WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, OCTOBER 14, 2026
Responsorial Psalm
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
REFLECTION
"Blessed the man who delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night."
A few weeks ago, I was stopped by the police for speeding. As I sat in my car, expecting a ticket and all the hassles that would come with it, the police officer seemed to be taking longer than expected. I began to wonder, Am I in more trouble than I thought?
Fortunately for me, he could not get the printer in his car to work, so instead of receiving a ticket, I received a verbal warning.
Today's Psalm made me think of that encounter with the law: "Blessed the man who delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night."
Yes, I was certainly happy that I did not receive a ticket. But looking back, I realize that the greater blessing was the reminder I received. I had been speeding, and the law was there for a reason--to protect me and to protect others.
Sometimes we think of laws only as restrictions or punishments. But good laws are meant to guide us, protect us, and keep us on the right path. In the same way, God's law is not given to burden us. It is given because He loves us and desires what is good for us.
And then there is mercy!!
The mercy of God overwhelms me at times because I can so easily demand justice when I see the faults of others, yet, I am deeply grateful when mercy is shown to me for my own faults and sins.
How quickly we can say, "They should know better," while hoping that God will look upon us and say, "I forgive you. Begin again."
When we remain close to the Lord, His Word nourishes us, corrects us, strengthens us and leads us back when we wander off. God loves us and His mercy continually calls us back to Him. Listen, obey and follow.
One of the simplest exercises we can do throughout the day is:
Breathing Jesus
Breathe in: Jesus.
Hold Him close.
Breathe out, and
Share His love with others.
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