Patrick J. Murtaugh

As the early morning light begins to peek through the curtains on this November 9th in 2026, I wanted to share a few gentle thoughts with you. It is just after 5:17 AM CST, that quiet hour when the day feels full of fresh possibility and our hearts are still settling into the rhythm of new beginnings. Our verse for today comes from 1 Maccabees and offers simple yet steady wisdom: "Do not fear the words of a sinful man..." These words from long ago feel especially tender right now, when so many voices seem to compete for our attention. Think about the conversations we navigate each day. A sharp comment from a coworker might linger in your mind during the commute. Online posts or news updates can carry tones of anger or division that make the heart feel heavy. Even kind people sometimes speak from their own pain, and their words land harder than intended. The verse gently reminds us that not every word carries lasting power over us. When someone speaks without love or truth, their message often reflects their own struggles more than any reality about who you are. We do not have to let those words plant seeds of worry or self-doubt. This morning offers a chance to choose differently. As you move through your routine, whether preparing breakfast, heading to work, or simply sitting with a quiet cup of coffee, you can release the weight of unkind or fearful words. God’s truth stands steady beneath any passing comment or headline. Many of us carry concerns about family, finances, health, or the wider world, and it is easy for negative voices to echo those worries louder. Yet the invitation today is to stand in hope instead. Trust that light is stronger than any shadow, and that your worth is held safely in hands far greater than any human opinion. May this day unfold with small moments of peace and quiet courage. You are not alone in choosing not to fear. #FearNot220 #046of220 #Catholic

Beloved brethren in Christ, as the shadows lengthen and evening draws near, let us ponder anew the sacred words from the book of Genesis, where the patriarch Joseph speaks to his trembling brothers: 'Therefore have no fear. I will provide for you and for your children.' In the ancient days of Egypt's splendor, Joseph, once cast into a pit by envious kin and sold into bondage, had risen by divine providence to govern the land. His brothers, haunted by the memory of their betrayal after their father Jacob's passing, approached in dread of retribution. Yet Joseph, his heart enlarged by the grace of the Most High, dispelled their fears with assurance of sustenance and protection. The holy fathers of the early Church, those luminaries who illuminated the path of faith amid persecution, expound this passage with profound insight. Saint Ambrose, in his treatise on Joseph, beholds in this scene a prefigurement of our Lord Jesus Christ, who from the cross forgives those who have wronged Him and provides eternally for His flock. Likewise, the golden-mouthed Chrysostom, in his homilies on Genesis, emphasizes how divine economy transforms evil into good, teaching the faithful that no earthly trial can sever the bonds of God's fatherly care. Drawing from the Catena Aurea, we recall how these patristic voices harmonize: Joseph's provision mirrors the heavenly Father's promise to supply every need, as echoed in the Gospels where the Savior bids us cast aside anxiety. In the historical crucible of the infant Church, when believers faced exile, famine of spirit, and the sword of empire, this verse served as a bulwark against despair. The fathers urged the assembly to trust in the Lord who clothes the lilies and feeds the sparrows, extending that same providence to generations yet unborn. Let this evening meditation pierce our souls: fear not, for He who sustained Joseph in the dungeon sustains us now in our trials, providing not merely bread but the Bread of Life. May the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts as you rest in His provision. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #007of220 #Catholic

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐨 𝐓𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘! 32𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘖𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 -𝘞𝘪𝘴𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 -𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘖 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥. -𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 -𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 - Wisdom 6:12-16 𝘞𝘪𝘴𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 Wisdom is bright, and does not grow dim. By those who love her she is readily seen, and found by those who look for her. Quick to anticipate those who desire her, she makes herself known to them. Watch for her early and you will have no trouble; you will find her sitting at your gates. Even to think about her is understanding fully grown; be on the alert for her and anxiety will quickly leave you. She herself walks about looking for those who are worthy of her and graciously shows herself to them as they go, in every thought of theirs coming to meet them. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 - Psalm 62(63):2-8 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘖 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥. O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water. For you my soul is thirsting, O God, my God. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. For you my soul is thirsting, O God, my God. So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy. For you my soul is thirsting, O God, my God. On my bed I remember you. On you I muse through the night for you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. For you my soul is thirsting, O God, my God. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord's own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord's coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them; to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord for ever. With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another. 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Mt24:42 44 Alleluia, alleluia! Stay awake and stand ready, because you do not know the hour when the Son of Man is coming. Alleluia! 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥 - Matthew 25:1-13 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 Jesus told this parable to his disciples: 'The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, “The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him.” At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, “Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.” But they replied, “There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.” They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said “open the door for us.” But he replied, “I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.” So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.' You can read the Gospels in Greek in parallel with the English, by using the Universalis app. You can get it here. 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟐𝟓:𝟏-𝟏𝟑 - Chrysostom: The foolish had oil, but not enough; virginity without works of mercy is cast out. - Jerome: Oil is faith with good works; those without it confess yet neglect virtue. - Gregory: All have lamps, not all oil; to sleep is to die; at the Judge’s coming bright works grow dim. - Augustine: Oil is joy kept in the heart, not in human praise; we know neither the Bridegroom’s day nor our falling asleep. - Jerome: After judgment the door is shut; watch, and provide the light of good works. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - Direct citations in the Catena: none - Thematic links: - Wisdom sought early and coming to meet the worthy echoes the virgins going out to meet the Bridegroom. - Sleep as death and rising at a cry answers those who have died in Christ, raised to meet the Lord. - Watching, not knowing the day or hour, is the summons of the acclamation. xitter.gq/infool7/status/2119403… #Mass #Catholic #MassReadings

