Daily Gospel Reflection for November 22, 2020

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

Today's Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Throughout our lives, starting when we are young children and begin to retain memories, we learn things about ourselves. At first, if you are anything like me, you think that perhaps you are the only person in the universe that has these specific quirks to your personality, and thus you must be rather odd; therefore it would be best if you hid these qualities from others lest they not want to be your friend. I recall thinking this about the way I feared going to school and being in a social situation that made me anxious, and even about how easily my feelings were hurt. As a third grader, I did not yet realize that there are many other introverted, sensitive souls out there just like myself. I ached for everyone to accept me and treat me kindly, but unfortunately that was not always the case. As an adult, I have the life experience to understand that this is inevitable sometimes, but as a child, I did not.

As I read today’s Gospel, I think of anxious and frightened eight year olds everywhere, and Jesus’ words truly resonate with me: “…whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” I choose the people that I spend time with in my adulthood by one personal quality: kindness. Jesus calls us to be kind, and not just to people with whom that comes easily. He calls us to be kind to everyone. We can foster goodness and charity in our lives and in the lives of others through our smallest words and actions, and we must remain vigilant in doing this always, even if we are feeling distracted or poorly disposed. Our kindness can be incredibly meaningful, even life changing, to a fellow soul.

Ponder:

What is one kind action that I can do for another person today?

Pray:

Lord, I struggle at times with impatience, distractedness and selfishness. Help me to overcome these struggles, and to always show kindness to my fellow person.