A Home Within Us

The zealous youth approaches Jesus with profound longing. He desires a true home in God, yet based on his own efforts. Jesus challenges the young man to allow God to be his only priority, his only attachment even on earth. The eager youth struggled with such surrender, so he went away empty.     

In Matthew’s gospel, we may consider the young man as an image of the newly baptized, the youthful presence of believers. When baptismal waters settle, even youthful zeal cannot accomplish the mystery of living solely in the heart of God. Along the way to God’s perfection, that is his overwhelming mercy and compassion; there is much to let go of, as we so often cling to identities of achievement to make our lives look better than others– even in our own prayer.  

Years ago, I prayed that I might live in God. Only after treacheries, I discovered my error, so I prayed to allow God to make a home in me. My naivete gave way to wiser and deeper prayer, not of my youthful pride, but of growing into a richer awareness of God’s compassion. The young man most likely matured into a wise follower of Jesus.

Our discipleship grows from within our hearts. The greatest of all calls, the hope for our place in heaven, is to make room in our lives to cling to only one thing: God making a home within us. All other perceived priorities or attachments, we need to give away or change or distribute among God’s poor.

Fr. Ronad Patrick Raab

Fr. Ronald Patrick Raab, CSC, serves as religious superior at Holy Cross House, a medical and retirement facility at Notre Dame, Indiana. He is an award-winning author and visual artist. Learn more at ronaldraab.com

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Sunday August 16, 2026

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Leo, our Pope, and our religious leaders in every nation. May we all seek the healing gift of Christ Jesus as we listen attentively to the needs of those who wait for justice.

We pray to the Lord.

For the people of waring nations. May hope be born among families in profound loss. May Christ heal their grief and pain and may we help rebuild their lives.

We pray to the Lord.

For people waiting to be healed. May people who ache for adequate healthcare and affordable medications find justice in our care for every human being.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children who begin a new school year. May our youth discover their talents for the common good of our world. May their imaginations be ignited and their hearts be broken open.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who long for the healing touch of Christ Jesus. May people suffering from mental illness and physical disease find hope and courage to manage their lives.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who long to capture the mind and attention of Christ Jesus. May people who cannot bear their suffering find new hope in the miracle of the Lord’s presence. May we find more than scraps to feed us at this Eucharistic Table.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who reach out to Christ even when prayers are not heard. May we hold the hands of people who face despair and anxiety. May our loss lead to deeper love and faith.

We pray to the Lord.

For vocations to serve the Church. May our young find ways to support the Church’s life of prayer and service among God’s beloved poor.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who grieve the loss of a loved one. May we steady our lives in the assurance of God’s healing presence. May God give us courage to heal our bruised hearts.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who face death with burdens of guilt and regret. May Christ free our loved ones to enter joyfully into heaven’s delight.

We pray to the Lord.

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Sunday August 9, 2026

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Leo, our Pope, and ____, our Bishop. May their leadership steady the lives of people in poverty and give hope to all who seek Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

For the end of war and violence. May Christ’s peace be our home here on earth. May justice flourish for the benefit of all people and nations.

We pray to the Lord.

For all people who hunger and thirst for God’s love. May the marginalized and the lowly find hope on the solid ground of God’s mercy and kindness.

We pray to the Lord.

For people lost in turbulent marriages. May we have the courage to reach beyond our fear to Christ Jesus.  May the tensions in our commitments ease in God’s mercy and love.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children who begin school this season. May we support our youth as they discover their true gifts and talents.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who struggle with emotional turmoil and mental illness. May we support our loved ones who face such anguish and grief.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who farm our lands and support us with summer crops. May we support our local farmers and those who tend to the earth’s resources.

We pray to the Lord.

For our elderly who face undiagnosed illness. May they cling to the love God has for them. May we learn to comfort and console people who are sick and discouraged.

We pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead. May our loved ones who have reached the eternal shore find hope for all eternity.

We pray to the Lord.

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Sunday August 2, 2026

The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Leo, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop.  May our leaders feast on God’s bounty in the Eucharist. May they feed people starving for hope across our world.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who ache for God. May beauty, nature, art, and prayer inspire our lives to turn to Christ Jesus. May our hearts be satisfied in God’s mercy and gentleness.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who survive shame and guilt. May forgiveness abound in our lives and healing become our home. May our faces reflect the light and joy of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

For people struggling to raise their children. May we rely on one another to offer our children wonder, delight, and encouragement. May we lift up our children in faith and hope.

We pray to the Lord.

For our journey of faith when illness and disease make a home in us. May fear be released in our hearts even when our bodies hold pain. May Christ calm our souls.

We pray to the Lord.

For hope among nations in times of war. May the people in war-torn nations find courage along with the support of other nations and peoples.

We pray to the Lord.

For steadiness along our path of faith. May God melt away discouragement. May Christ become our walking stick. May love be the signs we follow on our pilgrimage.

We pray to the Lord.

For a new generosity in our support for God’s beloved poor. May housing become our goal for all people. May food be shared at all tables under heaven.

We pray to the Lord.

For our loved ones who have journeyed home to the Kingdom. May we learn patience in our grief and hope for those we have loved who rest in God’s light and fidelity.

We pray to the Lord.

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Sunday July 26, 2026

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Leo, our Pope and ___, our Bishop. May our leaders prayerfully understand the pearl of faith and the value of human life. May joy be in their hearts and on their lips.

We pray to the Lord.

For life without war and violence. May we seek the peace of Christ within our nation and world. May our inner turmoil be washed away in prayer and reflection.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who live without rest or comfort on the earth. May our beloved poor who sleep on concrete and who search for food in dumpsters find shelter, nourishing food, and gentle healthcare.

We pray to the Lord.

For family reunions and the joy of reminiscing. May the pearl of the past fill us with joy in summer months. May our regrets and disappoints fade away in the peace of our common memory.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who blame others for the outcome of their lives. May all people come to know the pearl of God’s love within their hearts. May we all find hope within our emotions, within our decisions and actions.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children who hesitate to express themselves. May our children embrace their true gifts and talents. May they treasure their joys and inner resources.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who cannot trust God. May we all learn to let go of control and live in God’s grace and faithfulness. May our angry cease and our resentments turn into hope.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who remain ill and living in pain. May our family members come to know God’s healing and mercy.

We pray to the Lord.

For our loved ones who have died. May our friends and family members find Christ Jesus for all eternity. May joy last from age to age.

We pray to the Lord.

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