Daily Gospel Reflection for July 30, 2019

Reflection by Colleen O'Dowd Today's Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43 I love how Jesus mic-drops the parables — to fulfill Scripture, even cooler — but then dismisses the crowds and goes “into the house” to break it down for the disciples who want to know more. Jesus is a servant to the servants, as we will continue to find out. Jesus does not what He is told but what He is asked. Jesus answers their questions and tells the truth, which inspires more confident questions and a deeper relationship. Today is the feast day of Blessed Solanus Casey, a Capuchin Franciscan Friar from Wisconsin, who has an amazingly humble story. He spent most of his life as a priest in service — menial service — as the porter or doorman because he had not done well enough in his studies to be allowed to preach or hear confessions. This might have been a temptation to bitterness or jealousy, but like Jesus, Solanus did what he was asked. And he did it with great love and gave himself as gift. Soon enough “into the house,” with Solanus as the porter, meant careful conversations and relationships built with people as they waited for appointments. Solanus became especially gifted as a wonderworker, praying for special intentions, saying mass for the sick, listening to peoples’ stories and deepening relationships with others mediating deeper relationship with Jesus. Solanus and Jesus both gifted themselves in relationship with others. Both lived in humble poverty. Both told the truth and did what they were asked to do through their whole lives: Solanus with the sick and the poor, and Jesus with the same oppressed people.

Ponder:

For whom in my life might I be the “doorway” or “porter” into the house where Jesus is?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, I desire to bring others to You. Help me to hold open the door and invite others into relationship with You through an authentic relationship with me. Help me learn to lovingly and generously “waste time” with others.

Copyright 2019 Colleen O'Dowd Colleen O’Dowd is the Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization at Holy Spirit Parish in Stevens Point, WI. She loves being Catholic, her Converse all-stars are always liturgically correct, and she is a super-saint-geek! She blogs ultra-occasionally at www.ourheartswereburningwithin.wordpress.com and can also be found @catholiccolleen on Twitter and Instagram. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required