October 3, Saturday Weekday

The Lord listens to the poor.-- Psalm 69:34

Mass readings: Baruch 4:5-12,27-29 / Luke 10:17-24

Defining Success

Today's Gospel is a follow-up on Thursday's: the sending of the 72. Those first missionaries come back and they couldn't be happier. The demons obey them! (And, tying in with yesterday's feast of guardian angels, we can mention that demons are fallen angels, those who chose to disobey God.)

Jesus doesn't tell them they're wrong to be happy about that new-found power but He does say they need to focus on what really matters. Their ''names are written in heaven.'' In other words, they can't measure their success on what happens now. Their vocation is to do what God has invited them to do even when it seems to meet with little or no success. That's each of our vocations, too.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me realize doing Your will is what really matters.