Daily Gospel Reflection for October 15, 2020

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

Reflection by Melanie Rigney

Today's Gospel: Luke 11:47-54 - Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus

There’s a woman at my parish, let’s call her Ann. She has some challenges. She wears a wool stocking cap even when the temperature hits three digits, and I’ve never seen her in anything but blue jeans. She’s all but obsessed with a priest who was in our parish for a while but is now hundreds of miles away. She likes to sit with the choir during Mass, even though she doesn’t sing.

The Pharisees wouldn’t have had much use for Ann. She wouldn’t have met their requirements for knowledge of the law or intellect. They probably also wouldn’t have much use for the guy who comes to Mass every week and sits, never participating in the responses or going to communion, or the woman who brings three children, at least one of whom is fidgeting or talking at all times.

But Ann knows she loves Jesus. She’ll tell you that if you ask her, and sometimes even if you don’t. I have never, ever seen any one at my parish, ordained or lay, treat Ann with anything less than total kindness and respect. I’ve also never seen anyone give the third degree to the guy who sits, or tell the mother she’d be better off staying home until her children are old enough to behave.

These things make me love my parish. They remind me that this is what Christians do: not only do we seek to move ever closer and closer to the Lord, we welcome anyone else who’s attempting to do the same.

Ponder:

In what way are you consciously or unconsciously seeking to take the key of knowledge from someone?

Pray:

Lord, I leave the judging to You. Teach me to love in Your name.

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Not only do we seek to move ever closer and closer to the Lord, we welcome anyone else who’s attempting to do the same. #dailygospel

Copyright 2020 Melanie Rigney

Melanie Rigney loves to write and speak about saints and the Proverbs 31 woman and how they bless us today. The author of several books, she is a regular contributor to Living Faith and Catholic Digest. Learn more about her at www.rejoicebeglad.com.