Daily Gospel Reflection on Veritas Catholic Network

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ! Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In the second reading, 2 Tim 4:1-8, Paul instructs Timothy to preach the Gospel “in and out of season”. As we celebrate the Immaculate Heart of Mary we can contemplate Mary’s constant pondering of the Life of Christ, and furthermore, her perfect example of loving the Christian life. Mary is the perfect example of bearing witness at all times, both in the upper room and underneath the cross.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Daily Gospel Reflection

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
The Heart of Jesus burns with love for humanity, it is wounded but constantly pours out love. As Jesus reveals his Most Sacred Heart to St. Mary Alacoque He emphasizes His desire that the Gospel be shared with the whole world.
The Lord calls of us, who are, with St. Paul, “the least of the holy ones” to share the Gospel . Let us pray for the grace to cooperate with Our Lord’s desire to share the Good  News with the whole world.

The Two Greatest Commandments - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel Reading is Mark 12:28-34. Jesus provides us with the two greatest commandments. To love God above all others and to love all others for God. By putting God first, we are able to love all others properly.
Today, let us pray for the grace to put into practice the first and greatest Commandment and the second which is like it.

Preaching the Gospel in a Pagan World - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s First Reading is from 2 Tim 1. Paul is reminding Timothy that the Good News is not only preached but is given sacramentally. When St. Timothy was ordained he was given the gift of the Holy Spirit, a spiritual reality to live in.
St. Boniface was a tremendous witness of this, proclaiming the Gospel to a pagan people, and as such, stirring the flame in his heart. Like St. Boniface, we need to learn how to share the good news in our culture and to all the world.
St. Boniface, pray for us!

What belongs to Caesar? What Belongs to God? - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ! 
Today’s Gospel Reading is Mark 12:13-17.
Jesus is asked if it’s a sin to pay the census tax. The census, remember, is a grave act for the Jews (cf. David's census being considered a grave sin). Nonetheless, Jesus says those famous words “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mk 12:17). The Lord’s instruction applies today, don’t allow the earthly authority to determine how you relate to God. We shouldn’t allow our faith to be so temporal that it is dictated by an earthly authority.
 

The Amazing Story of St. Charles Lwanga (Ugandan Martyr) - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel Reading is Mark 12:1-12. Today is the feast of St. Charles Lwanga. St. Charles was a man who was appointed an official to his king in Uganda after his predecessor was executed for challenging the king’s decision to execute Anglican missionaries. Charles not only protected other servants in the kings court, but gave his life defending them from the sexual advances of the corrupt king.
St. Charles Lwanga is a martyr for chastity, for others, and for the Catholic Faith. Today let us pray through the intercession of St. Charles Lwanga for all those who have been the victims of sexual abuse.

Jesus Christ is TRULY Present in the Eucharist - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!Today’s Gospel Reading is Mark 14:12-26. It is fitting that we hear of the Last Supper on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi! Today we celebrate the Eucharist, the gift of the Lord’s very presence. As we are in a time of Eucharistic Revival, we are reminded of our need for this great gift.
What is our disposition before the Eucharist today? Let us pray for the grace to grow in our appreciation and gratitude for the great gift of the Holy Eucharist.

St. Justin Martyr on the Mass - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel is Mark 11: 27-33. It is the feast of St. Justin Martyr. St. Justin is one of the earliest apologists in the history of the Church. He writes about the structure of the Mass, Christians in society, and standing against the temptation to earthly power.
St. Justin also shares how the priest gives God praise and worship to the best of their ability. Let us pray that we might do so as well in our own worship?
St. Justin Martyr, Pray for us!

The Visitation of Mary - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel Reading is Luke 1:39-56, it is the feast of the Visitation!
When Mary greets Elizabeth, John the Baptist jumps in the womb of Mary. So too, we hear the great phrase “blessed are you” and the Magnificcat, “my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”.
Through the message of the Gospel, we are being invited into the greatness of the Lord. Does our soul proclaim God’s greatness and glory?
Our Lady of the Visitation, pray for us!
 

