Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

The Catholic vote and the coronavirus subtly headlined the annual fundraiser of the 75th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner Oct. 1, livestreamed from the Manhattan residence of New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan due to COVID-19…Cardinal Dolan, in the benediction at the virtual Al Smith dinner, said: “God bless America, land that we love. God bless our two candidates, keeping them safe and vigorous these important weeks of democracy in action. God mend thine every flaw — the sickness, the tensions, the continued challenges to justice, peace, unity, protection of life and international reconciliation…Speaking first, Biden said, “These are difficult times for our country,” citing “a pandemic, a recession, a reckoning on race, a changing climate. With each crisis, our faith is tested.”…Trump said, “When the virus came in from China, we saw New Yorkers respond with the same grit and tenacity, courage and selflessness that have always defined this city that we love so much…Nearly six hours after the event, just before 1 a.m. Oct. 2, Trump tweeted that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus.The breaking news brought tweets offering prayers for their quick recovery, including from the cardinal, who after thanking the president and Biden for joining the dinner virtually added: “Please also join me in praying for the President, @FLOTUS Melania Trump, & all who suffer from or are affected by Covid-19.”

although i am dealing with “great things that I do not understand” as we seem to experience “the full force of the enemy”, is it not a certainty that GOD has given us “the power” to bring about a greater good?

Today’s Scriptures

Job answered the LORD and said:…I have dealt with great things that I do not understand;…Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job

more than his earlier ones.

JB 42:1,3B, 10

R. (135) Lord, let your face shine on me.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,

that I may learn your statutes.

PS 119:71

Behold, I have given you the power

‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions

and upon the full force of the enemy

and nothing will harm you.

LK 10:19