THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/thursday-of-the-twenty-second-week-in-ordinary-time-year-a-september-3-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-3rd/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT, POPE AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

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

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Saint Gregory the Great Here |

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 3, 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-september-3-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church. In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus instructs Simon Peter to “put out into deep water,” leading to a miraculous catch of fish that causes Peter to recognize his unworthiness and leave everything behind to follow Christ. In the First Reading, Saint Paul reminds us that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God,” calling us to abandon worldly pride and align our minds with divine truth. Today we honor Saint Gregory the Great, a nobleman and prefect who surrendered his secular honors to become a humble monk, and later, as Pope, served as a true shepherd, reformer, and Servant of the Servants of God. Inspired by his profound humility, liturgical zeal, and devotion to Christ, let us cast aside human self-sufficiency and launch into the deep waters of faith.

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 Thursday, September 3, 2026 | Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 5:1-11

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

“While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.’ Simon said in reply, ‘Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’ For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’ When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In today’s Gospel, Jesus stands by the Lake of Gennesaret as crowds press in to hear the Word of God. Entering Simon Peter’s boat, Jesus teaches the people before giving Simon a command that defies human logic: “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Despite having worked all night without catching anything, Simon responds with obedience and faith: “At your command I will lower the nets.” The result is a miraculous catch so immense that their nets begin to tear and both boats are near sinking. Overwhelmed by this divine revelation, Simon Peter falls to his knees, acknowledging his unworthiness: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” But Jesus reassures him, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Leaving behind the greatest harvest of their lives, Simon, James, and John abandon everything to follow Christ unconditionally.

In the First Reading, Saint Paul continues his address to the Corinthians on the stark contrast between worldly intellect and divine wisdom. Paul warns us against self-deception, declaring that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God.” Human boasting, cleverness, and reliance on worldly philosophy are vain; true wisdom requires us to become “fools” in the eyes of the world so that we may become genuinely wise in God. Everything in creation belongs to God, and as believers, we belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. The Responsorial Psalm echoes this reality through Psalm 24: “To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.” It reminds us that those who seek the face of God must approach Him with clean hands, pure hearts, and a spirit devoid of vanity.

Together, these readings challenge us to trust God’s word above our human limitations, past disappointments, or worldly logic. Like Simon Peter, when we obey Christ’s voice and venture into the “deep waters” of faith, God transforms our empty efforts into abundance. True discipleship calls us to recognize our sinfulness, abandon our reliance on worldly self-sufficiency, and surrender all we have to follow Jesus wherever He leads.

Is there an area in your life where you have “worked all night and caught nothing,” but need to trust Jesus and try again at His command? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone into deeper trust and follow Him whole-heartedly?

Heavenly Father, we praise You as the Maker and Master of all creation, to whom the earth and everything in it belongs. Lord Jesus, give us the faith and humility of Simon Peter to say, “At Your command I will lower the nets,” even when our human reasoning tells us otherwise. Forgive us for the times we rely on worldly wisdom, human strength, or past failures instead of trusting in Your power. Grant us clean hands and pure hearts so that we may stand in Your holy presence. Deliver us from self-deception and vain pride, and grant us the courage to leave behind every obstacle so that we may follow You faithfully as true fishers of men. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 3RD:

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Gregory the Great | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-3rd/

SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT, POPE AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (c. 540–604 A.D.): Born into a noble Roman family, Saint Gregory was a skilled administrator who served as Chief Magistrate of Rome before renouncing his wealth and political power to become a Benedictine monk. Converted his home into a monastery and used his fortune to establish six others, seeking only a life of prayer and solitude. However, his administrative expertise and holiness led to his appointment as a papal representative to Constantinople, and in 590, he was unanimously elected Pope—the first monk to ascend the Papal throne.

As Pope during a turbulent era of floods, plague, and barbarian invasions, Saint Gregory worked tirelessly to protect Rome, care for the poor, and maintain Church discipline. He initiated the famous Gregorian Mission to convert Anglo-Saxon England, reformed the liturgy, and standardized sacred church music, giving rise to “Gregorian Chant.” Despite his vast authority and achievements, he humbly styled himself as Servus Servorum Dei (“Servant of the Servants of God”)—a title used by Popes to this day. A prolific writer and theologian whose commentaries deeply shaped Christian thought, Saint Gregory is honored as one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church. He died in 604 A.D. and is the patron saint of musicians, singers, teachers, students, and Popes.

PRAYER: God, You look upon Your people with compassion and rule them with love. Through the intercession of Pope Saint Gregory the Great, fill us with the Spirit of wisdom so that Your people may grow in holiness and that both pastors and flock may obtain eternal joy. Amen. 🙏🏾

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Gregory the Great (Pope Saint Gregory the Great), we also honor: SAINT AIGULF, SAINT ANDREW DOTTI, SAINT ANGUS MACNISSE (SAINT MACANISIUS), SAINT ANTHONY ISHIDA, SAINT AUXANUS, SAINT BALIN, BLESSED BARTHOLOMEW GUTIERREZ, BLESSED BRIGIDA OF JESUS, SAINT EUPHEMIA, SAINT FRUGENTIUS, BLESSED GABRIEL OF ST. MAGDALEN, SAINT HERESWITHA, SAINT JEROME DE TORRES, SAINTS JOHN OF PERUGIA & PETER OF SASSOFERRATO, SAINT MANSUETUS, SAINT MARTIN DE HINOJOSA, SAINT MAURILIUS, SAINT NATALIS, SAINT PHOEBE, SAINT REGULUS, SAINT REMACLUS, SAINT SANDILA, AND SAINTS ZENO & CHANTON. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR CHURCH LEADERS, MUSICIANS, TEACHERS, AND HUMBLE SERVICE

Heavenly Father, as we honor Pope Saint Gregory the Great, we ask You to pour out Your Holy Spirit upon the Holy Father, our bishops, priests, and religious leaders; grant them the hearts of true servants, wisdom in governance, and courage to lead Your flock with humility and compassion. We lift up all church musicians, choir members, teachers, educators, and scholars; endow them with grace and inspiration to use their gifts for Your greater glory and the edification of Your Church. Lord, deliver us from worldly pride, self-deception, and reliance on human intellect, and teach us to embrace the “foolishness” of the Cross. Give us clean hands and pure hearts so that, like Saint Peter and Saint Gregory, we may respond to Your call with joyful obedience and serve our neighbors with true charity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Gregory the Great, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: For the care of water. Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER | MONTH OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS: September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, inviting us to unite our hearts with Mary in her profound sharing of Christ’s Passion. As Simeon foretold, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35), and throughout her life Mary endured deep sorrows that culminated at Calvary. In her silent strength and unwavering faith, she became the compassionate Mother of all Christians, offering her suffering with Christ for the salvation of the world.

This month, the Church calls us to meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: Simeon’s prophecy, the Flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, standing at the foot of the Cross, receiving His lifeless Body, and placing Him in the tomb. By reflecting on these sorrows, we learn patience in trials, compassion for the suffering, and a deeper love for Jesus who suffered for us.

Prayers such as the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows help us to walk with Mary in her suffering and to discover hope and consolation in her maternal heart.

“Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, teach us to stand with you at the Cross, sharing in Christ’s love and redemptive sacrifice.”

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Amen 🙏🏾

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=9

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/