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As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
It is often hard for me to see how God is working. I go through long periods of difficulty which test my faith, crying out, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Then, all of a sudden, I experience a wave of spiritual consolation- like the leper who, “realizing he had been healed, returned.” In these moments, I thank God, even “glorifying God in a loud voice.”
But then, the cycle repeats, and once again, it is hard for me to see how God is acting. I wonder why God leaves me in seasons of spiritual drought and doesn’t seem to answer my prayers. Recently, I decided to try a new journaling technique to address this issue.
When I journal, I write down “problems for God to work out” and “things I am grateful for.” The next time I journal, I revisit the previous entries and mark down any times that God has solved a problem for me! These items also serve as “things I am grateful for” in my next entry. After only a short time of doing this activity, I began to see just how many prayers God was answering regularly. The number of requests I made in prayer that God answered quickly but that I promptly forgot was shocking to me.
This data is helping me retrain my thought patterns—approaching life knowing that God is always acting and is always to be glorified and thanked—is helping me see even more ways that this is true. Giving thanks to God is an act of faith. It is a proclamation about God’s nature and overflowing love for us that helps us see and understand ever more deeply the truth of that love, even when contrary forces want us to think differently.
Mercy, Lord! We ask for your mercy! How many times have we begged you, O Jesus, for healing, for health, for conversion, for a miracle? Ten lepers were made clean, but only one of the lepers even saw that he was made well. Even though we are often blind to your grace, to your love, to your healing, you shower it upon us still. You rain down abundant love and blessing on even the hardest of hearts. And we are filled with joy and with gratitude because you are good. We prostrate before you, O Christ, and we thank you! Amen.
A PODCAST BY FAITH ND
Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM
We conclude this season with the unique perspective of Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM, a physician and Navy veteran who discovered a latent call to religious life with the Religious Sisters of Mercy.
Kristin Komyatte Sheehan
Having spent much of her time cheering from various sidelines, Kristin Komyatte Sheehan ’90 offers a seasoned perspective on the place of faith and virtues in all types of athletics.
Tim and Ryan O’Neill
Share in the music and story of The O’Neill Brothers, who have touched many lives through their talents on the piano as well as more recently by establishing a family foundation.
Laura Kelly Fanucci
We next share the story of Laura Kelly Fanucci ’03, a Catholic author whose joy shines even through moments of deep suffering, giving witness to an integrated life of love and compassion for others.
Dr. Craig Humphreys
Travel from Alaska to Africa with Dr. Craig Humphreys ’86 as he describes finding God in nature, the love of his family, and the people he has served around the world.
Fr. Joe Carey, CSC
Whether in the residence halls, wedding churches, or teaching communities of the Alliance for Catholic Education, Fr. Joe Carey, CSC, has become a resource, friend, and spiritual mentor to so many over the years.
Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas
We begin Season 12 with the beautiful and sometimes heart-rending story of Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas, a married couple who have combined their lives after the shared cross of losing their first spouses to a rare illness.
Prof. Margaret Pfeil
Season 11 concludes with Prof. Margaret Pfeil, including her long-time commitments of living at the local Catholic Worker community, advocating for peace, and seeking justice for all of God’s people.
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC, shares the moments that eventually led him to a vocation in religious life and priesthood, along with a specific ministry of forming aspiring Catholic teachers.
Avis Boyd
We continue this season with Avis Boyd, a longtime volunteer and alumna of Notre Dame, as she shares her perspective on moving through life with purpose, conviction, and a deep faith, even in the face of adversity.
Tim and Lindsay Will
Meet Tim and Lindsay Will, two graduates of the Alliance for Catholic Education program, who help us contemplate the meaning of loss, love, and the family ties that bind us to one another.
Dr. Andrew McShane
Hear the story of Dr. Andrew McShane, Director of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, as he reflects on a vocation that took shape over time through beautiful music, unexpected loss, and the lasting example of others.
Nan Tulchinsky
Sit courtside with Nan Tulchinsky, a longtime scorekeeper for Notre Dame Women’s and Men’s Basketball, as she shares stories of her remarkable life of dedication to her family, local community, and Catholic faith.
Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR
We begin a new season with Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, as he shares his path towards religious life and priesthood, co-founding a new expression of Franciscan life, and the unexpected calling of a new ministry.
Veronica Alonzo
We complete this season by speaking with Veronica Alonzo, Associate Superintendent for the Dallas Catholic Schools, about discovering meaning in personal loss, her vocation as an educator, and perspectives on Catholic education.
Dr. Jim O’Connell
Walk the streets of Boston with Dr. Jim O’Connell as he describes his long path to a medical career and the surprising, longstanding vocation of serving others through the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program.
Lisa Orchen
Lisa Orchen details her calling to ministry in the Church and how that has changed over the years as the demands of life have shifted, always requiring continual discernment of God’s will.
Jessica Mannen Kimmet
Explore the themes of motherhood with Jessica Mannen Kimmet, a musician and author, who has written a book with the intention of helping mothers who are experiencing similar crosses to ones she has carried.
Fr. Bill Lies, CSC
Journey with Fr. Bill Lies, CSC, Provincial Superior of the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers for the Congregation of Holy Cross, as he offers stories of his family, vocational call, and perspective from various leadership positions.
Jeremy and Molly Aranda
Meet Molly and Jeremy Aranda, a married couple who describe the many ups and downs of life, including challenging pregnancies, financial strain, and sickness, all while striving to remain faithful to God’s calling in their lives.
Patrick Garry
Patrick Garry, author of The Power of Gratitude, shares the stories and the lifelong lessons of his parents, Michael and Elizabeth Garry, whose lives were marked by sacrifice for others and giving thanks in all circumstances.
Lisa Hendey
We conclude this season with Lisa Hendey, founder of Catholicmom.com, as she describes her spiritual journey, which has included being a wife and mother, a Catholic writer and content producer, and recently, someone bearing the cross of breast cancer.
Alex Jones
Alex Jones, co-founder and CEO of Hallow, shares the inspiring story of the struggle and growth of his spiritual life, eventually leading to the creation of one of the most well-utilized Catholic apps in the world today.
Meghann Kirzeder
Hear the perspective of Meghann Kirzeder, a wife, mother, and musician, whose life has taken some unexpected turns as she cares for her beautiful children, including three with significant special needs.
We welcome you to submit your prayers for yourself and others. A volunteer will offer them on your behalf at the Grotto, where a candle representing all prayer requests remains perpetually lit.
Daily Gospel Reflection
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