Daily Gospel Reflection for February 12, 2025

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

Today's Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Jesus wants us to get to the heart of the matter. When we sin, it’s because of choices that we make. It’s nobody else’s fault. Our angry outbursts, excessive dramatic displays, our grumbling and complaints, are all things that we choose. Why do we sin when we don’t want to? Why do we continually stumble and fall? Christ gives us a clue when He says we are not in danger of anything “that enters one from outside,” so long as it passes through. In other words, it’s what we let stay in our hearts. Do we harbor grudges? Do we blame others? Why is it that we struggle with sin? It may come down to what influences we allow to take hold of us.

Think of the human heart as God’s castle. He provides a heavy gate, guarded by soldiers of conscience. He has given us free will, so it’s up to us to not let just anything enter. We need to be careful of what we allow to influence our thinking.

Our Catholic faith suggests many ways to restore the good treasure in our hearts. Participating in weekday Mass, praying the Rosary, meditating on Sacred Scripture, tending to our vocation, avoiding near occasions of sin, and frequent receptions of the sacraments are some things that we can make part of our weekly routine.

Ponder:

Have you prayerfully considered the root cause of your sin? Consider talking with your priest about this during the sacrament of confession, and perhaps you will discover the virtue to practice as a way to overcome it.

Pray:

Dear Lord, give me the courage to be honest with myself, to conquer habitual sin and all vices that limit my love for You and others. I ask for the grace to love like a saint.

Daily Gospel 2