As the early morning light filters in on this November 8, 2026, at 5:17 AM CST, I wanted to share a moment of encouragement with you all. Life has its way of presenting us with trials that test our resolve, from the pressures of work deadlines to concerns about our families' well-being and the broader uncertainties in the world around us. In these times, turning to scripture can provide the comfort we need. The verse today is Psalm 35:9, which says, "Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his deliverance." It speaks to a deep, soul-level joy that comes when we recognize God's hand in freeing us from our burdens. Many people today are navigating challenges like financial strains or health worries that seem to linger. Others might be dealing with emotional battles or the feeling of being overwhelmed by daily news. It's normal to feel the weight, but this verse reminds us that deliverance is part of God's promise. When we exult in that deliverance, our perspective shifts. We begin to see the light in the darkness, the hope in the struggle. This isn't about pretending everything is perfect but about finding authentic rejoicing in the Lord's care. Let this morning be a fresh start. Allow your soul to rejoice as you trust in His deliverance for whatever you're facing. Warmth and hope are available to you right now, no matter the circumstances. #FearNot220 #195of220 #Catholic

Beloved children of the Church, gathered in the evening light, let us ponder the words of our Savior as recorded by the blessed Evangelist Luke: 'Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven...' In the days when the Lord walked among us, He spoke these words upon the plain, not from the lofty mountain alone, but to the multitude hungering for truth. The disciples faced the scorn of scribes and the fury of Pharisees, much as the prophets of old endured stones and exile. Saint Augustine, in his homilies, reminds us that this joy is no mere emotion of the flesh but the exultation of the spirit that foresees the heavenly Jerusalem, where every tear is wiped away. The early fathers teach that persecution for righteousness' sake unites us to the noble company of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Maccabees, who suffered for the law of God. In the Catena Aurea, we read how Chrysostom explains that leaping for joy signifies the soul's swift ascent beyond earthly trials, for the reward is not of this passing age but stored in the treasury of heaven. When the Church was young and bloodied by imperial edicts, these verses fortified the martyrs in the arenas, turning their chains into crowns. History bears witness that those who rejoiced in affliction, like Polycarp amid the flames, saw the heavens opened and the reward made manifest. Consider, dear brethren, the biblical thread woven from the psalms of David through the beatitudes: sorrow for Christ's sake becomes the seed of eternal gladness. The Lord does not promise ease but greatness in the Father's house, where the prophets' voices echo in perpetual praise. Let this evening meditation stir your hearts to embrace the cross with joy, knowing that the same Spirit who strengthened the apostles sustains us still. For in leaping beyond fear, we claim the inheritance prepared before the foundation of the world. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #172of220 #Catholic

Good morning, friends. As the first light of November 7, 2026, gently touches the sky, we begin another day with the comforting words of Deuteronomy 20:3: "Be not weakhearted or afraid..." These ancient instructions were given to people facing real battles, and they speak directly to the quiet struggles we carry today. Many of us wake up with concerns that feel heavy. Perhaps it's worry over job security in a shifting economy, the health of a family member, or the way global tensions seem to echo in our daily news feeds. Everyday life brings its own uncertainties—rising costs, divided communities, and the simple pressure to keep moving forward when rest feels far away. Yet this verse offers a steady invitation to release the grip of fear and trust that we are not facing these moments alone. Think about the small battles that fill our hours. A difficult email at work, a conversation with a child about their future, or even the internal voice that questions whether we are enough. The words remind us that courage does not mean pretending everything is fine. It means choosing to stand with an open heart, knowing strength is available beyond our own resources. In a world that often highlights what could go wrong, this promise brings a quiet hope that steadies us for whatever lies ahead. This morning, take a moment with your coffee or during the commute to let the verse settle. Be not weakhearted when anxiety rises about the unknown. Be not afraid when headlines feel overwhelming. Instead, lean into the presence that walks alongside us, turning ordinary routines into opportunities for grace and connection. Small acts of kindness, a few minutes of prayer, or simply breathing through a stressful moment can become powerful steps of faith. As the day unfolds, carry this encouragement gently. We are all navigating real-life challenges, but we do so with the assurance that hope remains fresh each morning. Let today be marked by renewed courage and the warmth of knowing we move forward together. #FearNot220 #019of220 #Catholic

