Daily Gospel Reflection for October 7, 2018

Today's Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time I don’t know about you, but I often feel very feeble as a wife and mother. In the crucible of marriage and family life, I am frequently encountering my weaknesses, my faults, and my sins. Certainly, there are many ways in which marriage, and my husband and children, make me feel stronger than ever. But, a lot of times, I feel very little, like a child. And it makes me weary and discouraged. I find a lot of hope in today’s Gospel. Immediately after teaching that “a man...shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,” Jesus addresses the children, the little ones. What does He say of them? “Let them come to me for to them belongs the Kingdom of God.” Am I one of those little ones in all my weakness and frailty? Are you? Yes, we are. In our failings and fallings, we are given the opportunity to trust radically in God’s mercy. This is Thérèse of Lisieux’s "little way." What consoles Jesus the most, Thérèse teaches us, is our total trust in Him. It’s not our merits or successes that give Him joy, but our surrender to Him, most especially in our weakness. Jesus wants to do everything for us, to be everything for us. He is our shepherd and we His little lambs. He is so tender, so loving, so patient, and the last thing He wants is for us to be discouraged. As you read the Gospel today, hear Jesus say to your heart, “Let the little ones come to me.” Then, give yourself to Him, all of you, even and especially the littlest, weakest parts. Trust Him. “And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.”

Ponder:

Do I ever become discouraged by my weaknesses and hide from the Lord?

Pray:

My Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer to You my entire heart, including the littlest, weakest parts. Increase my confidence in Your mercy and love for me.

Copyright 2018 Kelsey Wanless Kelsey Wanless is wife of a theologian and mother of three, lover of the home, beauty, and birds. She has her BA and MA in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas and wrote her master's thesis on Catholic principles for the renewal of home life. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required