Daily Gospel Reflection
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November 29, 2025
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Anxiety—we all experience it. But why? What do we have to be anxious about? The being who created the entire world, the sea and sky, the mountains and valleys, all the animals, and all modern technology also created us. God cares specifically about each of us and our anxieties, whatever they may be. This passage tells us not to become “drowsy” from the “anxieties of daily life.” The Holy Spirit is reminding us that whatever may be troubling us today is no match for God.
One part of life that makes me the most anxious is flying on airplanes. As a Notre Dame student from New Jersey, I have to fly relatively often, and I have done my best to ensure that my plane anxiety never stops me from getting where I want to go. To do so, I rely on God. I am actually getting on a plane tomorrow and will be praying my way through takeoff and landing, giving any of my anxiety over to God. A prayer as simple as “Come, Holy Spirit” or a Hail Mary helps recenter my focus away from what is troubling me and to the God who cares for me. Praying through the anxieties of my day draws me closer to the way, the truth, and the life, and is something I cannot recommend enough.
So today, right now, and throughout your day, I encourage you to think about what you are anxious about and give it to God. Say a quick prayer and see how your faith can save you.
Prayer
O God, our life can be overwhelming at times. We are filled with anxiety, distracted by sin, and fall into complacency. Grant us the grace and strength to be faithful to you. Help us to remember the promise of your kingdom and the glory that awaits us. Keep us ever vigilant in the life that you call us to. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Saturninus was a popular name in the late antique Roman empire, so there are several obscure saints who all bear that name. At least two potential candidates are the saints with the name Saturninus who we honor today, and both were martyred in the first centuries of the Church. Relics of St. Saturninus rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, but it is unclear which Saturninus the relics belong to.
The legend of Saints Perpetua and Felicity tells of a priest, Saturninus, who was one of their companions and ministered to them during their time in prison, comforting them as they prepared for martyrdom and he anticipated his own. This may or may not be the same Saturninus as Saturninus of Rome.
Saturninus of Rome was a priest who ministered with Sisinius, a deacon. They were imprisoned during a period of persecution of Christians, potentially during the reign of Septimius Severus and forced into manual labor before being tortured and killed, most likely around the year 203 AD.
Saturninus of Toulouse was the first bishop of the city of Toulouse in France, and was known to have converted many with his preaching and by working miracles. One of the popular cults in the late Roman empire was the cult of Mithras. The cult of Mithras was a popular "mystery religion," which featured secret initiation rites and cultic sacrifice. A temple to Mithras had long stood at the heart of Toulouse but Saturninus’ presence and preaching offended the priests there. They seized him and told him to offer sacrifice to Mithras or face death. Saturninus chose death, saying, “I worship only one God, and I am ready to offer a sacrifice of praise.” They tied him to a bull that was to be sacrificed at the temple and then prodded the animal to run through the streets until Saturninus was dead. Saturninus was thought to have been martyred around the year 257 AD.
Churches were built over the bodies of both of these saints in their respective cities.
St. Saturninus, who showed great dedication to God, even under the threat of death—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Saturninus is in the public domain. Last accessed October 18, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
