Daily Mass: Monday, November 10, 2025 Pope St. Leo the Great

Nov 10, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Seek God with Integrity of Heart

To truly encounter God, one must approach Him with sincerity, avoiding deceit and embracing a heart of integrity. Wisdom is found by those who do not test or disbelieve the Lord, and the Holy Spirit dwells in those who reject evil and pursue goodness. God knows the inmost self, listens to every word, and fills the world with His presence, rewarding those who seek Him honestly. [08:37]

Book of Wisdom 1:1-7 (ESV)
"Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord with uprightness, and seek him with sincerity of heart; because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him. For perverse thoughts separate people from God, and when his power is tested, it exposes the foolish; because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, or dwell in a body enslaved to sin. For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit, and will leave foolish thoughts behind, and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness. For wisdom is a kindly spirit, but will not free blasphemers from the guilt of their words; because God is witness of their inmost feelings, and a true observer of their hearts, and a hearer of their tongues. Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together knows what is said."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to let go of deceit or self-justification and seek God with a more honest and open heart today?

Day 2: God’s Presence Guides and Knows Us

God’s knowledge of each person is intimate and complete; He is present in every place and moment, guiding and holding His people fast, no matter where they go or what they face. There is nowhere one can flee from His Spirit, and His hand is always ready to lead and support, offering comfort and direction along the everlasting way. [10:45]

Psalm 139:1-10 (ESV)
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel alone or distant from God, and how can you invite His guiding presence into that place today?

Day 3: Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven

Jesus calls His followers to a radical forgiveness, urging them to forgive even when wronged repeatedly, just as God extends mercy to all who repent. This forgiveness is not optional but essential, and it is rooted in faith—a faith that, even if small, can move mountains and transform relationships. [12:58]

Luke 17:1-6 (ESV)
"And he said to his disciples, 'Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, "I repent," you must forgive him.' The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' And the Lord said, 'If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.'"

Reflection: Who is someone you need to forgive today, and what step can you take to offer them genuine forgiveness, trusting God to help you?

Day 4: Faith Is Trustful Surrender to God’s Power

Faith is not about doing everything on one’s own, but about trusting God’s power and reaching out to Him, especially in times of trial and weakness. Like Peter sinking in the water, believers are invited to cry out, “Lord, save me,” knowing that God’s hand is already extended to rescue and sustain them. [14:32]

Matthew 14:28-31 (ESV)
"And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel overwhelmed or afraid, and how can you reach out to Jesus in trust and surrender today?

Day 5: The Church Stands Firm on Christ the Rock

The Church endures through every trial and attack because it is founded on Christ, the solid rock, and protected by God’s promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Through the intercession of saints and the unity of believers, the Church is called to stand firm in truth and enjoy the peace that comes from God’s faithful governance. [07:01]

Matthew 16:15-19 (ESV)
"He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'"

Reflection: How can you actively support and pray for the Church’s unity and faithfulness in your community this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to honor the memory of Pope St. Leo the Great, a remarkable leader who shepherded the Church through times of great turmoil and challenge. His life reminds us that faithfulness is not reserved for the extraordinary, but is a call for each of us, no matter the complexity of our own circumstances. Like Leo, we are invited to stand firm in the truth, to trust in God’s providence, and to seek wisdom and peace through prayer and humility.

The readings today call us to integrity of heart and to seek the Lord with sincerity. The Book of Wisdom teaches that God’s Spirit flees from deceit and dwells in those who pursue goodness. We are reminded that God knows us intimately—our thoughts, our words, our actions—and that there is nowhere we can go to escape His loving presence. This is both a comfort and a challenge: to live transparently before God, allowing His wisdom to guide us along the everlasting way.

In the Gospel, Jesus warns of the seriousness of causing others to stumble, and He calls us to a radical forgiveness—one that is not limited by the number of times we are wronged. The apostles, recognizing the difficulty of this command, ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus responds by pointing to the power of even the smallest faith, a faith that can move trees and mountains. This is not a call to heroic self-reliance, but to a humble trust in God’s power at work within us.

