2026/10/18 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

- Emily Kaiser, Manager of Discipleship & Engagement

In Sunday's second reading, we pray that we are unceasingly calling to mind God’s work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ. But what does it mean to have endurance in hope? How do we find strength in hope? As I write this reflection, I am watching the Chicago marathon runners run by on a beautiful October morning. I remember from my own experiences running the marathon the endurance needed to run 26.2 miles. It's a strength of the mind, body, and heart that I had never known before crossing that start line. It takes a lot of training to have the endurance to run a marathon. The recipe for success is essentially lots of miles, strength training, and hydration. There are additional ingredients that some might need to build endurance depending on their own circumstances. For me, it was physical therapy, and I don't know if I would have had the same ability to get to the finish line without it.

While each of our recipes for having endurance in hope might have some of the same ingredients – daily prayer, trust in God, discernment – sometimes our endurance in hope might require a little extra. Perhaps it is extra time in adoration, reading scripture, or spending time in service to others. It is important here to remember that we can't wait until we need the extra endurance to strengthen our faith. Imagine if I had waited halfway through the race to realize I needed to start hydrating! It was my preparedness of hydrating throughout training and during the right moments in the race that gave me the endurance I needed. In my faith journey, the time I spend in prayer now will give me the extra strength I need when life gets difficult. And in those moments of difficulty, I hope I’m reminded of Paul’s wonderful words, “unceasingly” calling to mind that God and His love for us at all times will give us strength.