17 September 2026 Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial) Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial) Gospel: Luke 7:31-35
Today is Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorials of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, and Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.
Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was born in Montepulciano, Italy, and joined the Society of Jesus. He was later created a Cardinal and served briefly as Archbishop of Capua. His greatest legacy, however, lies in his work as a theologian and controversialist, particularly in defending the Church against Protestant critics. He was canonized in 1930 and declared a Doctor of the Church the following year.
Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) entered the Benedictine Abbey of Disibodenberg in Germany at a young age. She later became an abbess and founded several monasteries. Known as the “Sibyl of the Rhine,” she was a polymath whose extensive writings covered mystical theology, poetry, linguistics, natural science, and medicine. She also composed plays and musical works, many of which survive. Unusual for a woman of her time, she travelled widely, corresponded with popes, and even preached in cathedrals and market squares. Saint Hildegard died on 17 September 1179 at the monastery of Rupersburg in Bingen. Pope Benedict XVI declared her a Doctor of the Church in 2012.
Today’s Gospel passage from Saint Luke presents Jesus’ teaching during a meal at the house of a Pharisee, where He grants forgiveness to a woman who anointed His feet. I would like to offer some reflections on this passage.
We know that the scribes and Pharisees were among the Jews most learned in Sacred Scripture. The Pharisees were experts in the Law of God and its interpretation. They taught the people through parables and, in expounding the Law, incorporated the precepts of the elders, customs, and what they termed the “tradition of the ancestors.” Yet, on this occasion, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to his home failed to observe a customary tradition: he did not offer water to wash Jesus’ feet, a ritual of purification. In contrast, the woman, moved by deep love for Jesus, transcended the traditions upheld by the Pharisees. With her tears, she bathed His feet, dried them with her hair, and anointed them with ointment (cf. Luke 7:44-47). By her faith and love for Jesus, her sins were forgiven. Through the actions of this woman, Luke exhorts the Christian community of his time—and invites us today—to demonstrate our love for God through concrete deeds. He further calls us to remember that faith in God is not a mere slogan. Like the woman in the Gospel, we are invited to trust firmly in God at every stage of life and in every circumstance, we encounter, especially in moments of deepest darkness. Our God, rich in mercy, is ever ready to extend His hand to help, forgive, and set us free when we are most in need.
Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all our heart. 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
September 16, 2026 Memorial of Pope Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, Bishop Gospel: Luke 7:31–35
Today is Wednesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time. On this day the Church celebrates the Memorial of Pope Saint Cornelius and Saint Cyprian, Bishop. As the recently published Roman Missal tells us: Saint Cornelius (+253) succeeded Saint Fabian as Pope and vigorously opposed the errors of Novatian, who denied that those who had lapsed from the faith could be reconciled. He died while in exile at Civitavecchia, Italy (Civitavecchia), and is venerated as a martyr. Saint Cyprian (+258) was another leading opponent of Novatianism. He was Bishop of Carthage and one of the earliest victims of the persecution under Emperor Valerian. Both saints are included in the Roman Canon.
The Mass Gospel for today is taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke. In this passage, Jesus uses a parable to set forth for us the distinction between the children of this generation and the children of God. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.
In our daily lives, we often have occasions to observe innocent children as they talk among themselves about the lives they dream of living. When we listen to their conversations, we frequently think that all they say seems like the ramblings of fools — scarcely attainable — and so, like the people of Jesus’ own time, we come to regard everything proclaimed by Jesus and His Precursor, Saint John the Baptist, as something far beyond our reach. We may even think that all Jesus proclaims to the world has little to do with us. Today, Jesus compares His contemporaries to children sitting in the marketplace, and to the dialogue exchanged between these children — a dialogue that reveals the very qualities of those who choose to embrace the Gospel He proclaims. Those who are willing to accept the Gospel He proclaims long to enter the Kingdom of Heaven of which He speaks: an eternal Kingdom composed of a God who loves and people who are loved by God; a Kingdom where there are no longer rulers and ruled, but all are brothers and sisters; an eternal Kingdom that no longer perpetuates the order, the lands, and the borders of this passing world. These who long to enter the Kingdom proclaimed by Jesus are simple like children, and they proclaim the joyful tidings of the Gospel to those who belong to the old order. But those of the old order, judging from their own perspective, say of Jesus: “He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” (cf. Luke 7:34). Yet those who belong to the new order — they confess Jesus Christ as Lord; they often meditate upon the Word of God; they constantly deepen their communion with Jesus through prayer; and, in the light and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they experience and discern the will of God, living out the joy of the Gospel — thereby proving that they are children of Wisdom.
O God, who gave Saints Cornelius and Cyprian to your people as diligent shepherds and valiant Martyrs, grant that through their intercession we may be strengthened in faith and constancy and spend ourselves without reserve for the unity of the Church. 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.
September 15, 2026 Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows Gospel: Jn 19:25–27 or Lk 2:33–35
Today is Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time. Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. As the recently published Roman Missal tells us, this feast originated as a memorial of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, most of which were linked to the events of Good Friday, when she stood at the foot of the Cross. We remember that the Blessed Virgin Mary had to live through the piercing grief of seeing her own Son die. She had a unique share in our redemption, offering her Son’s life to the Lord and trusting that it was part of his plan.
For today’s Mass, there are two choices for the Gospel: the prophecy that Simeon spoke to the Blessed Mother when she presented Jesus in the Temple (cf. Lk 2:33–35), and the dialogue on the Cross between Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the disciple whom he loved (cf. Jn 19:25–27). The two Gospel passages complement one another, and together they form a vivid portrait of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s most perfect offering of herself to the redemptive work of Jesus.
When the Blessed Virgin Mary heard Simeon’s prophecy, she did not express surprise, still less resistance; she chose to accept it. When our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, she remained close to her beloved Son, without a word of complaint. She willingly accepted the disciple whom Jesus loved as her own son, fully revealing her maternal love and making us blessed indeed to call her our Mother.
Today, in celebrating the Memorial of the Sorrowful Mother, the Church means to remind us to imitate the Blessed and most holy Virgin Mary at every moment of our lives—to carry out the will of God always, to stay close to our Lord Jesus Christ always, and to be ready at all times to offer ourselves, so as to fulfill the mission that the Savior has entrusted to us. And now, let us lift up our prayer to God:
O God, who willed that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross, his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering, grant that your Church, participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ, may merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
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