SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 FATHER ROSHAN D’SOUZA
There is a true story about St. Padre Pio. A woman once came to him frightened because she felt surrounded by many difficulties and temptations. Padre Pio reassured her with words that reflected his deep trust in God: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” His message was simple: evil may trouble us, but it does not have the final word. God is greater, and those who remain close to Him need not live in fear.
Today’s readings remind us of this powerful truth: God’s victory is already assured, and we are called to remain faithful to Him.
The first reading presents a dramatic vision: Michael and his angels fight against the dragon. The dragon represents Satan, the power of evil that seeks to turn humanity away from God. The passage declares: “The great dragon was thrown down.” Heaven rejoices because evil has been defeated.
But notice something important. The reading does not pretend that evil does not exist. It acknowledges that there is a spiritual struggle. We experience this struggle in our own lives—in temptation, anger, hatred, jealousy, dishonesty, division, and discouragement.
Sometimes we become discouraged because we focus so much on our problems that we forget the power of God. Revelation reminds us that the battle belongs to God.
We overcome evil not through our own strength alone, but through faith, prayer, and perseverance.
The reading says that God’s people conquered through the blood of the Lamb and their faithful witness. The Lamb is Christ. Our victory comes through Jesus.
Therefore, when life becomes difficult, do not give up. Stay close to Christ. Pray. Receive the sacraments. Forgive. Speak the truth. Keep doing what is good.
The Psalm of the day gives us the proper response to God’s victory: praise.
We often praise God when everything goes well. But mature faith praises God even in difficult moments. Why? Because praise changes our perspective. Instead of saying, “Look how big my problem is,” faith says, “Look how great my God is.” Make praise a habit, not merely a reaction to good circumstances.
When we begin the day with gratitude, when we thank God for our family, our faith, our health, our opportunities, and even the challenges that help us grow, our hearts become more peaceful.
In the Gospel, Jesus meets Nathanael and says, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael is surprised: “How do you know me?”
Jesus shows him that He knows Nathanael more deeply than Nathanael realizes.
This is beautiful. Jesus sees us completely. He knows our strengths, weaknesses, struggles, questions, and hopes. Yet He still calls us. Nathanael initially questions whether anything good can come from Nazareth. Philip simply tells him, “Come and see.”
Do not allow your doubts to prevent you from encountering Jesus. Sometimes we judge God, the Church, or other people from a distance. Philip gives us a better approach: Come and see. Encounter Christ personally.
Jesus then tells Nathanael that he will see “heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth. Through Him, heaven is not distant from us.
Today, let us carry three messages home:
From Revelation: Evil does not have the final victory—Christ does.
From the Psalm: Whatever our circumstances, praise God and trust Him.
From the Gospel: Jesus knows us personally and invites us to “come and see.”
The Christian life is not the absence of struggle. It is the assurance that we never face the struggle alone. May we remain faithful to Christ, trusting that the God who defeated evil continues to work in our lives. And may our lives become a song of praise: “In the sight of the angels, I will sing your praises, Lord.”
