Daily Gospel Reflection for July 27, 2021

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

Reflection by Jennifer Durney

Today's Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Hearing this parable repeatedly throughout my life always brought a sense of hurry to my soul. Even though the Lord already knows my fate and has since before I was made, I must remember to always live as a “good seed” to one day meet the harvest. It brings to mind thoughts of the end times and judgment and a reckoning of my own life before the Just Judge. These are hardly pleasant or comforting thoughts most days.

And then I had kids.

And, while I still flinch with uneasiness thinking about my own soul at the time of judgment, what makes me so much more anxious is imagining my, still very young, children and the life and choices that lie before them which will also end in their own judgment.

Now, I know I’m not the Son of Man who orchestrates this intricate sowing, but I begin to ponder if my example and my teaching and my love of my girls provides them with enough good seed to make the right choices. Or, on the days when I’m tired or grumpy and I leave them to their own devices or rush through our morning prayers, if I’m allowing room for the weeds. I’ve never been an excellent gardener, but even I know what one little weed can take from a flower.

My actions and my faith have never mattered more than when little eyes and ears began to pay attention. I know my children will live their own lives complete with happiness and suffering but as their mom, I want to see them in heaven someday. And for that reason, every morning I vow to work harder to cultivate my own life and provide the guideposts for theirs.

Ponder:

A garden is constantly in need of care regardless of the season of life. What today needs to be pruned, watered or supported to produce the best fruit in your faith garden, and how can you help the gardens surrounding you?

Pray:

Lord, I know that before you planted me, my future was known by You. Help me to trust You with my life and the lives of my family and trust that, through our faith and our works, the fruit from the good seeds that You planted in us may always give You glory.

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My actions and my faith have never mattered more than when little eyes and ears began to pay attention. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Jennifer Durney

Jennifer Durney ministers in the Diocese of Erie in a variety of roles, all of which try her patience and stretch her heart in the best ways possible. She is blessed to share her life with her husband, Matt, and is in love with being Momma to their beautiful children, Vivianne and Gianna and a new baby, arriving June 2021!