Thursday 30th October 2025

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

The first week of my 37th year began with the fact that I was absolutely smothered with love—my birthday dinner of the closest friends from age 5 till date through school, high school, and medical college gathered to wish me well, and I have never felt happier! Soon it was the weekend; my entire class of medical college came together after a span of 20 years since joining medical college.

From feeling absolutely lonely and mentally disturbed in the last month, I have realized the presence of people who I love around me can have a massive impact on my mindset and well-being.

Today, as Jesus warns the Pharisees how the time of the Lord will never happen beforehand and will be at the precise time, it reminds me how I was in shambles last month, hanging on to dear life and my faith by praying every morning and adding movement with runs and gym too to ensure my brain is understanding that it needs endorphins and faith!!

Nothing can occur out of place and plan that is meant for you, especially in the design of your life set out by the Lord! I surrender myself to His plan and ask for His guidance and blessings in every aspect of my life! It is very hard to accept and surrender all this, especially when a newborn gets diagnosed with cancer! That seems so out of place —

Yet we should have faith and surrender every happiness and drama in our life, however petty it may seem to the Lord! and invite Him in!

AMEN

About the Author

Hello! I’m Dr Analise Maria D’ Mello, (MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB) from the beautiful state of Goa in India. I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, learning my prayers, catechism and Catholic values from my parents and grandmothers. I am currently practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist for 3 years since my residency. I often speak on anti-abortion to college students and married couples, and counsel distressed pregnant women with appropriate medical advice. I am part of the St Luke's Medical Guild of Catholic Doctors in my state providing services in prisons, and Lenten and advent retreats for medical professionals and their families.

Author Archive Page

13 Comments

  1. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!” Luke 13:34

    It’s helpful to ponder the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His heart is one that is strong and gentle, compassionate and just, merciful and truthful. In this Gospel passage, we are given a glimpse of Jesus’ love for the people of Jerusalem. He was not expressing His love for the city, but for the people in the city. It is clear that His deepest desire, His strong yearning, was that they allow Him to draw them close to Him so that He can protect them from all evil.

    Jesus begins by speaking the word “Jerusalem” twice. This expresses deep compassion for the people of that city. It also expresses a lament that they have not turned to Him, remaining unwilling to change. Their refusal began long before Jesus walked the earth when their forefathers rejected the call of the prophets to repent and turn back to God. The stubbornness of their fathers continued with the people of Jesus’ day, and He experienced their rejection. This rejection did not lead Jesus to anger or condemnation as much as it led Him to holy sorrow.

    The image of a hen gathering her brood under her wings is a lovely image to meditate upon. A mother hen protects her chicks with great courage and without concern for her own safety. When danger approaches, she extends her wings and covers the vulnerable chicks to protect them. Jesus uses this motherly image to express His desire to protect not only the people of Jerusalem, but all of us.

    If Jesus yearned to gather the people together under his “wings” to protect them, then we should know, with certainty, that we need our Lord’s protection. He would not desire something that was unnecessary. He is not an overly protective God Who irrationally worries about His children. His concern is real and necessary, and we must know that we need His protection.

    As you go about your daily life, do you feel as though you can handle life on your own? Do you act as an independent child who wants to separate yourself from the safety of your parents? Though we must all work to become responsible in life, we will never arrive at a point where we no longer need the protection of our loving God. The world in which we live is filled with dangers from which only God can protect us.

    At the beginning of today’s Gospel, Jesus referred to Herod as a “fox.” That image must be seen in the context of Jesus desiring to act as a mother hen, protecting her brood. Jesus was told that Herod was trying to kill Him, but He clearly was not afraid of Herod. Of Herod’s desire to kill Jesus, Jesus said, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.’” As a protector, Jesus took authority over demons, performed healings and opened the gates of Heaven by rising from the dead on the third day. As we go through life, there will be many demons who seek to attack us. We will need many forms of healing, and without the gift of Jesus’ triumph over death itself, we will not be led to the glories of Heaven. Demons are real. Wounds are real. And the need for a Savior is real.

    Reflect, today, upon the image of Jesus acting as a mother hen, extending His wings over you to protect you from the many temptations and diabolical attacks you will encounter in this world. Ponder the fact that you need His daily protection. The demons will never stop their attacks. Mental, emotional and spiritual wounds need His healing. Jesus is the only one Who can protect you and heal you so that He can then pour forth the gift of eternal life. Remain under His protective care, and allow Him to fulfill the yearnings of His Sacred Heart.

    My compassionate Lord, You yearn to protect me from the many evils in this world. You yearn to heal me of the wounds my sins have caused. And You yearn to bestow upon me the gift of eternal life. I accept Your protection, dear Lord, and pray for the healing I need. Please cover me always and bestow upon me the gift of eternal life. Jesus, I trust in You.

  2. Thank you for this Analise, I have been crying in the night, despairing, I’m a palliative nurse, overwhelmed with work and broken, physically and emotionally exhausted. Yet I will trust He has a plan for me. He has blessed me with kind colleagues.

  3. Dr. Analise, your reflections always speak to me as I struggle to live out my faith daily. Recently my sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer and she began chemo this week. As she fights this battle, I pray for all oncologists and medical staff who treat cancer patients when they are in their darkest moments. May God give you all the strength to do your job each day, comfort when you feel overwhelmed, and compassion for those you treat.

    Bev

  4. Thanks always for your real life moments. We enjoy and appreciate your reflections. Peace be with you my sister.

  5. Thank you, Analise. What a wonderful birthday week. The Lord has given you great memories to reflect on as life goes back to normal.

    @Gary Bowen, thank you for your reflection. 🙏

  6. Happy birthday !! God’s strength is with you always !!! And, thank you Gary Bowen ! Wow.

  7. What a difference a day makes Analise.I’m so happy that you felt the love and appreciation from your friends and family as you celebrated your birthday.God has a way of giving you exactly what you need at the right time.
    I appreciate you sharing your vulnerability and anxieties.We are all human and need God’s mercy and love in our every waking moment.
    He is there even when we don’t recognise His presence.God Bless You.

  8. Always down to earth with your reflection. Thanks for making your reflections relatable.

    Thank you Mr Bowen for your detailed reflection.
    Please apply to be writing on Sundays.
    Have a lovely week ahead.

  9. The reflection that was posted by Gary can be found on My Catholic Life website.I too,read those daily reflections and combined with the reflections on this website,I gain a deeper understanding of the Gospel message.Thank you for sharing it Gary.

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