October 1, 2024
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus
Resolute Determination
…he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem…
Luke 9:51

Pre-COVID, I was very disciplined. I did what had to be done, when it had to be done, whether I liked it or not. During COVID, however, I gave in to complete self-indulgence. I think it was all that uncertainty that had me self-soothing through eating, sleeping and watching Netflix to excess. Needless to say, the new me is NOT improved. I now procrastinate like you wouldn’t believe!

Jesus never was one to procrastinate. Even when it came to his own passion and death, he marched toward it with resolute determination. It wasn’t in his makeup to put his own comfort first and avoid the hard things in life. He knew his road to Calvary was the path to salvation for all.

May we all take this stance of resolute determination, no matter what difficult thing we’re facing. When we put our own comfort aside and carry out our responsibilities as an act of love, we accept God’s will for our lives and glorify him through our obedience.

- Claire McGarry

Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 ✚ Psalm 88:2-8 ✚ Luke 9:51-56
View of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Image by Marina | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

Comments

October 2, 2024 at 09:32 PM

Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

October 1, 2024 at 09:51 PM

God the Son, Jesus was never in a hurry or a delay…may be according to human perspectives!!! He is patient, purposeful, powerful, perfect, persistent, peaceful, and praiseworthy ✝️ *** Jesus came as a baby 700 years after Isaiah prophecy fulfilling Isaiah 9:6, “A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And He will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.” And He lived like you and me for 30 years before He started His ministry ✝️ *** How many times did Jesus say, “My time has not yet come!”? What time was He talking about? ✝️ *** Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember what happened in the past. Think about what took place long ago. I am God. There is no other God. I am God. There is no one like Me. Before something even happens, I announce how it will end. In fact, from times long ago I announced what was still to come. I say, ‘My plan will succeed. I will do anything I want to do.’” ******* God has a plan, a plan of long ago!!! No one can change it or hurry it or delay it! It will always be right on time, God’s time that is :-) *** Habakkuk 2:3, “The message I give you waits for the time I have appointed. It speaks about what is going to happen. And all of it will come true. It might take a while. But wait for it. You can be sure it will come. It will happen when I want it to!” *** Isaiah 60:22c, “At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” *** 2 Peter 3:8-9, “Dear friends, here is one thing you must not forget. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years. And a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow to keep His promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it. Instead, He is patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, He wants all people to turn away from their sins!” Amen ♥️

October 1, 2024 at 05:36 PM

A very powerful reflection Claire, it spoke straight into my heart. Amen

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 07:01 PM

I'm so glad it resonated with you, Patrick. Your comment means a lot. Thank you!

October 1, 2024 at 10:21 AM

Happy Glorious St Therese Day to everyone! Your devotional today was excellent, Claire. Thank you so much.Took a few moments to study todays’s beautiful image. Where does our path lead us? If we just keep walking, enjoying the moment, but without stopping, we’ll find out what Jesus’s everlasting plan is for His Beloved children. A quote and explanation from Beloved St Therese of Lisieux. “Love can supply for length of years.Jesus, because He is Eternal, regards not the time, but only the Love.” To the Lord, time is not of the essence. Since we are created beings, obviously made within the context of time, we don’t understand this. Everything we do is centered around time -our schedules,appointments,and various activities. But God exists out of time, so it is irrelevant to Him. It seems this may be why He sends His Spirit to move in our hearts at moments we deem to be inconvenient or inopportune. He wants our hearts to remain open and receptive to His grace, and only a heart that is open to Love can do this, as St Therese reminds us.Love to all the LFF and those they love.

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 06:54 PM

Thank you for your kind words, Peggy. Your comment is full of so many nuggets of wisdom. Thank you so much!

October 1, 2024 at 09:30 AM

Thank you all for your prayers! Not long before we voted on our new director, one of the candidates withdrew her nomination and the board voted unanimously for the woman I believed was the better. We asked for a sign, and He clearly gave it. She is a godly woman who has given the last nine years to our mission. There are over 200 Family Promise affiliates all over the country. If you are interested, the national website is familypromise.org. Thank you again for your prayers!

