How can I, on this Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time—amid Laudato Si’ Action Platform’s reminder of unnoticed authentic humanity, Mary’s model of a Church that takes notice, our livestock guardian dogs at The Glenn ever-watchful, and the community of Graham raising over $40,000 for my son Daniel—remain attentive to the miracle I still seek for Daniel through the intercession of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, when the Gospel asks, “Why do you notice❓”
Lectio Divina on the word “notice“
Reading I
The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had, and so too does the fruit of my life show what I choose to notice. If I only notice what is wrong—my struggles, my worries, my fears—then my tree bears the fruit of discouragement. But if I notice the quiet ways God is working, the love that surrounds me, and the hope that still remains, then my tree bears the fruit of trust.
Responsorial Psalm
Lord, it is good to give thanks to you, but do I truly notice all that I should be grateful for❓ I notice the hardships, the weight of uncertainty, and the suffering of those I love, but do I notice just as readily the blessings—the generosity of others, the small moments of grace, and the way you continue to sustain me each day❓ Gratitude begins with noticing.
Reading 2
Knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain, I press on, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. At The Glenn, I notice the signs of new life—the livestock guardian dogs on watch, the coming of spring, and the work of my own hands. Likewise, I notice the labor of love in the community that gathered to help my son Daniel, a testament to the unseen ways God is still at work.
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life—this is the call of the Church, to notice those in need and respond with love. I saw that light shine yesterday in Graham, Texas, where so many took notice of my son’s suffering and responded with generosity. Do I, in turn, notice the needs of others❓ Am I as ready to give as I am to receive❓ Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus told his disciples a parable,
“Can a blind person guide a blind person❓
Will not both fall into a pit❓
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
SZA’s “Notice Me” explores themes of longing for recognition, attention, and deeper connection—ideas that align with this Lectio Divina on noticing what truly matters. In this Lectio Divina I contemplate whether I notice God’s presence, blessings, and the needs of others, just as the song expresses a desire to be seen and valued. Similarly, my reflection acknowledges how the world often overlooks what is most important—faith, gratitude, and acts of kindness—much like the song speaks to the longing to be noticed in a world that can be indifferent. Both the song and my reflection challenge me to reflect on what I seek to notice and be noticed for.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own❓
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye❓
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.
“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,
nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
In Two Weeks Notice (2002), Sandra Bullock’s character, Lucy, starts off highly aware—she notices injustices, environmental concerns, and the needs of others. Meanwhile, Hugh Grant’s character, George, is largely oblivious, living in privilege without noticing the impact of his actions. Throughout the movie, George learns to notice the value of people over profits, just as my Lectio Divina challenges me to recognize what truly matters—faith, gratitude, and service. Just as Lucy’s departure forces George to notice what he took for granted, I ask myself if I notice the ways God is present in my life, the fruits of my labor, and the generosity of others, like the support for Daniel’s family. In the end, the film reminds me that transformation begins when we choose to truly notice—so, why do you notice❓
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,
but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;
for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”
And so, I ask myself in prayer: Do I notice what truly matters❓ Do I notice God’s presence in the midst of all things❓ The Gospel asks me,…
An authentic humanity, calling for a new synthesis, seems to dwell in the midst of our technological culture, almost unnoticed, like a mist seeping gently beneath a closed door.
FROM PARAGRAPH 112 OF THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME