Daily Reflection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us three challenging teachings. He speaks about what is holy, gives us the Golden Rule, and then speaks about the narrow gate.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged.” If we’re honest, this is one of the hardest teachings of Jesus to live.

A psychologist once said that every person wears three masks. The first mask is the one we show the world.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says something that sounds almost impossible: “Do not worry about your life.” Really, Jesus? Have You seen my life? Have You seen my bank account? Have You seen my children?

I wonder what would happen if Jesus walked up to us today and asked a simple question: “What did you spend most of your time looking at this week?”

Our First Reading from Sirach praises two great prophets: Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was a giant. He confronted kings. He called people back to God.

Have you ever done something nice and then immediately hoped someone noticed? Maybe you cleaned the kitchen. Nobody said thank you.

There is something surprising in today’s first reading. Ahab is not a good king. In fact, throughout the Scriptures, he is remembered as one of Israel’s worst kings.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus looks upon the crowds and sees people who are “troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”

I want you to imagine this scene for a moment. Mary and Joseph are returning from Jerusalem with a large group of relatives and friends.

One of the deepest desires of the human heart is to be chosen. Think about it. Every one of us knows what it feels like to be overlooked.

In today’s First Reading, we hear that the Church in Antioch is growing rapidly. The apostles send Barnabas to investigate what is happening. When he arrives, Scripture says, “He rejoiced when he saw the grace of God.”

One of the biggest misunderstandings about Jesus is that He came to make things easier. Sometimes people imagine the Old Testament as a book of rules..

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.” That means that if we have been baptized into Christ, if His Spirit lives within us, then our lives are meant to make a difference.

When Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount, He starts with a word that everyone wants: Blessed. In other translations, the word can mean “happy.”