Daily Reflection
October 27, 2025

I often encourage students and my own children to give themselves some grace. Grace to make mistakes, to stumble, to not know or understand in the moment.  It seems so many of our expectations are shaped by a culture of immediacy and on-demand services. With a click of the mouse or tap on the phone, a world of information unfolds in seconds. We can place an order for items that arrive on our doorstep the next day and pick up groceries without getting out of the car. The speed of transactions is really amazing when you pause to think about it. However, a quick turnaround doesn’t always translate well to nor give space for contemplation. Making time to wonder and ponder seems to be a luxury but I am learning it is a necessity. The “pause” has been a helpful practice for me.

In today’s first reading, we are encouraged to give ourselves grace, time, and space to discern our choices. We are empowered to make choices that are thoughtful of others, aligned with our values, and reflective of who we aspire to be as children of God. There is room for imperfection as we take ownership of our decisions and consciously choose a path that leads to connection, purpose, and transformation. This is a process that can push against expectations of immediate fulfilment or satisfaction. Often times, the journey is indirect, challenging, and lengthy.

My aspiration for peace and purpose has been tossed to the curb on more than once occasion. Unrealistic expectations of others and myself coupled with worries about trivial matters have served more as distractions than direction. The Gospel cuts to the chase as Jesus calls out the hypocrisy of maintaining those expectations of rigid structure while inviting us to be open, caring, and other-centered. Our spiritual maturation is one of patience and grace. Easier advice to give than to internalize but aided by  a helpful pause here and there along the way.