Beloved children of the Church, as evening shadows lengthen and we turn our minds to sacred Scripture, let us ponder the Lord's tender command to Jacob: 'Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation.' In the historical setting of Genesis, a devastating famine had stripped Canaan of sustenance, forcing the aged patriarch to confront the painful choice of migration. His sons had already journeyed to Egypt and returned with astonishing news of Joseph's survival and exaltation. Yet Jacob trembled, for Egypt symbolized peril—the land of future oppression and idolatry, far from the promised inheritance of Abraham and Isaac. The blessed Augustine, in his homilies on the Old Testament, observes that this fear reflects the human heart's reluctance to abandon security for the unknown, even when divine providence calls. Jacob offered sacrifice at Beersheba, the place of wells and ancient oaths, before receiving the nocturnal vision. There the Lord reassured him that the descent would yield not loss but multiplication. Origen, in his Genesis homilies, unfolds this as the soul's fruitful trial: what appears as exile becomes the forge of a chosen people. Drawing from the patristic wisdom akin to the Catena Aurea, St. John Chrysostom expounds that God's promise accompanies Jacob, ensuring both the journey down and the eventual ascent. This sojourn in Egypt, though lasting generations, prepared the nation for the Exodus under Moses, transforming a family into a multitude through whom salvation would come to all. St. Ambrose sees echoes of deeper mystery, where descent into trial prefigures the Church's growth amid worldly adversity. Brethren, apply these ancient words to our evening prayers. When fear arises at life's unexpected paths—loss, change, or spiritual dryness—recall the Lord's assurance to Jacob. Obedience transforms dread into destiny. In Egypt God formed Israel; in our trials He forms us into His holy nation. Trust the promise, for there He makes us great. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #005of220 #Catholic

Good morning, friends, as we greet this quiet November 6th in 2026. The early light filters in softly, offering a fresh start before the rush of the day begins. In these still moments, we can pause and remember that each new sunrise carries its own gentle invitation to hope. Our verse today from Numbers 14:9 speaks with quiet strength: "...do not be afraid of them." The people of Israel stood before what looked like impossible obstacles, reports of giants and fortified cities swirling around them. Fear threatened to turn them back, yet the message was clear—trust in the One who goes before you. We all know those modern-day giants, don't we? Maybe it's the steady stream of headlines that leave us uneasy about the future, or personal worries about health, finances, and family that keep us awake at night. In a world still navigating change and uncertainty, it's easy for anxiety to feel like the loudest voice in the room. Yet this ancient word reaches across the years to remind us we are never facing these challenges alone. God's presence turns overwhelming odds into opportunities for courage. When we feel small against the size of our problems, we can lean into the promise that strength comes from beyond ourselves. Take a moment this morning to breathe deeply and release what you cannot control. Whether your fears center on work pressures, community concerns, or simply the unknown path ahead, remember that stepping forward in faith has always been the path to new ground. Small acts of trust build into lasting peace. As the day unfolds, carry this encouragement close. You are held, supported, and invited to move ahead without the weight of fear. Brighter horizons await those who choose hope, one faithful step at a time. May your morning be filled with calm assurance and a renewed sense that all will be well. #FearNot220 #010of220 #Catholic

Beloved brethren in Christ, as the evening shadows lengthen and we gather in spirit at this hour of reflection, let us fix our hearts upon the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 56:4: "...I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me?" These sacred syllables arose from the lips of David during his desperate flight from King Saul, as recounted in the First Book of Samuel. Hunted across the wilderness, betrayed by allies, and surrounded by Philistine foes in Gath, David discovered that the threats of mortal men dissolve before the shield of the Almighty. The holy Fathers of the early Church have expounded this verse with luminous clarity. Saint Augustine, in his Enarrations on the Psalms, instructs the faithful that such fearless confession springs from a soul anchored in divine eternity rather than temporal power; what can fleeting flesh achieve against the immortal image of God within us? Drawing richly from the Catena Aurea, we hear Saint John Chrysostom affirm in his homilies that the power of persecutors extends only to the body, while the soul remains hidden with Christ in God. Saint Ambrose and Saint Jerome, likewise compiled in the great chains of patristic wisdom, echo that trust in the Lord converts every apparent defeat into victory. In the historical furnace of the early Church, when Diocletian’s edicts scattered believers like David before Saul, martyrs recited these very words as they entered the arena. They knew the lions and the flames could touch only flesh, not the eternal covenant sealed in baptism. This evening, beloved, unplug from the clamor of worldly dread. Rest instead in the same refuge that sustained David and the martyrs, for the Lord who delivered them delivers us still. May the peace of Christ guard your hearts through the night. Amen.

