Daily Gospel Reflection for March 18, 2018

Today's Gospel: John 12:20-33 - 5th Sunday of Lent “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” These words of Jesus have often come to mind, as I’ve grown in my vocation of motherhood. It would seem to be a great and grand thing, to lose your life for the sake of the Gospel. Yet, the times when I most feel that I have lost my life for the sake of the Gospel, are in the little moments. Motherhood is a vocation of sacrifice. How many sacrifices do we make, in the course of the day, for our families? How many times are we called to deny ourselves? After a night of interrupted sleep, nursing the baby, we are awoken – bright and early! – by the preschooler. Do we grumble or greet that little one with a tender word and a gentle smile? We’re hoping for some time to ourselves after tucking our little ones to bed, but just as we’re settling in to watch our favorite Netflix show...the seven-year-old emerges, crying because she can’t fall asleep. Do we care for her with kindness or respond with frustration? Over and over again, we must deny ourselves as mothers. From the moment that second pink line shows up on the pregnancy test, or we get the call from the adoption agency, until our last dying breath – we are called to become the “grain of wheat” that “falls to the ground and dies.” Do we embrace the crosses of motherhood in love? Jesus says, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” And where is he? He is with the little ones. Will we follow him there, as we daily live out our vocation to motherhood?

Ponder:

What is holding me back, right now, from giving my life over to Jesus? What graces do I need to respond in love?

Pray:

Dear Jesus, I know that I struggle to daily die to myself. Help me to take up my cross, in love, and follow You. Amen.

Copyright 2018 Michele E. Chronister Michele E. Chronister is a wife, mother, speaker, writer, and catechist. A mother to three little girls on earth, and one little one in heaven, she blogs over at www.mydomesticmonastery.com. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required