Scripture
Luke 11: 29-32
When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Live From the Trust
“Trust, but verify.” Ronald Reagan used the phrase during the Cold War when negotiating with the Soviet Union: take them at their word, but make sure their actions match it. It’s also a pretty solid philosophy for dealing with high school students. Trust when they tell you where they’re going. Verify where they actually went.
It makes sense when dealing with foreign governments and teenagers. It makes considerably less sense when Jesus has been healing the sick, driving out demons, and performing miracles right in front of you—and you still ask him for another sign.
In today’s Gospel, you can feel Jesus’ frustration. The Ninevites heard Jonah and repented. The Queen of the South traveled an enormous distance to hear Solomon. These outsiders recognized something of God and responded, while the people standing face-to-face with Jesus kept asking him to prove himself.
Trust is confidence based on what we have already experienced. Faith is choosing to live from that trust even when we cannot verify what comes next. Jesus has already shown us who he is. At some point, asking for one more sign is just an excuse for not responding.
—Jackie Schulte is the Head of School and Dean of Faculty Formation at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Ignatian Prayer
Oct 12, 2026
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Draw us closer to you
and teach us to rest our faith in you.
Free us from our need for certainty,
and help us place what comes next into your hands.
Amen.
—Jackie Schulte
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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