Blessed are those who fear the Lord.--Psalm 128:(see 1)
Mass readings: Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31 / 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 / Matthew 25:14-30 or 25:14-15,19-21
My breath catches in my throat as I write these words. A friend of mine just met a Haitian nun who rescues babies from the dump where they've been tossed. This sister gathers up these ''throw-away babies'' and cares for them. My mind turns to my newest granddaughter, not yet three months old. Her precious face and innocent soul radiate with the image of God. It's unfathomable that someone ever tosses aside such goodness, such life. Yet people do.
And a woman of God steps in. In a remote part of the world, a woman, who is not anyone's wife or mother, lives out Proverbs 31. How fitting are the final verses in today's first reading: ''Give her a reward for her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.''
Prayer: Lord Jesus, protect all babies and those who care for them.