Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 11, 2025

Date: Memorial of St. Martin of Tours

Scripture Text:  Wisdom 2:23–3:9

God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made them. But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried themand found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

 Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today, taken from the Book of Wisdom, speaks of our God-given nature and of how the LORD proves us. If we are faithful to the LORD, though we experience hardships and death here on earth, our future will be with Him because of grace and His mercy.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I have faith in the LORD’s love for me and faithfulness? Do I understand hardships here as part of my path of being “refined” for a future with the LORD?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You created us from love, for love, through love. You are love itself and we, made in your image and likeness, are called by You to be beings in loving relationship with You and one another. You sent your only begotten and beloved Son to take on our human nature in all ways except sin and to model for us “the way and the truth and the life.” Send your Spirit to illuminate our minds, to enlarge our hearts, and to transform our souls so that we might live into the children You created us to be and the disciples your Son, Jesus Christ, calls us to be. Grant this, we ask, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.