Daily Gospel Reflection for August 22, 2020

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Kerri Baunach

Today's Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12 - Memorial of the Queenship of Mary

I think most of us will agree that it is much more pleasant to follow a leader or person in authority when we see that person act with humility. I’d rather work hard for someone who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty and doing the work with the rest of the group, than one who finds the work beneath them and only gives orders to everyone else. Being humble in our work, in our families, and in our faith life is attractive to others.

In today’s Gospel Jesus points out how the spiritual leaders of the Jews are not acting with humility. They expect everyone else to follow the laws to the letter, but they themselves do not. They expect their titles to be proof enough that they are important. To expect the people to do as they say only because of their title or authority, is the complete opposite of humility.

What will help us on our road to heaven? Being humble: knowing that we are not worthy to be in Heaven but must depend on the graces we receive through the sacraments and the mercy of God. This is a work of the heart. The scribes and Pharisees may have looked the part, but in their hearts they did not possess the humility that God desires from His people.

And what about those titles? The titles themselves aren’t bad. The problem is the people who let them go to their head. A true spiritual leader is humble. The title “Father” is not for exalting someone or giving them superior status, rather it is a call for even greater humility.

Being humble in our work, in our families, and in our faith life is attractive to others. #dailygospel

Ponder:

How might I fight against pride and instead foster a greater sense of humility in my heart?

Pray:

Help me, Lord, to never desire the titles and pride of place in this world, but to seek only to be a servant to others and remain humble in my heart. Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us!

Copyright 2020 Kerri Baunach

Kerri Baunach lives in Lexington, KY with her husband and three boys. She’s a Benedictine Oblate with the Archabbey of St. Meinrad in Indiana, heads up the Vocations Ministry at her parish, and is a former writer and editor at CatholicSistas.com.