Reflecting on the example of Pope St. Leo and the words of Jesus, we are encouraged to bring our burdens, our distractions, and our trials before God, trusting that He is already reaching out to us. Our task is not to solve every problem or to carry every weight alone, but to reach out in faith, even if it is as small as a mustard seed, and to ask the Lord to save us. In doing so, we open ourselves to the grace and peace that only He can give, and we become witnesses to His enduring truth and mercy in our world.

Key Takeaways

1. Faithfulness in Ordinary and Extraordinary Times Faithfulness is not just for saints in history, but for each of us in our daily lives. Whether facing great external threats or the quiet struggles of our own hearts, we are called to stand firm in the truth and trust in God’s providence. The example of Pope St. Leo shows that God equips us for whatever challenges we face, inviting us to respond with courage and humility. [05:30]
2. God’s Wisdom Dwells in Integrity The Spirit of God seeks out those who pursue goodness and flees from deceit and injustice. True wisdom is not found in cleverness or manipulation, but in a heart that is open, honest, and receptive to God’s guidance. Living with integrity allows us to experience the presence and direction of the Holy Spirit in all circumstances. [08:37]
3. The Power of Forgiveness and Humble Faith Jesus calls us to forgive without limit and to trust in the power of even the smallest faith. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, but of strength rooted in God’s mercy. When we struggle to forgive or to believe, we are invited to ask God to increase our faith, trusting that He can do great things through our humble trust. [12:21]
4. God’s Presence in Every Moment There is nowhere we can go to escape God’s loving presence. He knows us completely—our thoughts, our words, our actions—and He is always with us, guiding and sustaining us. This awareness invites us to live openly before God, seeking His guidance and resting in His faithful love. [10:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:00] - Gathering Song and Opening
[04:50] - Introduction to Pope St. Leo the Great
[05:30] - Lessons from Pope Leo’s Life
[06:07] - Penitential Rite and Opening Prayer
[07:01] - Prayer for the Church’s Protection
[07:55] - Reading from the Book of Wisdom
[08:37] - Wisdom and the Holy Spirit
[10:05] - Psalm: God’s Intimate Knowledge
[10:45] - God’s Presence Everywhere
[11:42] - Gospel Acclamation and Reading
[12:21] - Jesus on Sin, Forgiveness, and Faith
[12:58] - Reflections on Faith and Trust
[13:52] - Pope Leo’s Example in Hardship
[14:32] - The Call to Simple Faith
[15:11] - Prayers of the Faithful
[18:07] - Preparation of the Gifts
[19:04] - Eucharistic Prayer
[22:43] - Doxology and the Lord’s Prayer
[24:03] - Sign of Peace and Communion
[26:19] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
[32:36] - Blessing and Dismissal
[33:17] - Closing Song
[34:22] - End

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Faithfulness, Integrity, and Humble Trust (Pope St. Leo the Great)

Bible Reading

Wisdom 1:1-7 (ESV)
> Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord with uprightness, and seek him with sincerity of heart; because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him. For perverse thoughts separate people from God, and when his power is tested, it exposes the foolish; because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, nor dwell in a body enslaved to sin. For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit, and will leave foolish thoughts behind, and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness. For wisdom is a kindly spirit, but will not free blasphemers from the guilt of their words; because God is witness of their inmost feelings, and a true observer of their hearts, and a hearer of their tongues. Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together knows what is said.

