Daily Gospel Reflection for February 11, 2025

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

Today's Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

It's easy to get caught up in the trivial things and forget what matters. I remember the days when we were raising young boys and trying to juggle dinner and laundry and Little League games that lasted until 8pm. 

Dinners often consisted of squished sandwiches made in the morning, then thrown into my bag and eaten in the car on the drive home. Hygiene was low on the list of considerations in those days - eating something vaguely nutritional while at the same time not having to cook a meal at 9pm was the goal. 

This is not a perfect analogy for what Jesus is talking about in this Gospel passage, but it is relevant. The why (eating dinner) was more important than the how (in the car with unwashed hands).

The Pharisees were unhappy that Jesus did not adhere to the Jewish faith's rules and laws. It seemed a slap in the face to the priests whose job was to lead their people in the path of righteousness.

This played out over and over during the years of Jesus' ministry. Time and again, Jesus reminded His followers and opponents that the rules were not most important - their faith and love for God were. The why over the how.

Unfortunately, I still see this today. Judging others on the length of a dress at Mass, the reverence of a genuflection - we get caught up in the "rules" and forget it's more important to notice whether our heart is in the right place for worship.

Ponder:

When I'm quick to judge myself or others on appearance or adherence to a rule, how can I prepare my heart to be opened to God's love above all else?

Pray:

Our Lady of Lourdes, help us to be like Bernadette and respond to God's call with an open, loving, and obedient heart.

Copyright 2025 Cathi Kennedy