MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 31, 2026

MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 31, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/monday-of-the-twenty-second-week-in-ordinary-time-year-a-august-31-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 31, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-31st/

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND NICODEMUS AND SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS, CARDINAL

HISTORY OF THE SAINTS SERIES ON YOUTUBE CHANNEL | https://www.youtube.com/@dailyreflectionswithphilomena

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Saints Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus, and Saint Raymond Nonnatus Here |

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | August 31, 2026 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-august-31-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on this last day of the month of August, the Gospel brings us into the synagogue at Nazareth, where Jesus proclaims His divine mission to set captives free, bring sight to the blind, and announce a year acceptable to the Lord. Today, as we offer our heartfelt gratitude to God for carrying us safely through every single day of this month, we celebrate Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two influential members of the Sanhedrin who overcame their fear, stepped out of secrecy, and boldly cared for the sacred Body of Our Lord in His burial. We also celebrate Saint Raymond Nonnatus, a heroic Mercedarian priest and Cardinal who gave his own freedom to ransom Christian captives, enduring severe torture for the sake of the Gospel. As we close this month and prepare to enter a new season, let us give thanks for God’s unfailing goodness, reject human fear, and commit to standing boldly for Christ with open and courageous hearts.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings for Monday, August 31, 2026 | Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102
Gospel: Luke 4:16-30

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 4:16-30

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”

“Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.’ Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, ‘Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.’ And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, ‘Is this not the son of Joseph?’ He said to them, ‘Surely you will quote me this proverb, “Physician, cure yourself,” and say, “Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.”‘ And he said, ‘Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.’ When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth and proclaims His divine mission in the synagogue by reading from the prophet Isaiah. Declaring, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing,” Jesus identifies Himself as the anointed Messiah sent to bring glad tidings, heal the brokenhearted, set captives free, and restore sight to the spiritually blind. However, the initial admiration of His townspeople quickly turns to hostility and fury when Jesus confronts their entitlement and lack of faith. Reminding them that God’s saving grace is extended beyond familiar boundaries to the receptive—just as Elijah was sent to the widow of Zarephath and Elisha cleansed Naaman the Syrian—Jesus exposes their closed hearts. Refusing to succumb to their anger as they attempt to hurl Him off a cliff, Jesus authoritatively passes through their midst, reminding us that God’s truth cannot be suppressed by human rejection.

In the First Reading, Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians that the power of the Gospel does not rely on human eloquence, worldly wisdom, or impressive rhetoric. Paul resolved to know nothing among them except “Jesus Christ, and him crucified,” approaching his ministry in weakness and fear so that their faith would rest solely on the power of God. The Responsorial Psalm echoes a profound love for God’s divine law through Psalm 119: “Lord, I love your commands.” It highlights that meditating on God’s Word and walking in His ways grants true wisdom, spiritual discernment, and protection from evil paths.

Together, these readings challenge us to examine how we receive Christ and His truth in our daily lives. We must guard our hearts against familiarity, spiritual pride, and resistance when God’s Word challenges our comfort zone. True wisdom is not found in human approval or clever speech, but in humble surrender to the Holy Spirit and an unyielding faith in the power of the Cross.

Do you sometimes allow familiarity or pride to hinder you from recognizing God’s power and presence in your life? How can you rely more on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than human wisdom today?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, anointed by the Holy Spirit to bring salvation, liberty, and healing to our lives. Forgive us for the times we have taken Your grace for granted, hardened our hearts against Your truth, or allowed spiritual pride and human opinion to cloud our faith. Grant us the humility to receive Your Word with open and expectant hearts, whether it comforts or corrects us. Fill us with the power of Your Spirit, as Saint Paul experienced, so that our lives may bear witness not to human wisdom, but to the transformative power of Christ crucified. May Your holy commandments be our daily meditation and guide us in the path of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 31ST:

Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus, and Saint Raymond Nonnatus | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-31st/

SAINTS JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AND NICODEMUS: The Gospels tell us that after the death of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus stepped forward in courage and reverence to bury the Lord. Joseph, a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin who had awaited the Kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate to request the Body of Christ. Nicodemus, who once sought Jesus at night to understand His teachings, brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes an offering of love and together they laid Jesus in the tomb.

Both men had been cautious disciples, hesitant to reveal their faith publicly, but at the darkest hour they showed extraordinary courage and devotion. Their act fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be buried among the rich (Isaiah 53:9). Tradition honors them as patrons of funeral directors and pallbearers, reminding us of the Christian duty of mercy toward the dead.

PRAYER: God of compassion, through the witness of Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, teach us to love and serve Christ with courage, especially when it is costly. May their example inspire us to reverence the Body of Christ in the Eucharist and in our brothers and sisters. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS, CARDINAL (1204–1240): Born in Catalonia, Spain, Raymond’s life began with tragedy his mother died during childbirth, and he was delivered by caesarean section, earning him the name Nonnatus (“not born”). Drawn to prayer from an early age, he joined the Mercedarian Order, founded to ransom Christians enslaved by Muslim captors. As Master General of the Order, Raymond personally freed hundreds of captives.

When his funds were exhausted, he offered himself in exchange for others’ freedom. Imprisoned and tortured, he continued to preach Christ, converting many even when his captors cruelly padlocked his lips to silence him. Eventually ransomed, Raymond returned to Spain, where Pope Gregory IX made him a cardinal. He died at the age of 36 on his way to Rome, remembered for his humility, courage, and love for the enslaved and suffering. He is venerated as the patron of expectant mothers, infants, midwives, obstetricians, and those falsely accused.

PRAYER: Lord God, You gave Saint Raymond Nonnatus a heart of mercy for the suffering and the enslaved. Through his intercession, protect expectant mothers, strengthen families, and grant freedom and hope to all who are bound by fear, oppression, or injustice. Amen. 🙏🏾

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, and Saint Raymond Nonnatus, we also honor: SAINT AIDAN (SAINT AIDAN OF LINDISFARNE), SAINT ALBERTINUS, SAINT AMATUS, SAINT ARISTIDES, SAINT CAESIDIUS, BLESSED DIEGO VENTAJA MILAN, SAINT DOMINIC DEL VAL, SAINT PAULINUS OF TRIER, BLESSED RICHARD BERE, AND SAINTS THEODOTUS, RUFINA, AND AMMIA. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: OF GRATITUDE FOR AUGUST, FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS, UNBORN CHILDREN, CAPTIVES, THE SICK, AND BOLDNESS IN FAITH

Heavenly Father, as we come to the close of this month of August, our hearts overflow with gratitude for Your lovingkindness, protection, guidance, and continuous provisions over our lives, families, and loved ones. Lord, we place the outcome of this month into Your hands and ask for Your blessings upon the new month ahead. Through the intercession of Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, grant us the courage to never hide our faith out of fear, but to stand up for Christ and serve His Church with reverence and bold devotion. Through the prayers of Saint Raymond Nonnatus, we lift up all pregnant women, expectant mothers, unborn children, midwives, and obstetricians; protect them through safe deliveries, preserve infants in good health, and comfort those struggling with complications or false accusations. We pray for all physical and spiritual captives, for the sick, the dying, the poor, and for peace, love, and unity in our homes, our country, and across the world. Preserve our Holy Father, Bishops, Clergy, and Religious in Your truth, and grant us the grace to begin the coming month in Your peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus, Saint Raymond Nonnatus, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings, and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer-2/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/