Daily Gospel Reflection for June 13, 2018

Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19 - St. Anthony of Padua “But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” Are you called to be a teacher? Whether you work in a classroom or not, you are! Jesus tells us today we should teach others how to live the commandments. In the Diocese of Green Bay, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a Belgian immigrant in 1859 named Adele Brise. She instructed her to gather the children and teach them what they needed to know for salvation, how to make the sign of the cross and approach the sacraments. As a 28-year-old immigrant, working on her family’s farm, becoming a teacher might have been the furthest thought from Adele’s mind. After all, she only had a meager education herself. But she was a faithful woman, who loved God, and she could teach by example. We are all called to be teachers, no matter our vocation. In the Rite of Baptism, parents are told they will be the first teachers of the faith for their child. Our profession of faith demands a great responsibility, not only for our own soul, but also for those whom God has entrusted to our care. As a priest, I have the care of the souls in my parish. Husbands and wives have the responsibility to lead each other to heaven, and their children too. What are the commandments Jesus wants us to live and teach? They include the 10 commandments given to Moses, but they also include his many teachings in the gospel about love of neighbor and even our enemies. It’s living the corporal works of mercy found in Matthew 25, and living the great commission. Let others be inspired by how you live your life, and you will teach them what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Ponder:

To whom does God want me to be a teacher? What teaching of Jesus can I more intently live this week in order to give witness to others?

Pray:

Lord, give me the strength to live Your commandments boldly each day so that I do not fall into sin, nor lead anyone into sin.

Copyright 2018 Fr. Edward Looney Fr. Edward Looney is a Marian theologian and priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin. He has authored 8 books, his latest include A Heart Like Mary's (Ave Maria Press) and A Rosary Litany (Flores Mariae Publishing/Vesuvius Press). Links- https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Like-Marys-Daily-Meditations/dp/1594717834/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509814869&sr=8-1&keywords=a+heart+like+marys http://www.arosarylitany.com Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required