--- title: Daily Gospel Reflection for February 1, 2018 description: Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/2018/02/01/daily-gospel-reflection-february-1-2018/#) # Daily Gospel Reflection for February 1, 2018 Feb 1, 2018 5:01:58 AM  |  by [Claire McGarry](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/author/claire-mcgarry) Receive Daily Gospel Reflections in your inbox ***Today's Gospel: [Mark 6:7-13](http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020118.cfm)*** My friend Jess always makes the best mixed CDs for her kids' birthday party favors. That's how Taylor Swift's song "Shake It Off" made its way into our lives. Although my boys cringe when it comes on, my daughter and I sing together at the top of our lungs. I love the message behind it: Despite the mean things people think or say, shake it off. Unkind people try to drag us down. It's a power play: a game created by them, with their rules, with them in charge. Why would we expend any time and energy on a game we'll never win? If we even let them engage us, we hand over our power. It's fascinating to me that this twenty-something, beautiful pop-star is echoing the words of Jesus from two thousand years ago. In Mark 6, when Jesus is sending His disciples out for the first time, He says the same thing; then takes it a step further: If anyone rejects you, don't just shake off what they think and say, shake off the dust of that place in testimony against them. Of course none of us is perfect; and we could all try harder. But when we do try our best, what people think or say doesn't matter. There are only so many hours in a day to accomplish what we need to do. Jesus want us to stay focused on what's good and true, shaking off everything else that robs us of our joy, and our purpose. ### Ponder: Do I let what people think and say rob me of my joy? Whose approval should I really be seeking? ### Pray: Ever-encouraging God, remind me that the only opinion I need to concern myself with is Yours. Give me the strength and courage I need to always choose the right thing, no matter how unpopular. --- *Copyright 2018 Claire McGarry* **Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning!** * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name * **Interests ** Daily Digest Daily Gospel Reflections Sunday Brunch Specials Catholic Mom.com Book Club   [![Gospel Reflections 800x800 gold outline](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Gospel-Reflections-800x800-gold-outline-400x400.png)](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Gospel-Reflections-800x800-gold-outline.png) ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2F2018%2F02%2F01%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-february-1-2018%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2F2018%2F02%2F01%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-february-1-2018%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2F2018%2F02%2F01%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-february-1-2018%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Daily%20Gospel%20Reflection%20for%20February%201%2C%202018) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2F2018%2F02%2F01%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-february-1-2018%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2F2018%2F02%2F01%2Fdaily-gospel-reflection-february-1-2018%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Claire McGarry](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Claire%20McGarry.jpg) ### [Claire McGarry](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/author/claire-mcgarry) Claire McGarry is the author of [Grace in Tension: Discover Peace with Martha and Mary](https://amzn.to/3w2ZEgR), and the Lenten family devotionals [With Our Savior](https://www.creativecommunications.com/Products/FM3TV/with-our-savior-family-devotions-for-lent.aspx) and [Abundant Mercy](https://catholic.creativecommunications.com/Products/AM5TV/abundant-mercy-family-devotions-for-lent.aspx). Claire is a regular contributor to *Living Faith*, and her freelance work has appeared in several books, magazines, and devotionals. She blogs weekly at [Shifting My Perspective](https://shiftingmyperspective.com/), and lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. Follow her on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ClaireMcGarryAuthor), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clairemcgarrywrites/), and [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Claire-McGarry/e/B07NCB7ZKL). [**](https://www.facebook.com/ClaireMcGarryAuthor) [**](https://twitter.com/clairemcgarry2) ## Related Blog Articles [ Daily Gospel Reflection for February 18, 2019 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/2019/02/18/daily-gospel-reflection-for-february-18-2019/) [ Daily Gospel Reflection for November 15, 2019 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/2019/11/15/daily-gospel-reflection-for-november-15-2019/) [ Daily Gospel Reflection for June 17, 2019 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/2019/06/17/daily-gospel-reflection-for-june-17-2019/) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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