Jesus Goes Through Jericho! - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel Reading is Mark 10:46-52.
The fact that Jesus is leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd of people is significant. Jericho represents “the walled place” that needs to be destroyed. What is it then? It’s sin.Jesus thus goes to the city of sin on a mission, and when he leaves, there are many people who leave with Him.
Let us pray for the grace to be among those who leave their sins behind and follow Jesus.

What Is Required of Jesus's Disciples? - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel Reading is Mark 10:32-45.
Jesus is reminding his apostles what is going to happen, namely, that he will suffer and die. He’s also reminding them what is required of his disciples.
We also learn several lessons about what it means to pray as a disciple. If you’re going to be a disciple you have to prepare yourself for challenges, difficulties, and put yourself last.
 

What Do We Get For Following Jesus? - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel Reading is Mark 10:28-31.
The Apostles have given up everything to follow Jesus. What will happen to them? What’s the reward? The reward is that they will receive one hundredfold in return, in the next life, and persecution in this life.
Even if we experience persecution, it is worth it for the gift of everlasting life.

What Do You Need To Give Up To Follow Jesus - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Goose Reading is Mark 10:17-27.
A rich young man asks Jesus how to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus gives him (and us) the fundamental rule, follow the commandments. Further, if you do this, sell what you have, give to the poor, and come and follow Jesus.
What is holding you back from true discipleship?

The Mystery of the Trinity - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Reading is MT 28:16-28. This Gospel calls us to contemplate the specific mystery that God is a Trinity of Persons.
Ultimately, the Trinity is not something that we are fully capable of understanding. Nonetheless, we are able to enter into relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Always Lead with Prayer & Follow With Works - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today the first reading is James 5:13-20.
James is instructing the Christian community on prayer. He teaches we should always lead with prayer and draw together in union in service, in other words to act in word and deed.

Jesus Teaches on Divorce - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ! 
Today’s Gospel reading is Mark 10:1-12.
Today, Jesus teaches on divorce. “In the beginning it was not so”. Marriage is meant to highlight the complimentary of man and woman, with their union being a sign of the love of God Himself.
This is so challenging because we so often fail to be a good example of God’s love to each other. 
 

Sin Vs. Discipleship - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel is Mark 9:41-50. 
If we were to cause one of the littlest one to sin, we’d be better to have a millstone tied around our neck and thrown into the sea. These are not gentle words. Jesus is highlighting just how dangerous sin is. Sin truly causes death.
Jesus teaches us that the key to overcoming sin is to be a disciple of Jesus. Will people see in me love for Jesus? Or, am I one who leads people away from the Lord?
Let us pray for the grace of true discipleship.

Whoever is Not Against Jesus Is For Him? - Daily Gospel Reflection

Today’s Gospel Reading is Mark 9:38-40.
The apostles find a man casting out demons in the name of Jesus. They go to stop him, but Jesus prevents them saying that anyone who is not “against us” is for us.
Jesus desires that all of us would be exercising His power, bringing His mercy and light to the world. Jesus desires that all people would come to great faith.
It’s also helpful to remember that it’s not all up to one class of believers. Not just the pope, the bishops, the priests or laity, but all believers.

The First Must Be Last - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel reading is Mark 9:30-37. If we want to be first, we must be last. If we want to have any kind of status at all, we must humble ourselves.
The challenge is to take the second place, to say yes when we are invited to give of ourselves. Today, let us pray for the virtue humility.

The Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church - Daily Gospel Reflection

Praised Be Jesus Christ!
Today’s Gospel Reading is John 19:25-34. Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church.
Mary is the Mother of the WHOLE Church. From the Cross, Jesus gave Mary as a mother to all of us. Just as John brings Mary into his own home, so we are called to bring her into our homes.
Mary always points us to her son, reminding us of the truths of the Gospel. The Church as a mother, mirrors Mary’s role. Each pointing us to Jesus.
Today, let’s ask for Mary’s prayers, that she might point us to her Son.