Our brothers and sisters can be some of the greatest blessings in our lives, but can also cause us pain. Whichever reality we are experiencing right now, God desires to listen and to be present to our concerns for our siblings.

Oxen have been used in farming for a very long time to pull plows and tractors. When Jesus tells us to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me,” he is saying he wants to help carry our heavy burdens in life.

We are surrounded by so much noise on a daily basis. Some of it is unavoidable, some of it is self-imposed. It’s almost as if we’re afraid of the quiet.

Dorothy Day was a social activist, pacifist, Catholic worker, and peacemaker. She lived at a time that reflected social injustice against others, and she actively refused to fade into all the noise.

By her mid-30s, Sister Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) had a track record as a leader, overseeing a community of Indian women religious affiliated with her community and serving as a school principal.

The apostle Paul counsels the Philippians to shine like stars in the world, reflecting God’s love in their values and behavior (Phil 2:15).

In today’s Gospel reading from Luke (21:25), Jesus tells his disciples about the coming of the Son of Man in some rather chilling terms: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.”

The puzzle piece I carry with me today will remind me to search for a good fit no matter what the day's experiences bring.

Family can encompass friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Sometimes a kind word is all that’s required to strengthen family bonds.