Daily Gospel Reflection on Veritas Catholic Network

Jesus Teaches on Divorce and the Indissolubility of Marriage

Today’s Gospel Reading is Matthew 19:3-12. Jesus is presenting his teaching on divorce and the indissolubility of marriage. It is so important to recognize, especially in our culture, that Jesus is teaching that marriage is holy, between a man and a woman, and is permanent.
Regardless of this truth, the Church still desires to be close to those who have marriages that are broken down, those that struggle because of these realities.
Let us pray for those in need of healing in their marriages.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. We read Luke 1:39-56.
There in the hill country, the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy and Mary is called Blessed by her cousin. This is the day that Mary, the Woman who carried Christ into the world, was brought into heaven both body and soul. She tastes already what we hope to experience because she is the Ark of the Covenant that brings the Christ into the world. She was Immaculately Conceived and lived her life in perfect Communion with the Lord.
Let us ask for her intercession that we might share in the fullness of eternal life, body and soul, the same eternal life she already participates in.

The Amazing Story of St. Maximillian Kolbe

Today’s the feast of St. Maximillian Kolbe, we read Matthew 18:15-20. Jesus teaches us how we are to correct a brother that sins against us and how often we are to forgive.
St. Maximillian Kobe, beautifully devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, helped give hope to the people in Auschwitz.  Maximillian offered himself in the place of a man that was going to be killed because the man cried out that he had a family. It was in the starvation chamber, where “two or three were present”, that Jesus was present with these individuals. St. Maximilian Kolbe was the last to survive, praying for the souls of those who had gone before and for the forgiveness of his captors.
St. Maximilian offered his life as a witness to the Good News of the Gospel. Through his intercession may we have the courage of our convictions, that we might bring the light and peace of God to all we meet.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

There is More Rejoicing In Heaven Over 1 Repentant Sinner Than From 99 Righteous People

Today’s Gospel is from Matthew 18. The disciples are asking Jesus who the greatest are in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus teaches them about being like a little child and about the lost sheep that returns to the fold. This is a good reminder that when we fall, God desires us to return to the fold. We are constantly invited back.
If you’ve wandered far, remember the words, “there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who remain faithful”.
No matter where we are on this path, let us remember this truth, if we wish to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must become like little children, take up our cross and follow Him, and that God’s mercy is for us all.

An Example of Hope for Those Who Suffer - Saint Jane Frances de Chantal

Today we read from Matthew 17:22-27, it’s the feast of St. Jane Frances De Chantal. St. Jane is a fascinating figure. She was married to a nobleman and they had six children together. Unfortunately, her husband was killed 7 years into their marriage, which lead St. Jane into a deep depression.
It was after her husbands death that she encountered St. Francis De Sales. He encouraged to her to continue to live a life of holiness.
Her story is so fascinating because her life was truly one that had difficulties. Through the intercession of St. Jane, may we come to understand our call to live in companionship with Jesus through every consolation and every difficulty.

The Story of St. Lawerence Deacon & Martyr

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Lawerence. We read from John 12:24-26. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains just a single grain. But if it falls to the ground and dies it will bear fruit.
This the beauty of what happens with the blood of the martyrs. St. Lawerence was instructed by the procurator of his government to gather the treasure of the Church and bring it to him, so St. Lawerence brought him the poor. The true treasure of the Church is the souls of the redeemed.
St. Lawerence in his great witness inspired so many to faith. 

The Feast St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein!)

 
Today’s gospel reading is Matthew 16:24-28, it is the feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Jesus instructs us to pick up our crosses and follow him. St. Teresa Benedicta does this an accomplished manner. Prior to becoming a Carmelite sister she lived as a Jewish woman, named Edith Stein. Further, she was a profound philosopher developing aspects of the philosophy titled phenomonology. This philosophy had a profound impact on Pope St. John Paul II.
Most of all, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was ultimately sent to a concentration camp during World War II, where she gave her life caring for those who were suffering.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us.

Even Peter Made Mistakes

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Dominic, we read Matthew 6:13-23. Jesus asks the apostles who people say he is and Peter gives his great confession. Jesus then names Peter the Rock, and yet Peter still struggles.
It is said that St. Dominic had the Gospel of Matthew memorized. He would have known that Peter struggled. Further still, he would have known to be wary of how personal traits could potentially stand in the way of the preaching of the Gospel.
Nonetheless, from St. Dominic, some of the great Dominican saints and theologians that followed him, the Church has received amazing insights into the Divine Logic. Let us pray today that our thoughts would be more aligned with God’s.

Jesus's Flesh is True Food and His Blood is True Drink

We continue, today, reading John 6. In the Gospel Jesus teaches that His Flesh is true food and His Blood is true drink. What happens when we come before Jesus in the Eucharist? We are given new spiritual life.
Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist and remaining before Him in Adoration is a profound blessing. Let us pray for the gift of deeper devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. 

Jesus Said WHAT?!

Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 15:21-28. The Canaanite woman comes to Jesus to beg for healing for her daughter. She asks for a gift and Jesus engages in some wordplay.
Jesus is using the stereotypes from His own era to call forth her faith. While Canaanites were looked on as “dogs”, as “less than”, Jesus uses this stereotype to show that everyone, even those who are considered to be “less than”, are capable of great faith!
Ultimately, the Canaanite woman ends up making an act of great faith! She is both humble and faithful enough to say “I’ll take even the leftovers”. Jesus wants us to come to Him with the same courage and humility. Do we pray with presumption or humility? May we today have the faith, the humility, and the courage of the Canaanite woman as we approach Jesus with our requests.

