Daily Gospel Reflection for October 19, 2020

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

Reflection by Holly Novotny

Today's Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 - Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, and Companions

It’s worth looking at the final two statements here. When our earthly time is up, what kind of wealth will we be able to offer to the Lord and His people? What does it mean to be rich in the sight of God? If you are reading this, you are trying and succeeding in some ways to build that sort of wealth. In a life of prayer, of seeking to know and do God’s will, we begin to grow in that richness which will bring us into the very depths of His Most Sacred Heart. When we respond to His mercy with a deeper desire to drink from His cup, and we commit the time to pray and develop a relationship with Him, our earthly bounty becomes just a means to do the will of God. Our perspective shifts and we begin to see intimacy in prayer as the real treasure worth storing up.

On this feast day of Saint Isaac Jogues and the North American Martyrs, we look to these examples of heroic virtue that did not only give up temporal goods. These men who, as missionary priests, came to the New World to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ. They left all that was familiar in order to share mercy with the native peoples. Even after 13 torturous months imprisoned by the Iroquois, and an escape back to France, Father Isaac chose to come back to continue his mission of love. This kind of self-sacrifice could only have been possible with a deep intimacy in prayer, a deep trust in the Father’s care. The rich man in the parable that Jesus shared certainly could have learned something from these early missionaries - that it is in trusting in Divine Providence where our treasures lie.

Ponder:

When I pray, do I do all the talking or do I give the Lord the opportunity to speak new life into me, to fill me with His love and grace?

Pray:

Lord, give me the grace of deeper intimacy in my relationship with You. Help me to be silent and listen to what You want to speak into my heart.

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When we respond to His mercy with a deeper desire to drink from His cup, we begin to see intimacy in prayer as the real treasure worth storing up. #dailygospel

Copyright 2020 Holly Novotny

Holly Novotny is a wife and mother of two young adult daughters. The Lord’s mercy and grace continue to transform her into His original plan, much to her astonishment and joy. She is a Lifetime Marian Servant and as a graduate of the Cenacle School of Spirituality offers spiritual direction in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. (Podcast: numinous.fm/redeemer)