How can I, faced with the blooming lily at The Glenn and still hoping for a miracle for our son Daniel through the intercession of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen—yet also preparing for his funeral—remain truly open to God’s will, recognizing that no #exchange can measure the value of a single life, as the Gospel asks “What could one give in exchange for his life❓”, while Pope Francis warns that neglecting our neighbor breaks our bond with God and the earth, and the Synod urges us to cultivate new forms of exchange that unite us in this changing world❓
Gospel
Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the Gospel will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life❓
What could one give in exchange for his life❓
Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words
in this faithless and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of
when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”He also said to them,
“Amen, I say to you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death
until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”
Lectio Divina on the Word “exchange“
I often find myself caught in an exchange between hope and surrender. On one hand, I plead for a miracle for Daniel through the intercession of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. On the other, I make practical preparations for his funeral, as if balancing faith and acceptance like weights on a scale. Is this truly an exchange, or am I simply trying to hold on to both realities at once❓
At The Glenn, I see nature engaging in its own exchange—the lily I gave my wife for Valentine’s Day has begun to bloom, even in the cold. It offers its beauty freely, never demanding anything in return. Meanwhile, I struggle with the exchange between trusting in God’s plan and my own human desire to grasp control. How do I embrace both the hope for a miracle and the wisdom to accept what comes❓
under the title An Abundant Catch, outlines how we can cultivate new forms of the exchange
of gifts and renew the intertwining of the bonds that unite us in the Church at a time when the
experience of being rooted in a place is changing profoundly”
The Synod speaks of the exchange of gifts that renew our unity, yet I feel the weight of separation from my church leaders. I offered them the opportunity to be part of this miracle, yet their silence feels like an exchange of indifference for faith. Is my persistence seen as obstinacy rather than trust❓ Am I holding onto expectations that I should have long since surrendered❓
Pope Francis reminds us that Cain’s exchange with God was one of deflection and avoidance, severing his ties with his brother, the earth, and the Lord Himself. I do not want my longing for Daniel’s healing to become an exchange that distances me from God. If my focus is only on what I seek rather than on who God is, have I truly surrendered❓
In the end, what am I willing to exchange for my son’s life❓ My pride, my understanding, my expectations❓ Or am I called to give everything—my fears, my desires, my faith—fully into God’s hands❓
In the story of Cain and Abel, we see how envy led Cain to commit the ultimate injustice against his brother, which in turn ruptured the relationship between Cain and God, and between Cain and the earth from which he was banished. This is seen clearly in the dramatic exchange between God and Cain. God asks: “Where is Abel your brother❓” Cain answers that he does not know, and God persists: “What have you done❓ The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground” (Gen 4:9-11). Disregard for the duty to cultivate and maintain a proper relationship with my neighbour, for whose care and custody I am responsible, ruins my relationship with my own self, with others, with God and with the earth.
FROM PARAGRAPH 70 OF THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
I understand how deeply couples yearn for children, and it’s heartbreaking to see them struggle with infertility. Still, the Church’s teaching reminds us that the sanctity of life extends to every stage of development, including the earliest moments of human existence. In vitro fertilization, while born of a noble desire to have children, often involves creating and discarding embryos, treating them as commodities rather than as persons with inherent dignity.
It’s important to acknowledge that this isn’t about dismissing or judging the suffering of couples who long for a child. Instead, it’s a call to look for solutions that honor the dignity of each human life. The Church encourages methods that respect both the unitive and procreative purposes of marriage, and that avoid the destruction or freezing of embryos.
Ultimately, the bishops’ concerns highlight that children are a gift, not a product. Upholding the dignity of the child and the sacredness of human life—even at the earliest stages—ensures that we never lose sight of the person at the heart of our longing for a family. The pain of infertility is real, and the Church stands ready to walk alongside couples through ethical alternatives, offering compassion, support, and hope.