Reflect today on the seriousness of eternal salvation. If you’ve grown spiritually lazy, let this Gospel motivate you to change. Don’t be one of those knocking on Heaven’s door only to find the Lord doesn’t know you. Strive to eliminate presumption from your life, and your reward will be great in Heaven.

Reflect today on your duty to plant those small seeds of faith and love daily. Don’t get discouraged if the results aren’t immediately obvious. Commit to the planting and find joy in the process. If you do this, one day in Heaven you’ll be amazed at how powerfully God used your seemingly small acts to build His Kingdom.

Reflect today on Jesus' choice of Simon and Jude. Listen for God's call in your life, and don’t underestimate the mission He has for you. Say "Yes" to Him, knowing that your service will have a lasting impact on others.

Reflect today on Bartimaeus, the humble blind beggar. See him as a model for how you should pray, with humility, perseverance, and faith. Like him, trust that God will open your eyes and lead you closer to Him.

Reflecting on the image of the fig tree that has not borne fruit, Jesus is calling us to be patient with ourselves but also diligent in responding to His grace. He offers to cultivate and fertilize the ground of our souls, but we must be open to the transformation He desires. This requires change, effort, and cooperation with His will. If we neglect this cultivation, we risk being like the fig tree that is eventually cut down.

Reflect on your own life. Are there any teachings of Jesus that you’ve been avoiding because they convict you too deeply? Is there any area of your life where God is calling you to repentance? Now is the time to respond. The Word of God is not your enemy, but your friend. It seeks to purify and transform you. By responding to these inner convictions with humility and trust, you will grow in holiness and avoid the harsher judgment that comes from unrepented sin.

Reflect today on the image of a blazing fire. Picture yourself as gold being refined or as the log described by Saint John of the Cross. God wants to transform you completely, purifying you from sin so that His love can blaze through your life. Don’t wait for tomorrow—let His fire begin its work in you today.

Take time today to reflect on the importance of being vigilant and attentive to God’s presence in your life. He speaks to you, day and night, leading you toward holiness. If you make it a habit to stay attentive to His presence, you’ll be truly prepared for that final meeting when you see Him face-to-face.

Reflect on your own journey of faith. If you were born into the faith, think about how you have deepened and strengthened it throughout your life. Have you responded to God’s calls and inspirations? If you have been faithful, give thanks and recommit to staying vigilant. If you feel you’ve fallen short, trust in God’s mercy and resolve to be attentive to His will from now on.

Take time to reflect on your own desires. What do you want most in life? Do you dream of being rich? Does that desire take up a lot of your thoughts? Imagine being promised a large inheritance, only to be cheated out of it. How would you react? The right response would be to care more about the soul of the person who cheated you than about the loss of the money. A person truly detached from material things won’t be bothered by either gaining or losing wealth. If that seems difficult to accept, it may be a sign that your soul is too attached to the things of this world. Pray for freedom from greed, for only then can you gain the true riches that come from God.