October 1, 2024 at 09:22 AM

Claire thank you for your inspiration. Words that help me to look at both sides of that coin. I am the opposite because I want everything done and out of the way but then I get so set on things being done I don't slow down and listen to what God has in store for me and enjoy the moment I am in. hmmmmmmm Maybe taking each day as it comes and listening to Gods word is the ultimate faith to have? I don't want to miss any message he has for me. Blessings to all the LFF especially those needing an extra hand these days. May we all listen to God and his plan for us and spread his world though all the world.

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 06:48 PM

I love how you came at this from the opposite direction, Stormi. I suppose whenever we live in one extreme or the other, we're not living our lives the way He wants. May we all move more towards center where His grace abounds.

October 1, 2024 at 09:06 AM

AMEN!

October 1, 2024 at 08:58 AM

I'm the "queen" of procrastination ---- cramming at the last minute to get things done. Things always get done but I know they do only with God's help. Maybe things will change----despite humanly knowing the torture and pain he would endure on the way to the Cross, he did not procrastinate but forged ahead. Thank you for your devotion today. Maybe when I think of waiting to do anything in my life, I'll remember Jesus' forging ahead to his death for a mere mortal sinner like me. Thank you

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 06:44 PM

Thank you, Sharon, for adding to my reflection in such a beautiful way. I too need to think of what He did for me as motivation to to do what I should. Whatever sacrifice I have to make in that process will never compare to His.

October 1, 2024 at 08:25 AM

Thank you, Claire, your reflection couldn't have come at a better time. I have been a bit spoiled over the last year or so, having enough nurses to care for my son each day and even having every other weekend for my husband and I to get away. Now we are facing a shortage with our husband-and-wife team both struggling with their health issues and 2 others wanting to retire. I pray that in the days ahead without nurses to help I will put my own comfort aside and carry out my responsibilities as an act of love, and accept God’s will for my live and glorify him through my obedience. LFF, Please continue to pray for Chris, Terri and my mom, Marie. Thank you and have a Blessed Day!

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 06:42 PM

Praying you feel strength and fortitude as God equips you for the road ahead. It seems to me you have a wonderful attitude and perspective, EN. May that and God's grace set you up for success, no matter what the future holds.

Stormi
October 1, 2024 at 09:31 AM

EN prayers for your road ahead to be a smooth transition. Change is hard but hopes that those changes are comfortable and maybe even better. Continued prayers for your mom, Terri and Chris.

October 1, 2024 at 07:52 AM

"Resolute determination". I hear these words and wonder about my path in life. Do I take the path well traveled or go on another. Amen!

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 06:39 PM

Praying you feel God's guidance,Gary, on the right path to take and then follow it with resolute determination.

October 1, 2024 at 07:52 AM

Amen. :)

October 1, 2024 at 07:43 AM

Amen & thank you, Claire. Procrastination used to be my middle name but is now diminishing. "Lean on your Beloved because the soul who abandons themselves in the hands of Jesus in all they do, is carried in His arms." St. Clare of Assisi

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 06:35 PM

What a beautiful prayer, Irene! I love St. Clare and will use this prayer to break out of my own procrastionation. Thank you for sharing it!

October 1, 2024 at 06:19 AM

Amen.

October 1, 2024 at 06:06 AM

Good morning LFF... thank you Claire for placing resolute determination into perspective... sometimes a feeling comes over me to not to proceed to do things I've planned....I pray about this all the time, and today I will match forward with loads of determination...have a great day everyone

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 06:33 PM

You make a great point, Anne. There is a fine line between being resolved to do what we think we should be doing, and being flexible to the Spirit guiding us elsewhere. I believe that if our intention is good and our ear is atuned to His voice, we do end up following His will no matter where the day takes us.

Claire McGarry
October 1, 2024 at 06:31 PM

I'm thrilled my reflection filled you with resolute determination today, Cheryl! I hope you were successful with what you hoped to accomplish.

Anne
October 1, 2024 at 08:25 AM

Thank you Claire for today’s devotion. It is good to plan our day or week but at the same time we have to remain open to the possibility that God has something else in mind for us that day. Perhaps a sick friend would be comforted by a visit, or one of our children isn’t feeling well and needs to be picked up from school, or our spouse could use our help with a project. Sometimes it’s more difficult to be flexible with our own plans than to put them aside for others. It reminds me of the saying, “Man proposes, but God disposes.”

View of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Image by Marina | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

STAY CONNECTED

Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.

Most popular devotions

Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email

About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us

© 2024 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.