Daily Gospel Reflection for December 10, 2020

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

I have always been intrigued by Saint John the Baptist’s story. He was not afraid to be bold, and he often kept himself separated from others, preferring to pray in silence and live off of the land. Although I have never felt called to the life of a hermit, this type of lifestyle fascinates me: the freedom to structure your day as you like, the beauty and quiet of nature around you, and the closeness you can cultivate to God. Also, how many of us wish we had to confidence to act on our beliefs, or pretty much anything else, as John the Baptist did? In my experience, a bit more confidence comes with age, but certainly not to the degree that we see here!

Yet in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that even the least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist. Even the greatest of men on earth is surpassed by a small soul in heaven. We may or may not fulfill the daunting prospect of living out our Christian walk in as dramatic a way as this great man, but we can in fact achieve something spectacular by quietly living out our faith and vocations to the best of our ability. It may not look exactly the same as what John the Baptist did, but the result is the highest of rewards. We are all called to different things, and that diversity is what makes our world such a beautiful place. God wants the best for each one of us, and wants to be with us for all eternity. There is nothing greater than that.

Ponder:

In what way can I act out Saint John the Baptist's courage in my everyday life?

Pray:

Lord, I do not always have the fortitude and strength to make the best decisions, and to stick to what I know is right. Help me to have the courage and boldness of Saint John the Baptist as I live out my Christian walk.