Welcome to #DSTLIBERATIONDAY 5! Circadian Restoration Week 1 HOW'S IT FEEL FOLKS? We need to #DITCHDST forever #LETNOONBENOON and #SAVESTANDARDTIME. #LNBT lnbt.org

Good morning, friends. As the first light of November 5, 2026, gently breaks across the sky at this quiet 5:17 AM hour, I want to share a word of hope drawn from an ancient story that still speaks directly to our hearts today. The verse for our reflection is from Matthew 1:20: "...do not be afraid to take Mary..." Joseph faced an overwhelming moment. The woman he loved was expecting a child that was not his, and every practical and social reason told him to walk away. Fear of the unknown, fear of judgment, and fear of what the future held must have pressed heavily on him. Yet God sent a messenger with a simple command: do not be afraid. Many of us wake up carrying similar weights in 2026. Perhaps you are weighing a difficult decision in a relationship, wondering whether to stay and trust when the path ahead feels uncertain. Maybe work pressures, rising costs, or concerns about family health have left you hesitating to take the next step. Across our communities we see people facing division, loneliness, and questions about the future that can make anyone want to pull back and protect themselves. Still, the angel’s words remind us that God often invites us into situations that require courage we do not yet feel. Joseph’s yes changed history because he chose trust over fear. In the same way, the small acts of faithfulness we offer today—listening to a struggling friend, showing patience at home, or stepping forward in a new opportunity—can open doors we cannot yet see. Take a moment this morning to breathe and remember you are not alone in whatever uncertainty you carry. God’s plan may look different from what we expect, but it is always rooted in love. Let that truth steady your heart as you move through the day. #FearNot220 #109of220 #Catholic

Beloved brethren, gathered in the quiet of this evening hour, let us turn our hearts to the words spoken by the angel of the Lord to the Apostle Paul amid the raging tempest: "Do not be afraid, Paul..." These words, recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-seven, verse twenty-four, come to us from the perilous voyage that carried Paul as a prisoner toward Rome. The ship, caught in the Euroclydon, a fierce northeaster, had been driven for fourteen days across the Adriatic, its cargo cast overboard, its sailors despairing of life itself. Yet in this darkness the heavenly messenger appeared, assuring Paul not only of his own safety but that God had granted the lives of all who sailed with him, for Paul must yet stand before Caesar. The holy fathers of the Church, those pillars who illuminated the scriptures for us, saw in this scene a profound mystery of divine providence. St. John Chrysostom, in his homilies on Acts, marvels at how Paul, bound in chains, becomes the true captain of the vessel, his faith steadying the fearful hearts around him. The storm, he teaches, was permitted so that the power of God might be revealed through weakness, turning the prisoner's testimony into a beacon for pagans and believers alike. In the Catena Aurea, we find St. Bede the Venerable noting that the angel's promise echoes the Lord's own words to His disciples in the Gospels, reminding us that no wave can overwhelm those who rest in the divine will. Consider, my children, the historical moment: Paul, having appealed to Caesar, journeys under Roman guard, yet it is the God of Israel who commands the seas. The centurion Julius, the soldiers, the sailors—all are preserved because of one man's fidelity. This is no mere tale of survival but a lesson in the economy of salvation, where trials forge greater trust. The Early Church, persecuted yet undaunted, drew courage from such accounts, seeing their own storms of martyrdom mirrored in Paul's calm assurance. As St. Augustine reflects in his sermons, fear is the enemy of faith; when we cling to God's promises, even shipwreck becomes a path to Malta's shore and new conversions. In our own evening reflections, let this verse quiet the tempests within. Whatever burdens weigh upon your soul—doubt, loss, or the uncertainties of this age—hear the angel's voice: Do not be afraid. The same Lord who preserved Paul watches over His Church. May this assurance bring peace as night falls. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #134of220 #Catholic

Welcome to #DSTLIBERATIONDAY 4! Back on Solar Noon Time at long last! HOW'S IT FEEL FOLKS? We need to #DITCHDST forever #LETNOONBENOON and #SAVESTANDARDTIME. #LNBT lnbt.org