Daily Gospel Reflection for October 8, 2021

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 11:15-26

When my children were little, attending Mass was the most exercise I got all week. The toddler years were exhausting; as they climbed over and under the pew, no amount of Cheerios seemed to keep them appeased. I'd bring half the toy room; still, the boys would become restless before we even reached the Gospel. Many Sunday mornings, I would wake fighting my urge to stay home and make an excuse; God would understand; He sees the struggle. Today's Gospel reminds me of the importance of gathering with God. If I skipped a week, it became easier to skip the next. As with all relationships, when you let time go between your visits, a distance grows. If we do not gather with God, we will scatter.

Our family's solution was to find a balance—sometimes we alternated between "in Mass" childcare duties. Occasionally, we had to sacrifice attending as a family, also essential to have the children attend Mass; there were weeks it made more sense to attend separately. There is no absolute answer; it required prayerful planning. However, it was life-changing, realizing there were options besides being frazzled in obeying the Lord's command to make the Sabbath holy.

The armor we cloth our family in, such as prayer, sacrament, and Scripture, prepares not only our souls for Heaven and a stronger relationship with Christ but the souls of our children as well. The demons that battle for our souls are so devious; we can not often perceive them; their objective to divide and separate us. They look to scatter the faithful. The battle to remain close to God is always worth the struggle, but remember that Jesus and all of Heaven stand ready to battle alongside us. He provides every grace for it—stay close and obey his commands.

Ponder:

Although the world tugs and pulls, what can you do every day to assure you stay gathered with God?

Pray:

Lord, I will forever adorn myself with Your armor. Each day I will put on Your truth, grace, joy, mercy, and abundant blessings. Amen.

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As with all relationships, when you let time go between your visits, a distance grows. If we do not gather with God, we will scatter. #dailygospel

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