instantly at the end of thi... Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the early centuries of the church, women’s importance was often tied to the social standing of the men in their lives, and their stories were told through a male voice. Saint Monica’s story comes to us through the writings of her son, Saint Augustine of Hippo. He described Monica as a model of womanly virtue: hard working, persevering, submissive, and holy. Yet we know nothing about Monica in her own words. We do not even know if she could write. Monica, like many women, past a... Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC To share the gospel is to share a part of yourself. Your life experience brings the word of God to life. We are the living word—witnesses to the gospel in our everyday actions. When you share yourself with others through acts of love, the gospel becomes more real—not only for those you encounter, but for you as well. As Saint Augustine reminds us: “It is the highest duty of religion to imitate Him whom you adore.” Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The First Council of Nicaea, convened on this day in , condemned the Arian heresy and affirmed both the divinity of Christ and the Trinitarian nature of God through the Nicene Creed. Four centuries later, the Second Council of Nicaea addressed the Iconoclastic Controversy, condemning the destruction of religious images. The council affirmed the legitimacy of displaying and venerating icons as a way to connect with Christ and the saints, while carefully distinguishing between veneration, wh... Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC A teacher asked his class for examples of words that describe the current crop of college students. He expected to hear “highly educated” or “sophisticated” but was surprised at the honesty of a young woman who responded “entitlement. We think everything is owed to us.” An overstatement, yet such an attitude can often be attached to a particular social class, race, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. But scripture makes it clear that simply being a member of... Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC You may be familiar with the th-century Litany of Loreto, which gathers wonderful images of Mary such as Mother Admirable, Mystical Rose, Tower of Ivory, Gate of Heaven, and Morning Star. Saint Francis of Assisi in the th century had a similar litany, his “Salutation of the Virgin,” which hails Mary as Christ’s Palace, Tabernacle, Home, and, perhaps the most striking, Mary as “Virgin made church.” Mary is the model for Christian discipleship. “Let it be... Sat, 23 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Though Mary was never crowned Queen of Heaven in scripture, she has long reigned as queen in the hearts of the faithful. Still, the question remains: In what way is her queenship real? Mary's royal stature holds meaning for us, apart from whatever it signifies in the divine realm. “She is a most tender and kind Queen,” writes Saint Alphonsus Liguori, “eager to help us in our miseries. So much so that the church wants us to call her a Queen of Mercy.” We, too, are invit... Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The concept of freedom is intrinsically linked with the struggle against tyranny. In the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Abraham Lincoln explores two principles that, he says, have stood face to face from the beginning of time: the common right of humanity and the divine right of kings. It is an eternal push and pull of right and wrong, of a spirit that says, “You toil and work and earn bread, and I’ll eat it.” Whether in the context of a ruler or enslaver, “it is the same ty... Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Bernard of Clairvaux, a French abbot of the th century, had a profound influence on the course of Catholicism at a time of great strife and intrigue in the church. He reformed monastic life, brought Marian devotion to the forefront of popular piety, and mediated between princes and popes. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Knights Templar, who came to embody the medieval ideal of a Christian knight. Amid the tumult of his age, he held fast to the conviction that the “thre... Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “With God all things are possible” is surely one of the most well-known of Jesus’ statements. It’s short, optimistic, and, most important, we want it to be true. But when we look at the world around us, the words of the ancient Israelite Gideon more likely capture what’s on our minds, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?” What Gideon didn’t know and we forget is that God holds the entire picture of creation, while we see only a ve... Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Why does having many possessions stand in the way of our spiritual freedom? If that is the case, why do we go to such great lengths to acquire things, and why is it so difficult to part with them, even when their usefulness to us is long gone? Perhaps it’s because we all need something we can hold onto, and holding onto things we can see and touch is certainly an understandable response to insecurity. But ultimately perishable things will fail to deliver the hoped-for security, as each ... Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire,” says Saint Catherine of Siena. But who is it that God wants you to be? The search for that answer is what the church calls the “process of discernment.” At various points in our lives, each of us must pause to ask: Where am I being called? What will ignite a fire within me—and set the world ablaze? As you determine your fiery course, consider this exhortation from Pope Francis: “We Christians ... Sun, 17 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the year Hungarians celebrated the ,th anniversary of the founding of their country by Saint Stephen, who not only created one nation out of numerous tribes but also made it Christian. Though Stephen had already been canonized by the Roman Church centuries before, to mark the millennium, the Eastern Orthodox Church also canonized him—an unprecedented gesture endorsed by Pope Saint John Paul II, who emphasized the need for Christians more than ever to work together. Stephen&r... Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Assumption is a teaching about the Mother of God, but this dogma has much to say about all of us. It affirms the dignity of our bodies and how God is mindful of every hair on our heads. In an era when the idea of the human person is continually under assault—from the arena of public policy to the refugee camps and killing fields of war—Mary’s Assumption is a divine response to our deepest fears as well as our greatest hopes about the fate of our bodies. “Mary is assume... Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Maximilian Kolbe was a Franciscan friar who offered his life to save that of a stranger sentenced to die in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Canonized in , he also was honored in as one of ten th-century Christian martyrs commemorated with statues over Westminster Abbey in London. The martyrs represent victims of religious persecution and oppression worldwide. “There has never been a time in Christian history when someone, somewhere, has not died rather than compromise with ... Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What may be one of the strangest reconciliations in church history occurred between Pontian and Hippolytus. Pontian became pope in A.D.—just in time for the Roman persecution of Christians. He spent most of his reign as a slave in the mines of Sardinia. Hippolytus, who was at odds with the papacy, got the idea to have his followers name him pope. But he was swept up in the same persecution that netted Pontian. Now both in prison, Hippolytus repented to the true pope, Pontian, and Po... Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, who founded the Visitation Sisters in France years ago, suffered years of interior anguish and spiritual dryness. Her contemporary, Saint Francis de Sales, said of her struggles: “For all that suffering her face never lost its serenity, nor did she once relax in the fidelity God asked of her. And so I regard her as one of the holiest souls I have ever met on this earth.” Her way of enduring through difficult times reflects the order’s motto... Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Isn’t it amazing how much stuff we collect in our lives? You move into a house or an apartment with a few things and you think you’ve got plenty of room. But within a short period of time, you’ve got no place left to put all of it. Saint Clare didn’t have that problem. Although from a wealthy family, she embraced a life of strict and total poverty, possessing absolutely nothing for the sake of the joy that comes with possessing only Christ. And joyful she was for nearl... Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC With so much emphasis on work and consumption in American culture, it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that “you are what you earn.” This attitude creates a lot of anxiety, leaving us constantly worried about our financial worth and feeling devalued if our “earning power” drops or if we are not part of the wage economy. Jesus offers a different vision when he assures us that God is pleased to give us the Kingdom. There is nothing to earn here, nothing to be g... Sun, 10 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Three Spanish saints—Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Ávila, and John of the Cross—wrote extensively on suffering and the role of the cross. Their writings helped draw Edith Stein (later Carmelite Sister Teresa Benedicta) into the life of the church. Even before the rise of Nazism, Teresa Benedicta, a Jewish convert to Catholicism who was gassed at Auschwitz in , saw the cross as central in her own life: “I understood the cross as the destiny of God’s people. .... Sat, 09 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Jesuit theologian James Keenan once said that sin was simply not bothering to love. Note: Sin isn’t the absence of love; love is already there. Rather it’s the failure to choose to take advantage of opportunities to love. Saint Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, and Dominican brothers and sisters ever since have sought to put knowledge and love together guided by their motto: “To praise, to bless, to preach.” You can do the same. Review your day and se... Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Sixtus II became pope in and was martyred almost a year later along with several deacons. Not only was he willing to die for Christ, it is inscribed on his tomb that he also offered himself first to the persecutors with the hope of saving his companions. Sixtus championed the belief that only one Baptism was necessary in life—it needn’t be repeated, as some others claimed at the time. Once baptized in Christ, you always will be. That permanence makes extraordinary sacrifice po... Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The two events we remember today offer a startling juxtaposition of images. First is the brilliant light radiating from Jesus as he is transformed on the mountaintop and the cloud from which is heard: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Next to that is Hiroshima, Japan on August , : a blinding flash of light, a dense, dark, demonic mushroom cloud, and the greatest devastation humankind has ever seen. These images prompt us to consider the ways we use our knowledge and po... Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC You have to admire Moses. Two people close to him—Aaron and Miriam—had started asking why they couldn’t be prophets, too. To settle the matter God called the three of them out for a talking-to: God trusted Moses, God said—end of argument. What’s more, God punished Miriam with an instant case of leprosy. But Moses just as quickly asked the Lord to forgive Miriam. We see something similar when Jesus called Saint Peter to walk out on the water to him. Peter’s ... Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Bible says Moses was the meekest man in the world. Today’s saint, John Vianney, a.k.a. the Curé of Ars, was pretty lowly in his own right. It was said that he had a poor memory and no ability whatsoever to grasp abstract thought. In seminary he failed essential subjects like theology and Latin. But they ordained him anyway because his lowliness allowed God’s love to shine through. Unlike others who let their ambitions get the best of them, Saint John Vianney stuck to hi... Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What does it mean to be free? For some it’s a matter of not being trapped in oppressive circumstances, like an unsatisfying job, a difficult relationship, or an illness. For others it’s the ability to find ways to live creatively within those situations. Some say freedom is about having choices. And there are those who think it’s simply being able to do whatever they want. Christians believe Christ has freed them to discern what is truly important: to be generous rather than... Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When word came to King Herod about Jesus and his ministry, Herod mistook him for John the Baptist come back from the dead. Perhaps Herod’s error grew out of a fear that John had returned to haunt him or seek revenge of some kind for his murder at Herod’s command. Fear can lead people to many kinds of misjudgments: avoiding problems, damaging relationships, not speaking out, holding back from taking steps to go forward in life. Muster the courage to fight your fear. This simple pra... Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Skeptics abound. Those who retain their faith are tempted toward the fringes: a severe expression of religion that either lacks mercy or embraces a laxity that makes everything seem relative and even irrelevant. Does that sound like a description of our generation? Actually, it’s how many described the th century that saw the rise of the Enlightenment but also severe economic inequalities and class divisions. In that divided age, Saint Alphonsus Liguori became the champion of a simple... Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-08-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The spirit of giving doesn’t come naturally to all of us. Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, had a prayer for that, as he did for most things: “Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God, teach me true generosity. Teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give without counting the cost, to fight heedless of wounds, to labor without seeking rest, to sacrifice myself without thought of any reward, save the knowledge that I have done your will.” When the giving gets tough, ... Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus’ metaphor that the kingdom of God is a “pearl of great price,” so precious that a person would sell all their possessions to have it, may seem extreme. However, Jesus is not giving out financial advice. He is putting a fine point on a truth he has utter confidence in: that God and God’s reign of love is all that matters. Often, it’s only when we are pushed to the brink and confronted with losing it all that we realize the “pearl” in our midst. T... Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. Martha has come down to us as the original “Type A” personality, the busy one in Luke’s gospel who has trouble sitting still when Jesus visits. But she also was a woman of great courage and faith. Even in the face of her profound grief at having lost her brother, she was unshaken in her faith that Jesus was the “resurrection and the life.” When a loss of a loved one leaves us feeling devastated,... Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus uses the parable of the mustard seed to illustrate that when the reign of God takes root even from the smallest seed, it will grow to great size. But is that what most of us want? Do we really hope to see the establishment of God’s reign—where the lowly are lifted up and the mighty are brought to their knees? Scripture scholar John Dominic Crossan points out that in Mediterranean areas the mustard bushes that sprout from tiny mustard seeds are considered weeds—a nuisan... Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In President Clinton signed a congressional resolution setting aside the fourth Sunday of July as Parents’ Day for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.” Embracing this day is easy for those of us who have or had loving parents, but for those of us who didn’t experience great parenting, we may find it hard to feel uplifted. Surely, however, we can all celebrate the fact that we have a perfect divine parent who has ... Sun, 27 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We know nothing for certain about the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but it doesn’t matter. In the same way that we know God through his Son Jesus, we can know Anne and Joachim through their daughter Mary. It was through these two that Mary learned about prayer and work, family and community. It was Anne and Joachim who taught their daughter to love and trust God enough to say, “May it be done to me according to your word.” Faith, like the color of our eyes and hair, is... Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Legend has it that Saint James was preaching the gospel in Spain when the Virgin Mary appeared to him and called him back to Judea, where he was beheaded by King Agrippa. His remains were then taken up and brought back to Spain, where they were buried at Compostela. A shrine to James was established there in the ninth century, and the Camino (Way) of Saint James to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela became one of the most important pilgrimages in the world next to Jerusalem and Rome. In ... Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The routine nature of daily life can cause our hearts to grow dull. And when we’re feeling dull, it’s hard to hear what God has to tell us. Yet it doesn’t take much to shake things up and get a new perspective. Just break out of a routine and do something different—take a new route to work, rearrange your furniture, clean out a junk drawer, or call an old friend you’ve been thinking about. God often talks to us in moments of surprise. “Whenever our interior... Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Good preachers know that if they tell a story as part of a sermon, their listeners are more likely to remember the message. Such preachers take their lead from the master storyteller. Jesus used stories to help people understand what really matters in the divine life. Indeed, says th-century Catholic historian Father Edmund Campion, Catholics are born storytellers “who get their identity through their histories, which they see as salvation history linking them to the saving actions of... Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We seem to be coming closer to understanding Mary Magdalene as she was, not the reformed sinner (a role mistakenly ascribed to her first not in scripture but by Pope Gregory I in ) but, as the Mass prayers and readings for her feast day remind us, the beloved friend of Jesus, the first witness of his Resurrection, and its first missionary. All the prayers in the Mass in her honor praise her memory as a close friend of Jesus, much like the Beloved Disciple in John’s gospel. Saint Th&e... Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Sacred scripture is the living word of God, and the ancient monastic practice of lectio divina (Latin for “divine reading”) is a contemplative way of “conversing” with it. By narrowing in on certain passages, reading them slowly and repeatedly, noticing what stirs you, and reflecting prayerfully on it, you can grow closer in personal relationship with God. Open Heart, Open Mind by Trappist monk Father Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O. is a modern classic on the topic. Keating s... Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC As essentially Christian and counter-intuitive as “love your enemies may be,” Jesus’ defending Mary’s “laziness” over her hard-working sister Martha seems even more outrageous and unfair! If Americans love and believe in anything, it is hard work. It’s what gives us identity. We define ourselves as a farmer, an attorney, a salesperson, and so on. So how can Jesus tell poor Martha, who could use a little help in the kitchen, that her sister has chosen ... Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC There are few things more Jewish than matzo, and nothing more Catholic than the Eucharist. In both cases it’s odd to remember that the unleavened bread was purely unintentional. The bread was flat on the day of the great Passover because there was simply no time for it to rise. God doesn’t mind making use of what’s available, no matter how untimely it seems to us. God chose a young girl, Mary, not yet married, to be the mother of the world’s great passover from sin, Je... Sat, 19 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Bible is replete with various images of God, from God as a judge and executor (Exodus :) to God as a woman baking bread (Matthew :). Often these images seem contradictory—a violent God killing firstborn children versus a God who nourishes with patience and care. Frequently these likenesses are used to describe a perceived attribute of God. What images describe your experience of God? If loving, just, and merciful don’t come to mind, perhaps it's time to get to know God... Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It makes a difference whether you know someone’s name. To be introduced to a person involves learning their name. It puts you on personal terms. That’s true even when it comes to God. When Moses asked God who he should say sent him, God says to tell them, “I AM sent me to you.” Jesus, too, refers to himself as “I am” in the Gospel of John. We believe in a God who we can know on an intimate, personal level. Don’t be afraid to call God by name. You&rsqu... Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC You’re not looking for God in the supermarket. You don’t expect to see God in traffic. You don’t usually have a religious experience while doing homework, standing in line at the bank, eating cereal, or watching TV. In the same way Moses was most certainly not expecting to have a divine encounter at work the day of his first encounter with God, during another monotonous shift keeping an eye on the sheep. Yet when he climbed up to see that now-famous burning bush, God was wai... Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC You know the story: Pharaoh ordered all the male Hebrew children to be cast into the Nile to check the burgeoning Israelite population. One mother followed his command but with a twist: Trying to save her little boy, she floated him out onto the river in a basket. Pharaoh’s daughter, at the river to bathe, saw the little boat, gave the baby back to the mother, whom she paid to nurse and raise the child, until she was able to adopt the child as her own. She called him Moses, which means ... Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC One look at the daily news reminds us: It’s a cold, cruel world out there. Innocence is slaughtered every day. The harshness of the world can make us tough, self-protecting, and cold at the center: “Not my job. Not my problem.” But the violence of our generation really is our problem, and the job of responding to it can only be ours. We have one great weapon in the war against cruelty. Today, unwrap the gift of kindness. Use it liberally, especially with those who “tre... Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What would happen if you and a whole bunch of other people really took to heart these words of scripture: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself”? What, in other words, would be the result if you and I and lots of others put God first in our lives? There would be mutual respect between people. The love of God would be lived out. Violence would disappear. No one... Sun, 13 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today is National Simplicity Day in honor of the birth of Henry David Thoreau, a th-century U.S. transcendental philosopher and author. “Our life is frittered away by detail,” says Thoreau in Walden, “Simplify, simplify, simplify!” As we enter into the dog days of summer that advice is welcome. But remember that same advice as work and family obligations heat up come fall. Living simply takes effort and strict attention. As Carmelite nun Saint Thérèse o... Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Saint Benedict’s famous Rule was originally written as a guide for those living in monastic communities he had founded or had gathered around him. Ever since, though, the Rule of St. Benedict has been a source of guidance and inspiration for many people seeking to live more faithful Christian lives. “This message of mine is for you,” Benedict wrote in the prologue to the Rule, “if you are ready to give up your own will, once and for all, and armed with the strong and n... Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Israelite Joseph had it tough as the second youngest in a family of brothers. Picked on and resented because he was his dad Jacob’s favorite, Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. The next time he meets up with his brothers, years later, the tables are turned. Joseph is in a position of power, and his brothers are the vulnerable ones. It wouldn’t have taken much for Joseph to tap into feelings of hurt, betrayal, and rage and respond measure for measure. But instead, ... Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We tend to think that the word apostle—which means “one who is sent”—appears only in the gospels, yet the term is also used in Saint Paul’s letters to mean “one who has seen the risen Lord and has been commissioned to proclaim the Resurrection.” And in fact all believers in Christ are commissioned to evangelize. As Pope Saint John Paul II says, “No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ t... Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When you think of an encounter with God, what’s the first image that comes to mind? Wrestling? Maybe not, but it’s a powerful biblical image. Think of Jacob, who grappled with the angel of God. At the time, Jacob feared for his life because he was in dangerous territory. Would God remain with him in his hour of need? For Jacob, a crisis of faith followed. So did a wrestling match. How often do we wrestle with God? In illness, financial hardship, and other troubles, we may try to l... Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Some people seem to be born with the gift of deep faith. They appear to have an intuitive grasp of the spiritual side of life and to know God is always with them. The rest of us must endure long periods of doubt and uncertainty that are only occasionally interrupted by brief moments of spiritual clarity. Saint John of the Cross advises us to “Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul.” Ask yourself, “Where am I on the contin... Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC A homilist once said, “The church serves the kingdom of God. It is not the kingdom of God.” The church is not all of the kingdom but the best way to it. And God’s kingdom is already here. Jesus taught it is among us but not quite complete. God plays a central role in bringing the kingdom to its fullness, of course, but we disciples have to do some of the heavy lifting, too, to move toward a time when evil does not get the last word; sinners who seek it receive forgiveness; t... Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In Jesus something new was happening. He came to people who had particular expectations about who their savior was going to be. When Jesus started teaching and working among them, many did not accept him. He was not only breaking a lot of the rules, he was throwing a few out, too. Some did not realize he was revealing a radically different way of knowing and following God. His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom the church honors today and many other Saturdays, was open to that newness. She... Sat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Tax-collector-turned-apostle Matthew may not have had the most popular job when Jesus called him, but the key is not what we do before we hear the call but what we do after. Matthew dropped his lucrative post and followed Jesus without looking back. Would you do the same? If you sense that you often lack the courage of your convictions, look to Matthew for inspiration. He gave up the big bucks for even greater treasure—the honor of giving his riches to the poor. Apparently, per the teac... Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It can be lonely to listen to your friends talk about their spiritual experiences if yours are of the more mundane variety. Not everyone has apparitions in a grotto or hears voices in empty churches (and it’s not always a good thing if you do). If your friends weep with ecstasy during prayer or rave about their insights from spiritual direction, be happy for them. But also remember good apostle Thomas, who missed out on the big spiritual moment of being one of the first to see the risen... Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Prayer has many forms and many expressions: It turns our hearts and minds to God with a desire to praise, request, give thanks, or intercede on behalf of others. Prayer is conversation with God; sitting in silence with God; sharing with God every hope and fear we carry. But as Saint Thomas Aquinas reminds us, “We set forth our petitions before God, not in order to make known to Him our needs and desires, but rather so that we ourselves may realize that in these things it is necessary to... Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC One of the most famous of Jesus’ miracle stories is his calming of the waves. You remember: He and the disciples are out on a lake and a big wind comes along and starts to swamp the boat. The disciples panic and go to Jesus—who’s sleeping peacefully. You’d think these men, some of whom are fishers and presumably have been through storms before, would keep their nerve a little better. “Lord, save us!” they cry nonetheless, and Jesus, before settling the stor... Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-07-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We may say that we are willing to follow Jesus anywhere. But Jesus will be quick to point out that “the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” So be prepared for some difficult times, hardships, and sacrifices. Venerable Pierre Toussaint, who was enslaved until he was , provides inspiration for the journey: "I have never felt I am a slave to any man or woman, but I am a servant of almighty God who made us all. When one of His children is in need, I am glad to be His slave." Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It is important to note that Saints Peter and Paul, the two men we call the “pillars of the church,” were both flawed and gifted human beings. Peter, the “rock” upon which Jesus built his church, was a simple fisher who was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and also the first to deny knowing him. Paul, an educated Roman citizen, intended to imprison Christians but ended up becoming a follower of Jesus himself. He was Christianity’s first missionary, est... Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Before Catholics receive Holy Communion at Mass, they pray the simple words, “Lord, I am not worthy for you to enter under my roof, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” The words “enter under my roof” take on a deeper meaning when we consider that they are the same ones spoken to Jesus by a Roman centurion who desperately sought healing for his servant. This soldier humbly acknowledged he was not worthy of having Jesus enter into his home yet at the same time ... Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We’ve all known the ache of a broken heart. Today, as we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we remember that God, too, has felt that same pain—in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. The image of a heart burning with love yet pierced by thorns perfectly mirrors our own experience when life falls apart—when those we love suffer or when we ourselves are overwhelmed by sorrow. But it’s also an image of God’s own heart, wounded by a world that resists the joy, peac... Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the wake of devastating earthquakes, there often follows review of building codes and criticism that buildings had not been built properly to withstand such events. Jesus uses similar imagery to describe the condition of those who rely only on the facade of doing good as their claim on salvation. He says it’s not enough to call him “Lord.” It’s not even enough only to “drive out demons” and do spectacular deeds in his name. All of that is good showmanshi... Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “For leadership, there is only one road: service,” said Pope Francis. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to trust those in leadership. Some of our leaders resort to deception and concealment to further their own ends or those of the institutions they represent. Our faith, including our biblical tradition, however, offers a reliable guide to tell whether what we’re being told is the real deal. Do leaders actually end up doing what they say they are going to do? Do people ge... Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC John cuts a courageous figure of faith we do well to remember and honor. “His name is John,” both his parents insist. And what does that tell us? Saint Pope John Paul II explains: John, “in Hebrew means ‘God is benevolent.’ God is benevolent to human beings; he wants them to live; he wants them to be saved.” So we do well to listen to John as he prepares the way, “towards the land, where peace and justice reign.” Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus warns, “Stop judging, that you may not be judged.” While you may have to make some judgments every day, Jesus forbids judging a person’s character, worth, intentions, or standing before God on the basis of what you see. Jesus used the word hypocrite, which comes from the Greek word for “actor,” someone who wears a mask. The gospel asks that you unmask yourself, be real, and see more clearly. Indeed, “to speak only of the fau... Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Human need doesn’t get much more basic than food and drink. But our hunger and thirst go beyond the physical. We also have essential spiritual requirements: We hunger and thirst for God. To our eternal good fortune, God satisfies all of our needs through the Body and Blood of Jesus. The sacrament of the Eucharist is a living reminder that God is with us and provides us with abundance where there was scarcity; presence where there was absence; life where the shadow of death once fell. It... Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The singer-songwriter Bill Withers got it right when he sang, “Lean on me, when you’re not strong. And I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.” There are times when we doubt, are afraid, and experience pain and suffering, as well as times of joy and triumph. All these experiences are possible because God gives us free will. The key to the big choices in life is to depend on God. And when it comes to the everyday worries, Saint Francis de Sales advises us: &l... Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It’s a Friday in summer, hooray! The beach, ballpark, and backyard all beckon. Summer urges us to slow down and savor simple pleasures. Not only will we feel better, we will be better. Rest, relaxation, and retreat help us to absorb the sights and sounds around us and appreciate the people and things in our lives more. We are quicker to laugh, to love, to forgive, to give thanks. These are the treasures that have everlasting value. Heed the Roman poet Ovid’s advice: “Take re... Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, he begins, “Our Father.” These two words, along with those that follow, have become so familiar to us that we can easily overlook how revolutionary they were, and are. As the early Christian thinker Origen (-) notes in his commentary on Jesus’ prayer, nowhere does scripture set a precedent for calling on God as one’s father. These words from Jesus, then, are a pure gift—they are at once completely undeserved and... Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We shouldn’t be surprised that, from time to time, a pastor must appeal for support from the congregation. Money is the lifeblood of the ministry of service. Without it, everything grinds to a halt. And much of that money has to come from the pockets of parishioners. God provides us with blessings in abundance so that we may be generous with our time, talent, and, yes, our pocketbook as well. The U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference weighs in on the issue, saying that: “All Christian ... Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The problem with famous words is that their very familiarity can breed indifference. It’s one thing to know Jesus’ commandment to love our enemies. It’s quite another to realize Jesus is speaking to us. We are the ones who are called to love and forgive others: an insensitive brother-in-law, a conniving co-worker, or a difficult neighbor. While in theory forgiveness sometimes seems very hard, it is only when we extend our hand in reconciliation that we realize nothing is as ... Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “There’s no time like the present” may sound like a cliché, but it carries deep spiritual wisdom. Few in Christian tradition embodied that urgency more than Saint Paul, whose tireless efforts to spread the gospel laid the foundation of the Early Church. Estimates suggest that Paul traveled nearly , miles—much of it on foot or by sea, often in dangerous and uncomfortable conditions. Though he dreaded certain journeys, he never let fear or fatigue deter him f... Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC One of scripture’s more powerful messages is that God knows creation literally from the inside out—having created it, that’s not surprising!—and has had this intimate relationship since the beginning. Perhaps one of the most beautiful expressions of that sentiment is found in Psalm . God is everywhere: “Where can I go from your spirit? . . . For you formed my inmost being; knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm :, ). Today’s celeb... Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Was there ever a “yes” surrendered to God as graciously and completely as the fiat of Mary of Nazareth? “Let it be done to me,” this sturdy teenager agreed, to the outrageous proposal of an unexpected angel caller. This was a “yes” shouted into the darkness of history, reverberating into an unknown and possibly perilous future. This was a “yes” that affected everyone who ever lived and ever would live. Did Mary know on that ordinary day that sal... Sat, 14 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The beauty and spirit of each life is held in an earthen vessel that begins decaying the minute it’s exposed to air, like some ancient artifact unsealed from a tomb. But Saint Paul, who grappled with the age-old questions of mortality, reassures us that despite our inexorable, and seemingly inglorious, march toward death, those who follow Jesus are actually sharing in the life of Christ. And for Saint Anthony of Padua, whose memorial we observe today, “The life of the body is the ... Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Catholic Relief Services, founded in by the U.S. Catholic bishops, offers emergency assistance where it’s most needed around the world. According to its most recent annual report, CRS reaches more than million vulnerable people working with , local partners in countries around the world. It is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. Supporting CRS is a simple way to effectuate transformation in ourselves and in people ... Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC It requires both faith and generosity to vouch for another person, especially when that person has a less-than-stellar track record. In the Early Church, Barnabas was an outsider to the apostles and worked hard to prove himself as a devout and talented orator. Consider, then, the bravery it took for Barnabas to attempt to persuade the apostles to welcome Saul of Tarsus, a former persecutor of Christians. Barnabus’ courage and vision paid off as Saint Paul became one of the most influ... Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the beginning, says Genesis , God not only created the seas but made the “waters teem with swarms of living creatures.” Sunday was designated World Oceans Day by the United Nations, and we’re reminded that God’s creation is in real danger. As Pope Francis writes in his encyclical Laudato Si’, these formerly teeming waters are increasingly a graveyard, “due largely to pollution which reaches the sea as the result of deforestation, agricultural monoc... Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In , Pope Francis added a memorial to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as “Mother of the Church” every year on the Monday after Pentecost as a way to foster Marian piety and the “maternal sense of the church.” The Marian title of “Mother of the Church,” was given to the Blessed Mother by Pope Saint Paul VI at the Second Vatican Council, who said of Mary: “She who once gave us Jesus, the fount of heavenly grace, cannot fail to offer he... Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Changes in the liturgy can be striking, particularly when familiar responses are presented in a new light. For example, in the English response “And also with you” was changed to “And with your Spirit.” That opens things up—not only about how to understand this part of the liturgy but also how to understand our brothers and sisters. How amazing it is to consider that indeed the Holy Spirit is with each one of us. And not only at Mass or when we are doing &ld... Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Celebrity gossip is so pervasive that it’s almost hard to avoid. How much do you know about the personal lives of the rich and famous? Sure, these people often invite the public into their lives for profit, but scrutinizing—even relishing—the foibles of strangers is a slippery slope. Jesus frequently reminded his followers to focus on themselves—their own failings and how they could improve—instead of worrying about those around them. Philosopher Dietrich Bonhoef... Sat, 07 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The dictionary defines redemption as the act of saving something or somebody from a declined, dilapidated, or corrupted state and providing restoration. Sounds like the history of Christianity. No matter how far we stray, what sins we commit, or how often we deny God, we are continually offered forgiveness and redemption. Journalist Vance Packard once observed, “The Christian notion of the possibility of redemption is incomprehensible to the computer.” Sometimes it’s incompr... Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What we now call Europe began to take its earliest form nearly , years ago, and Winfrid of Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon missionary known to us as Saint Boniface, was one of those to help shape it. Bringing Christianity to what today is Germany, he helped form alliances and reform dioceses, laying the groundwork for church-state relations that would shape western Christianity for centuries. “In her voyage across the ocean of this world,” says Boniface, “the Church is like a gre... Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the Marian prayer Salve Regina we call the world “this vale of tears,” an image not so different from Saint Paul’s when he warns us of “savage wolves” who will not spare believers. In John’s gospel, Jesus refers to the world as a place where believers will find the rejection that he experienced. It’s easy to become cynical, to see threats lurking everywhere from which we desire escape. But Jesus never promised, “Let me take you away from all ... Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians,” wrote Early Church Father Tertullian. That truism is borne out in the history of the church in Africa. Speaking of Saint Charles Lwanga and the martyrs of Uganda in his “Word on Fire” video series, Bishop Robert Barron wonders if those first Christians of th-century Uganda could have imagined that one day Africa would have nearly million Christians and that Uganda itself would have the largest percentage of profes... Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The disciples confidently assured Jesus they believed in him, suggesting an unshakeable faith. Jesus knew better; he knew they would flee at the first sign of the trouble that was coming his way. When we are most sure of ourselves, we most need to be careful. Jesus knows we can talk a good game when it comes to faith. But can we do the work—especially when it leads us to risk or hardship? Can we embrace the cross as all our suffering and martyred saints have done? The Easter season is a... Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The term ascension is susceptible to unintended comic imagery of Jesus waving good-bye from a balloon gondola or being lifted on a wire. Another unfortunate connotation is that heaven is somehow “up,” while we are left down here. Perhaps such imagery does help us to imagine that in the resurrected Lord, God (heaven) and we (on Earth) are united. Having become incarnate in Jesus, God is never only watching from some great distance. “I am with you until the end” are the ... Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-06-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Two women on a common journey: one in the later stages of life and one just starting out. Yet they meet in the middle, Elizabeth and Mary, to share the same remarkable reality: new life seemingly out of nowhere! And both believed the incredible word that came to them from God, Elizabeth through her husband and Mary from an angel. Sharing their joy produced a song, known as the Magnificat, still sung around the world. Today is the feast day of small faith-sharing groups everywhere. Believe the... Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-31+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Faith can seem like a time-travel video game, particularly in the way we celebrate liturgy. We look to the past, but the past is also present, and the present always looks to the future. We learn the kingdom of God is within and among us—but not yet fulfilled. We worship and follow a Lord who appeared in human flesh, left in body but remained in Spirit, and will come again to usher us into the eternal. No wonder we get a little lost sometimes! Here’s your compass: The world is bro... Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC When Jesus told his disciples, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me,” they were puzzled—as they were many times about their master’s words. What’s more, while they were scratching their heads, Jesus upped the ante. He made it clear they were about to be caught up in a drama—the Resurrection of Christ—much larger than their own personal grief over losing him: “You will weep and mourn, but t... Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The pages of the New Testament are sprinkled liberally with folks who encountered Jesus or the apostles and came to faith. But often in stories of the church, both ancient and modern, the headlines feature the scoffers whereas the faithful are relegated to the margins and footnotes. “Is God Dead?”, the cover of Time magazine inquired funereally in bold red letters on a stark black background in . Good news doesn’t need to travel quietly. Make a little noise about your be... Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Ever wonder just what a belief in Jesus saves us from? That’s easy: Jesus saves us from ourselves and a warped worldview that puts us in power instead of someone infinitely more competent: God. Once we let go of our illusions of control and accept God’s direction, our burdens are lifted and we feel compelled to live our lives for others: to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, free the prisoner, and gather to offer praise and thanksgiving for the way that has b... Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Memorial Day in the United States is observed the last Monday of May in honor of the men and women serving in the military who died in combat. Many other nations have their own memorial or remembrance days to honor their war dead. Sadly, there are many sacrificed lives to call to mind as nations continue to go to war. As we remember the brave soldiers we’ve lost, perhaps we’d do well to think about what we could do to stop the fighting. Mother Teresa has a simple thought on the ma... Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC For centuries Christians have built places of worship. From the most ornate cathedrals to the simplest meeting houses, faith communities have recognized the need for a space in which to come together to feel close to God. It’s good to remember, though, that church is more than a building. Jesus said he would be present where two or three gather in his name—regardless of where they were; Saint Peter in his first letter called Christ a living stone and told believers to be “li... Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Vatican II document Nostra Aetate (“In our time”) declares quite firmly that we cannot truly call on God if we refuse to treat in a “brotherly way” any human being. Our relation to God and his relation to all people is so linked together that, as scripture says: "He who does not love does not know God" ( John :). The document goes on to say that “the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against [people] or harassment of the... Sat, 24 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The New Testament is filled with images of Jesus—from a good shepherd to a mother hen, from a royal king to a dear friend. Writers, theologians, mystics, and artists also have given us many images that can help us deepen our own experience of God and stretch us in new ways. While some images may surprise us, like Saint Gerard Majella urging us to recognize Christ in the “poor sick person,” they can also spark a new way of thinking about how God is present in our everyday lif... Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What comes to mind when you think of love? Maybe it’s the deep connection you have with a loved one. Jesus talked about love in this way: The close relationship he had to the Father was the one he had with his disciples. He also gave us an example of a love that respects others, is patient, and is willing to make sacrifices for the good of others. Love, then, is about both contemplation and action: entering the bond you have with Jesus and the Father and also responding to it. Christ sa... Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-22+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus’ image of the vine and the branches speaks to the intimate and enduring relationship between him as his followers. Just as the vine nourishes and supports the branches, Jesus sustains his followers. The branches, in turn, bear fruit, just as Christian disciples spread the Good News of God’s love. Even in times of pruning and dormancy, branches remain connected to the vine, preparing for their next full flowering. Like a gnarled and ancient grapevine along a Mediterranean coa... Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-21+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC We all have bad hair days, blue Mondays, and getting-out-on-the-wrong-side-of-bed days. But other days go badly after they begin. Perhaps none are so bad as the day Saint Paul faced a shower of rocks from an angry mob and was left for dead. After his friends found him, he got up and reentered the city. It’s not recorded that a miracle took place, healing him and taking the pain away. Chances are Paul stood up, bruised and bloody and sore as heck—and went back to work. This sort of... Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-20+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC “Why do we need sex education?” a student asked his religion teacher. “We already know all the answers are no!” Commandments, moral and ethical codes, rules and regulations get a bad rap. They’re seen as punitive and stifling, when in fact the best commandments—the ones our faith tradition tells us God gave us—were meant to bring us joy. God so loved us that he gave us free will and then offered us guidelines—the Commandments—on how to mak... Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-19+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC How do people know you’re Catholic? Is it because of your jewelry, the crosses that dangle from your ears, or the really nice crucifix on the gold chain around your neck? Perhaps it’s the bumper sticker or the rosary swinging from your rearview mirror. Maybe the T-shirt or sweatshirt you’re wearing marks you as a believer, or the fact that you go to church every Sunday. Jesus says there’s only one thing that can truly identify you as a disciple, and that’s the lo... Sun, 18 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-18+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Living the gospel can be a thankless job. In fact, it can be downright dangerous. Persecution has been part of the life of Christians since the church began. Paul and the first disciples faced beatings, imprisonment, mockery, and derision. Yet something about their experience of God was so compelling that they couldn’t help but preach and live the Good News. Though understandably discouraged at times, and probably even doubtful, the early disciples persevered and, as scripture records, ... Sat, 17 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-17+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC What is troubling your heart today? In Christ we have the foundation that no stress can shake. Jesus spoke of his troubled heart in the garden before his Crucifixion. Yet not even death could keep him from the fulfillment God promised. The disciples worried about their world falling apart even after they encountered the risen Christ. Yet Jesus promised them “another Advocate,” his very Spirit, that would sustain them. This same Spirit is who you may draw on for support today and e... Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-16+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the gospels Jesus’ words are often directed to a particular group of people—the Pharisees and scribes, the crowds, his disciples. Most of us regularly hear the word of God in a large group, such as Sunday Mass, where, Vatican II reminds us, the presence of Christ in the Word is as real as in the Eucharist. But faith can also be enlivened in other gatherings, such as Bible study groups, small Christian communities, or simple discussions with family or friends. Paying attention t... Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-15+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Matthias was chosen by the remaining apostles to replace Judas following the latter’s betrayal of Jesus. Perhaps he could be thought of as the patron saint of later vocations. All are called by Jesus to bear fruit, and there are many ways to do so. But some fruit just takes a little longer than others to ripen. Those who come late to religious life bring with them a wealth of experience. Consider your own options and keep those discerning a religious vocation in your prayers. Learn m... Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-14+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Apathy and fear of failure are roadblocks on the spiritual journey. As th-century philosopher G.K. Chesterton notes, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been difficult; and left untried.” A lifetime exposed to the gospels, sacraments, saints, and moral teaching is often not enough to get us to the tipping point of committed discipleship. What will it take for us to get on board? “Don’t be afraid of the radicalness of God’s demands,... Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-13+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC There is nothing cuter than a fuzzy baby lamb. But what about when they get older and are bona-fide sheep? Not so much. Sheep aren’t the smartest or cuddliest of creatures. When left to their own devices they’ll wander, get lost or maimed, destroy their own pasture, and panic over just about anything. Unfortunately for us, it is sheep, not lambs, to which Jesus compares his followers. Smelly, erratic, hapless sheep. While we may have our cute, fuzzy moments, we also have many not-... Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-12+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The root of the word obey is akin to “hear.” People tend to think only about the second part of obedience—following the rules, submitting to another’s command. If the history of a word means anything, though, then the first part of obeying would be hearing. And in this sense hearing involves more than simply words entering one’s mind. It also includes listening: taking in what someone is saying and reflecting on it, making it part of who one is, learning. That pr... Sun, 11 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-11+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Thomas Aquinas, the church’s great brain, after years of pondering and problem-solving came to this stark conclusion: “All the efforts of the human mind cannot exhaust the essence of a single fly.” Of course that hasn’t stopped us from trying. But Thomas’ hard saying about the limits of knowledge is a good reminder for us when we’re seized with doubt and disbelief. So much of what we experience we will never fully understand. Nagging questions will go unans... Sat, 10 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-10+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Words have the power to bring life or death. For God, words breathe life into all creation. For Mary, a simple yes results in the Incarnation, the Word made flesh. Yet words can also be destructive. Pontius Pilate’s question, “Shall I crucify your king?” and Saul’s “murderous threats” of Christians both led to fear, suffering, and death. Examine the words you use regularly. Are they critical and condemning, or encouraging and gracious? The choice is yours. Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-09+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC So what exactly is manna from heaven? According to biblical accounts of the Exodus, manna was a sweet-tasting food that came down from heaven as the morning dew evaporated and nourished the Jewish people during their long desert sojourn. Manna provides a powerful symbol of the truth that God provides. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the coming of Jesus, who is the living bread—the manna extraordinaire—that has come down from heaven and offers eternal life. Enjoy the never-en... Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-08+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Christians who define their faith in limiting terms—“who’s out and who’s in,” for example—appear to have missed the memo from Christ that all are welcome at his table. Too often throughout history, and today as well, a desire for “religious purity” ends up hurting a lot of people who don’t fit the mold. Avoid exclusionary ideology. Remember the words of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is i... Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-07+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The Boy Scout Law contains points, the first of which states that a scout is trustworthy. BoyScoutTrail.com describes the quality in this way: “Being ‘Worthy of Trust’ means a promise made is a promise fulfilled. It means a scout will do what he says he will do. It means the scout will see things through to the end.” Not a bad character trait at all, is it? We are blessed to have a trustworthy God. Let’s “be prepared” every day to follow suit. Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-06+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Children often have that cherubic look—though they can be little devils sometimes! More rarely do we see that transcendent purity and beauty in the face of a grown-up. When we do glimpse it in the blazing appearance of a charismatic preacher, the gentle eyes of a wise elder, or even the loveliness of a stranger, it stirs in us a longing to learn more, to grow closer, perhaps even to follow. We cultivate our own heavenly appearance by keeping our gaze on God’s beautiful will. In fa... Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-05+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC There comes that time in our lives when our parents or grandparents become too old or sick to care for themselves, and they stretch out their hands to us. It then becomes our task to dress them as they once dressed us and to take them where they don’t wish to go as they many times took us where we didn’t want to go. It’s part of the coming of God’s kingdom when the last are first, the first are last, the children become the parents, and the parents become the children.... Sun, 04 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-04+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The name James—the Greek form of “Jacob”—graces four different people in the New Testament. One is James, a member of the apostles whom the church celebrates today along with his fellow apostle Philip. This first James and his brother John were business partners with Saint Peter. The three fishers also stuck together as a unit when they became the three apostles in Jesus’ inner circle. James was also the first of the apostles to be put to death for his faith, ... Sat, 03 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-03+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Athanasius, the champion of the Incarnation. Despite fierce opposition from church leaders who supported Arianism—the belief that God was God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit were lesser creatures—Athanasius upheld the doctrine of the Trinity and the full divinity of Christ. His theology prevailed. Yes, the belief that God left the divine realm and entered the messiness of human life is radical, but it is central to Christianity, according to Ath... Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-02+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC God’s generous abundance is obscured by the drumbeat of economic scarcity drilled into us daily; there will never be enough for everybody, we are led to believe. Theologian Walter Brueggemann deals with this subject, saying that when we forget that Jesus is the abundant bread of the world, we “start eating junk food. . . . The closer we stay to Jesus, the more we will bring a new economy of abundance to the world. The disciples often don’t get what Jesus is about . . . but P... Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-05-01+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC In the Early Church the apostles were jailed for speaking about Jesus—then liberated by an angel to go out and do it again. At that time testifying to the faith was dangerous. In many ways, it still is. Loving your enemy, caring for the poor, welcoming the stranger—these are acts that many find suspect and at odds with a push for profit and power. Take time to strengthen your faith through prayer, spiritual reading, and wise counsel. That way when it’s your turn to stand up ... Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-30+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Old habits don’t simply die hard: They have to be killed off quite deliberately. Most of us are not too happy about that. Nicodemus, the famously anonymous disciple who only came to Jesus after dark, couldn’t remain on the fence forever about his allegiances. He didn’t want to risk his position on the Sanhedrin by owning up to Jesus in public. But alas: There’s no such thing as a secret Christian. As Saint Catherine of Siena, whose feast we celebrate today, explains, &... Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-29+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Catholics understand "being born from above" as a spiritual rebirth through the sacrament of Baptism, where we are "born again" into a new life in Christ by the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit. This new life frees us from the fear of sin and death, as Baptism grants us eternal life and the forgiveness of our sins. In the Nicene Creed, we proclaim, “I acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.” However, Baptism marks o... Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-28+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC The apostle Thomas went from doubting to believing, all in a moment. Faith arrived in the form of a hands-on experience of Jesus. And it was no wonder Thomas had been in need of simple contact with the wounds of Christ. Nothing opens the heart and widens the capacity of our understanding like an encounter with wounded humanity. On this Sunday that ends the octave of Easter, engage the spirit of mercy by touching the wounded Christ in the world. Visit a sick friend, call a hurting family membe... Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-27+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jimmy was about or , and his parents had done their best to teach him to know and love Jesus. All seemed well until the Easter when Mom and Dad tried to explain the Resurrection. They hit a wall. Jimmy insisted, “Nope! When you’re dead, you’re dead.” While they had no idea where their son had picked up his fatalism, they assured him that they themselves believed Jesus had returned from the dead. Slowly, it seemed to sink in. All of a sudden Jimmy jumped up and grabb... Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-26+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC During a session on the sacrament of Confirmation, a candidate in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults commented, “Although I would not have known what to call it, I do know that I have felt the Holy Spirit with me ever since I can remember. I have always felt ‘watched over.’ For me it’s the security of knowing that everything is going to be all right. I never called it the Holy Spirit until recently.” Throughout scripture the Holy Spirit is described as i... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-25+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Stories of martyrdoms, conversions, healings, political power struggles, persecutions, and even miraculous prison escapes are gathered in the New Testament book called the Acts of the Apostles that we read through the Easter season. We discover the courage it took for these first followers of Jesus to continue his ministry despite fierce opposition from Jews, Greeks, and Romans alike. Their message of freedom and hope was considered countercultural and subversive. They faced numerous challeng... Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-24+00%3A00%3A00+UTC https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC Jesus offered his disciples two forms of knowledge, one through his words and the other through his being. When walking the road to Emmaus two of his disciples shared with a stranger the story of Christ’s Resurrection. These were two who had learned from the words of Christ. But not until they invited the stranger to dine with them did they recognize the person of Christ. We are told that he was “made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” Every Mass has two parts: the... Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://vocationnetwork.org/tf_daily?tf_daily=2025-04-23+00%3A00%3A00+UTC