This week’s Gospel is about preparedness and having our priorities straight.

This week’s Gospel tells the story of the rich man who continues to grown both his harvest and the barns in which he stores it. Jesus reminds him, though, that it could all be lost at any time.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray, and provides us with the words for the “Our Father.”

In the past year, I have heard story after story—in the news, from friends and families and even at my own dinner table—about kids being bullied. It’s rampant. It’s everywhere. As we’ve unfortunately witnessed time and time again, it can be deadly.

And it needs to stop.

I know, I know. Bullying has gone on for years. I’m sure most of us can recount a story of it from our youth. There are even debates as to whether the media are jumping on the stories of suicides brought on by bullying and overblowing the concept of kids being “bullied to death.”

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus encourages the anxious and worried Martha to follow the example of Mary and take the time to just sit and listen. What a good lesson for all of us.

The well-known story of the Good Samaritan is highlighted in this week’s Gospel. It calls each of us to care for others.