Daily Gospel Reflection for November 25, 2019

Today's Gospel: Luke 21:1-4 I imagine it’s no coincidence that today’s gospel is proclaimed on the feast day of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Originally one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, saints known to the faithful of medieval times for their especially powerful intercession, St. Catherine was a princess, the daughter of the governor of Alexandria. When she confronted the emperor about his mistreatment of Christians, the emperor was less than pleased. Long story short, he condemned her to be tortured to death on a spiked wheel, but the wheel fell apart at one touch of her hand. The emperor was undeterred, but neither was Catherine. She fell by the sword. At the time of her martyrdom, she probably hadn’t yet reached her twentieth year. Isn’t the story of a girl born to wealth, comfort and privilege incongruous alongside that of a widow who has nothing but two small coins, and those she gives as directly to God as she possibly can this side of the veil? The story of these two women, old versus young, poor versus rich, shows us that God doesn’t care about our circumstances. He just invites us to love Him as lavishly as He does us. With everything. Even our very lives.

Ponder:

What is one thing I tend to forget is a gift from God? How can I offer that back to Him?

Pray:

Jesus, no matter what I have, remind me with every breath I take that it is all a gift from You. Strengthen me to know the indefatigable joy that is to be had in loving You above all things.