As October draws to a close and winter approaches, we have been reflecting on the changing seasons, not only in the weather but also in the life of St. Michael Parish. We began with the familiar words of Ecclesiastes: “There is an appointed time for everything.” A time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to tear down and a time to build.

Throughout October, we have been reflecting on the changing seasons, both in the weather and in the life of St. Michael Parish. We have considered the challenges of maintaining our buildings and preparing responsibly for the future. But beneath these practical concerns is a more fundamental question: What does it mean to be a faithful and fruitful parish in the season we are living in today?

Last week, I reflected on the changing seasons and the need to ask what God is doing in this particular season of the life of St. Michael Parish. Autumn gives us another lesson: once we recognize that the season is changing, we have to prepare for what comes next.

October in Maine makes it difficult to ignore the changing seasons. The mornings are cooler, the days are shorter, and leaves that were green only a few weeks ago are beginning to turn. There is beauty in this season precisely because things do not remain the same.

Last week, I reflected on the practice of praying the St. Michael Prayer after Mass. This week, with the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael coming on September 29, I would like to look more closely at the saint whose name our parish bears.

Recently, someone asked me about the practice of praying the St. Michael Prayer after some Masses. Is it something we should be doing? Is it part of the Mass? With the Feast of the Archangels—Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael—coming at the end of the month, it seems like a good time to reflect a little on this prayer and its relationship to the Mass.

Over the past several weeks, we have reflected on the identity and mission of the laity: who they are, where their mission is lived, and how the baptized share in Christ’s threefold mission as Priest, Prophet, and King. This week, as we conclude the series, we turn to the kingly office.

We have been reflecting on the vocation of the laity. We began with who the laity are: baptized members of Christ’s Body. We then considered where their mission is lived: in the vineyard of family life, work, culture, and the wider world. Last week, we reflected on the baptismal priesthood or how the faithful bring the world to God by offering their ordinary lives through the one sacrifice of Christ. This week, we turn to the second dimension of Christ’s threefold mission: the prophetic.

Over the past several weeks, we have been reflecting on the vocation of the laity. We began with who the laity are: baptized members of Christ’s Body. Last week, we considered where their mission is lived: in the vineyard of family life, work, culture, and the wider world. Through Baptism, the faithful share in the threefold mission of Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King. This week, let us focus on what it means to share in His priesthood.

Last week, we reflected on who the laity are. Through Baptism, lay men and women are incorporated into Christ and share in His priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission. They are not simply Catholics who are “not priests,” nor merely assistants to the clergy. They have their own indispensable part in the Church’s mission. This week, we ask where that mission is ordinarily lived.

Last week, we began reflecting on “the other 99.4 percent of the week.” There are 168 hours in a week, and Sunday Mass represents about 0.6 percent. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, but it must shape the other 167 hours. Each week, we bring our lives to the altar and carry Christ from the altar into the world. This is at the heart of the lay vocation.

Over the past few weeks, we have reflected on the devil’s ordinary tactics, the four D’s: deception, division, diversion, and discouragement. Deception makes the path toward evil appear attractive, reasonable, harmless, or necessary. Division separates us from God, divides us within ourselves, and turns us against one another. Diversion distracts us from what God is actually asking of us. This week, we turn to the fourth and final tactic: discouragement.

Over the past few weeks, we have been reflecting on an overlooked aspect of discipleship: Christ gives His followers “power over unclean spirits.” We began by noting that the devil of reality is not always the devil of the movies. He is usually far more subtle. His power is limited because he is a creature, not God’s equal. In the end, much of the power he has over us is the power we surrender to him.

Over the past two weeks, we have reflected on an often-overlooked aspect of discipleship: Christ gives His followers “power over unclean spirits.” We began by noting that the devil of reality is not always the devil of the movies. He is usually far more subtle. Rather than coming at us through strange manifestations or obvious evil, he more often works through resentment, fear, discouragement, mistrust, and confusion. His power is limited because he is a creature, not God’s equal. In the end, much of the power he has over us is the power we surrender to him.