The Symbolism of the Feast of the Transfiguration

Today’s Gospel reading is Mark 9;2-10, it is the Feast of the Transfiguration!
Jesus is Transfigured before Peter, James and John. He is glorified by His Heavenly Father and speaks to Moses and Elijah. The disciples have this profound moment of closeness with Jesus, and these three disciples want to stay there, but Jesus brings them down the mountain.
Often times in the summer you have the chance for great spiritual growth. Just as we often want to “stay on the mountain” in the place of glory, we want to stay in the high points of the faith life. But to do so would be to ignore our mission. So, we must “go back down the mountain” and serve. 
Still, just as Jesus goes back down the mountain with Peter, James and John, when the spiritual high begins to ebb and flow, Jesus comes down the mountain with us and walks with us in the ordinary moments of life.
Praised Be Jesus Christ!
 

Mary is Theotokos, the Mother of God

Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 14:13-21. It is the feast of the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. This basilica was built after the Council of Ephesus in the year 431, when Mary was affirmed as the Theotokos, the Mother of God.
Why build and celebrate the dedication of this Basilica? It helps remind us that Mary accompanies us by her intercession & prayer. In the Gospel today, the apostles bring to Jesus five loaves and two fish. In a certain way, they intercede just as Mary intercedes and prays for us, that we might receive the graces necessary for our lives.
When we celebrate the dedication of a Church, we also remember the universality of the Church. 
Praised Be Jesus Christ! 

Do You Seek the Bread of Life?

Today we continue in the Bread of Life discourse, reading John 6:24-35.
The people are seeking out Jesus because He has fed them. They are looking for more food. But as he does so He helps them recognize that the physical hunger they feel corresponds to the spiritual hunger they have. We seek not that which only satisfies the body, but that which satisfies the soul.
The Eucharist is more than just a passing moment. the Eucharist is the presence of Christ enduring with us in our time so that we can prepare to be with Him in eternity.
Lord, give us this bread always. Help us to always be hungry for You in the Eucharist!

Christians Are Persecuted For Telling the Truth, We Should Still Tell the Truth

Today we read from Matthew 14:1-12. Here, we hear the story of the death of St. John the Baptist.
John the Baptist is beheaded because Herod is a lost soul, and more importantly, because John told the truth.
We live in an age where Christians are mocked and even persecuted for telling the truth. We should still tell the truth.
Through the intercession of St. John the Baptist may we have the courage of our convictions, the strength to stand strong in a hostile culture, and have the perseverance to run the race.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us!
 

Jesus Doesn't Force Himself Upon Us

Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 13:54-58.
As Jesus teaches in the synagogue in his hometown the people question His Person and His authority. As such, Jesus was “unable to do many might deeds there”.
This shows that Jesus’s miracles are cooperative. What happens if we don’t ask, if we don’t believe, if we refuse His grace? Jesus will not force His goodness and miracles upon us. He doesn’t force Himself.
He waits, he gives us the chance to say yes or no.
Let us pray for patience in spreading the Gospel and for the docility to cooperate with the Lord’s grace.
 

The Kingdom of God is Open to All, But All Are Called to Conversion

Today is the feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori. The Gospel reading is Matthew 13:47-53.
The Kingdom of heaven collects fish of every kind. At the end of time the good and righteous are separated from the bad. What this means is that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to all people; good, bad and ugly. The bad aren’t outrightly rejected, they are simply called to change.
The Catholic Church means “here comes everyone”, and “everyone” is called to conversion.
 

A Life Lived With Jesus Is Better Than EVERYTHING Else

Today is the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Gospel Reading is Matthew 13:44-46. Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to someone who sells everything they have for a field with a hidden treasure or one pearl of great price. Jesus is telling us that eternal life in Heaven is worth everything that we have.
St. Ignatius of Loyola is a great example of one who sells what they have for the Lord. Upon a great conversion during his recovery he finally finds the one thing that he had been seeking after all along.
Here is what we need to remember. God is the better part. A life lived with Jesus is better than a life of material goods. They will not satisfy us.
Let us pray, through the intercession of St. Ignatius of Loyola, for the grace to sell everything for the pearl of great price, life with Jesus Christ Himself.
Praised Be Jesus Christ!

Perfect Us, Oh Lord

Today’s Gospel Reading is Matthew 13:36-43. The Apostles ask Jesus to explain to them the Parable of the sower and seed. Jesus explains that whatever evil we may have to endure, God has the final victory. God in His goodness offers us victory over sin and death.
He separates that which is evil, and so we pray, that the Lord would cast into the fire that which is evil in us, so we might be perfected in Him.
Praised Be Jesus Christ! 

Jesus's Friendship with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Today is the feast of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. We read from the Gospel of John 11:19-27.
Jesus in his friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus wants to be with them in this moment of sadness. It is the last of His miracles of His public ministry.
In the juxtaposition between Martha and Mary we see the dispositions of the human heart. Martha, who once condemned Mary for sitting at Jesus’s feet, is the first to run to Jesus this time, where as Mary, remains at home.
This story reminds us that Jesus wants to restore us, and most of all, call out of us the confession of faith he called out of Martha.
Praised Be Jesus Christ!

Christ Desires to Feed Our Hunger

Today’s Gospel Reading is John 6:1-15. We are the beginning of the Bread of Life Discourse. Jesus teaches that He has come to feed the world, starting by literally feeding this crowd of 5,000.
His will is that we would be fed, that we would have enough to be actually satisfied. Importantly, Jesus not only wants to satisfy our physical hunger but our spiritual hunger.
Everyone has been made to seek the Lord. Jesus is teaching the apostles to have this outlook, and that’s why he says to the disciples, how they would feed this crowd”? Reflecting on this, we should ask ourselves, how can we bring the presence of Christ, especially the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, to others.
Praised Be Jesus Christ!