see more related commentary: anxiety in the Lost in Translation archives

listen to the readings: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers a podcast of the readings for Sunday, October 4, 2026, the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. This can be useful for lectors wishing to hear the correct pronunciation of biblical terms as well as for Catholics who simply want to listen to the readings.

The Pope’s prayer intention in October 2026:
for mental health ministry

Each month, Catholics support the leader of the universal Church through Pope Leo XIV’s Worldwide Prayer Network. This October the Holy Father will be praying that mental health ministry be established throughout the Church. The Pope is especially concerned with the Church’s role in helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination suffered by persons with mental illness.

Every Turning to God’s Word Bible study carries an imprimatur
Turning to God’s Word Catholic Bible studies are based on principles of lectio divina and are designed to enrich understanding of the Christian faith. The Gospel According to Mark: A Look at the Son of God, was granted an imprimatur on July 12, 2026, from the Most Reverend William M. Joensen, Ph.D., bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines. The Very Reverend Trevor M. Chicoine, VE, STL, granted the nihil obstat. Future Turning to God’s Word studies will be submitted to Bishop Joensen and Father Chicoine.