Daily Reflection
October 12, 2026

For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm 
and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. - Galatians 4

This generation is an evil generation; 
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, 
except the sign of Jonah. 
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, 
so will the Son of Man be to this generation. … 
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, 
and there is something greater than Jonah here. – Luke 11

I imagine that many of us could confess that we have asked for a sign now and then. We might have said or thought, “Show me something concrete and I’ll believe or change or I’ll do what you want.” We may have been facing a dilemma, a choice, and asked for a sign about what to do.

Jesus is telling us that he’s given us all we need in the gospels, which offer us what he has to say to us about how we can live life in union with him and how we can respond to the challenges, questions, doubts and fears. The last thing Jesus said to his disciples was, “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Everything we need to know is offered to us daily. Jesus told us who he is and explained the mystery of life. Jesus revealed to us the power of his victory over all sin and death.

As I write this, I just read the words of Pope Leo at Lourdes before a throng of the sick in a night time precession of lights.

“The light that guides us and draws us onward is the light of hope, which never abandons us even as we journey through this life — a life often marked by trials, yet already filled with the joy of knowing ourselves to be children of God, loved and saved by Jesus. Those who are sick are privileged witnesses to this transfiguration of our lives through faith and love of God and neighbor.”

Here’s two personal examples I recently experienced. A cousin of mine died suddenly leaving children and a family grieving her loss. Someone said to me, “Doesn’t it make you wonder what God is thinking?” I gently said, “God didn’t cause this tragedy, but God redeemed it, in Jesus.”

I recently had to make a difficult medical decision. It troubled me for a while, but in prayer, I came to a peaceful, freer place, and trusted that, whatever happened, I would be in the hands of a loving God. I remembered the words of my mother before the surgery whose complications ultimately took her life: “The worst thing that could happen to me is that I would meet your father with the Lord, sooner than I’d planned.” The witness of her faith strengthened me with hope and trust.

Dearest Lord, Jesus, too often we ask you for a sign, when you’ve already given us all we need to know. Give us eyes to recognize your presence among us always and to place our trust in your love and grace. And when things seem uncertain, offer us the faith of Mary, the Saints, parents and loved ones who have lived lives full of faith and trust in you. Allow us the grace to put our lives in your hands every day. Amen.