Daily Gospel Reflection for January 2, 2025

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

Today's Gospel: John 1:19-28

The preparations of the Lord can be incredible, laying the groundwork for miracles in our midst. I recall when I went to a life-changing Cursillo weekend, a lay-run experience where the love of God is made manifest in a profound way. Sometime after that weekend, I faced a particularly heavy cross and I felt as if my soul had been readied for the trial ahead through that amazing Cursillo.

In today’s Gospel, we hear from the cousin of Jesus, who knows well the role he is to play in salvation history: to prepare the way of the Lord. He himself is not the Messiah, but a harbinger for the Christ—the Anointed One.

It can be helpful to ask God to accompany us as we take a mental walk down memory lane. What have been some of the most significant events of our lives? How did God prepare us for them? Certainly one of the greatest preparation activities is the manner in which our Heavenly Father prepares us for motherhood. Whether we give birth to our children or form our families through the beauty of adoption, chances are God prepared us for the day of our children’s arrival in a most spectacular way.

The crosses we encounter today can help us to reach our ultimate destination: our reunion with God in heaven. Knowing that can make shouldering those crosses just a bit easier. Each of us is like a John the Baptist, preparing the way of the Lord and God’s kingdom to come. As we begin this new year, let us resolve to carry our burdens with a smile on our lips and joy in our hearts, knowing that, in the end, God wants what is best for us and hungers for our love.

Ponder:

How is God calling you right now to help prepare for His kingdom?

Pray:

Dear Lord, please help me to cheerfully carry the crosses in my life, knowing that they are part of Your glorious plan. Help me to be an ambassador of Your love.

Daily Gospel 2