Psalm 139:1-10 (ESV)
> O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Luke 17:1-6 (ESV)
> And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Observation Questions

According to the reading from Wisdom, what kind of person does God’s Spirit dwell with, and what kind of person does it flee from? ([08:37])
In Psalm 139, what does the psalmist say about God’s knowledge of us and His presence in our lives? ([10:05])
In the Gospel reading, what does Jesus say about forgiveness and the seriousness of causing others to stumble? ([12:21])
What request do the apostles make to Jesus after hearing His teaching on forgiveness, and how does Jesus respond? ([12:21])

Interpretation Questions

The Book of Wisdom says that “wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul.” What does this suggest about the connection between our inner life and our ability to receive God’s guidance? ([08:37])
The psalmist describes God as knowing every detail about us, even our thoughts and words before we speak them. How might this awareness affect the way someone lives their daily life? ([10:05])
Jesus calls for forgiveness “seven times in one day” if someone repents. Why do you think Jesus sets such a high standard for forgiveness? ([12:21])
The apostles ask Jesus to “increase our faith” after hearing about radical forgiveness. What does this reveal about their understanding of faith and its connection to forgiveness? ([12:21])

Application Questions

Pope St. Leo faced huge challenges, but the sermon said faithfulness is not just for saints in history, but for each of us in our daily lives. What is one challenge you are facing right now where you need to stand firm in faith? How can you respond with courage and humility this week? ([05:30])
The Book of Wisdom teaches that God’s Spirit flees from deceit and dwells in those who pursue goodness. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with honesty or integrity? What is one step you can take to live more transparently before God and others? ([08:37])
The sermon talked about the power of forgiveness and how it is not a sign of weakness, but of strength rooted in God’s mercy. Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? What would it look like to ask God to help you take a step toward forgiveness, even if your faith feels small? ([12:21])
Jesus says that even faith as small as a mustard seed can do great things. When have you felt like your faith was too small? How can you reach out to God this week, even if it’s just a simple prayer for help? ([12:21])
The psalmist says there is nowhere we can go to escape God’s loving presence. Is there a part of your life where you have been trying to hide from God? What would it look like to invite Him into that area? ([10:45])
The sermon encouraged us to bring our burdens and distractions before God, trusting that He is already reaching out to us. What is one burden or distraction you want to lay before God today? How can your small group support you in this? ([14:32])
Pope St. Leo’s example shows that God equips us for whatever challenges we face. Can you think of a time when you felt unprepared but saw God provide what you needed? How does that memory encourage you for what you are facing now? ([05:30])

Sermon Clips

“Our life may not be as complicated as his was. But still we have to be faithful to the challenges that are presented to us. So we ask for his intercession. We prepare ourselves to meet Christ today by first calling to mind our sins.”

“Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not and dwells she in a body under depth of sin. Nor dwells she in a body in under depth of sin. For the Holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counselss, and when injustice occurs, it is rebuked.”

“For wisdom is a kindly spirit. Yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips. Because God is the witness of his inmost self and the sure observer of his heart and the listener to his tongue.”

“Oh Lord, you have probed me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I stand. You understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize. With all my ways you are familiar.”

“Behold, oh Lord, you know the whole of it. Behind me and before you hem me in and rest your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

“If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast. Guide me Lord along the everlasting way.”

“"Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard.”

“If your brother sins, rebuke him. And if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, "I'm sorry," you should forgive him.”

“"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this malberry tree, be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you." The Gospel of the Lord.”

“There's a saying from Pope John the 23rd who led the church through the beginning of the Second Vatican Council. Do you guys hear that feedback? Okay. I don't know how hearing aids work. I don't know if that's one though.”

“Just imagine Pope Leo the Great in the uh fifth century experiencing all that hardship, heresies, um just uh attacks from without from Huns, vandals threatening to sack your city.”

“And at that time there wasn't really a great uh civil authority there to the separation of church and the state isn't like what it is today. He was like the political leader. So it fell on him kind of when the when when when the empire was falling uh that's why the huns were there.”

“And yet um our Lord just says just pray for faith, right? Faith is this trust, this willingness to submit to one who has power and uh we don't have to try to do too much except you know the main thing we're called to do is to say Lord save me like Peter did”

“When he was falling into the water. um hold your hand out to the Lord and ask him to save you because he's already extending his hand to us. So we'll just we'll end with that.”

“We have many trials in our lives, many obligations and distractions and and things that weigh us down. But we come before you today with great faith to receive the graces and the gifts that you have in store for us.”

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