November 11, 2026
Wednesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time, Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours
Gospel: Luke 17:11–19

Today is Wednesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time. The Church today celebrates the Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours. The recently published Roman Missal tells us: St Martin (316–397) was born to pagan parents at Szombathely (now in Hungary, but then in the Roman province of Pannonia) and served as a soldier. At the age of eighteen he was baptized and, around this time, met a naked beggar to whom he gave half his cloak. That night he had a dream in which the Lord Jesus was wearing that half-cloak. St Martin founded a monastery and became Bishop of Tours (France). He was one of the first non-martyrs to be widely venerated by the faithful.

Today’s Gospel passage from Saint Luke presents a dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees. In this exchange, Jesus speaks with the Pharisees about the end times. Let us reflect.

At times, like the Pharisees, we too expect the coming of the Kingdom of God to be spectacular and visible, like a change of political regime. We hold this notion because we are accustomed to interpreting God’s actions through a worldly, political, and external framework, rather than viewing the unfolding of history with the eyes of faith and according to the teaching of God’s holy Word. The logic of this world pursues visible power, glory, and pomp, placing its hope in changes that the eye can see. Yet the word of God tells us that His Kingdom does not consist in outward display, but in truth and life. Whoever believes in Him, is incorporated into Him through Holy Baptism, and lives in Him—though his perishable body, by reason of its material nature, returns to dust, the soul that dwells within that perishable body receives eternal life through Him.

Dear brothers and sisters! Since our final end lies not in any passing thing of this changing world, but in eternal life, it is only through fervent penance and persevering prayer that we can obtain from God the strength to conquer concupiscence. As our faith grows strong, we shall be able to take up our cross courageously, follow Christ, and walk the path of holiness. Thus we shall no longer set our hearts on anything this fading world offers, but lifting our minds on high, we shall yearn for heavenly things, longing for the day when we may gather with the saints in the dwelling place of eternal blessedness, to praise and glorify the Lord forever.

O God, who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin
both by his life and death,
make new, we pray,
the wonders of your grace in our hearts,
that neither death nor life
may separate us from your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica