Daily Gospel Reflection for February 16, 2025

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

My three teenagers live fully in the grip of social media. As they talk about the influencers they like, I’m astounded that people can make millions of dollars just by talking about whatever product they’re sent to review. 

Recently, when I asked my kids about a certain podcaster they listened to faithfully for years, they laughed at me and said, “He was so 2023!” Apparently, the rise and fall of these influencers is intense, but very short-lived. There’s always someone new coming onto the scene, bumping them out of popularity, stealing it for themselves.

As much as these newbies must know the lay of the land, I have to assume they think it will be different for them. They’ll defy the odds and be so well-loved that they’ll stay king of the mountain for years to come.

Of course, they won’t because people are fickle – especially in the realm of social media. There is no such thing as loyalty. It’s all about discovering the latest and greatest.

It’s such a relief that Christ teaches a different way. He warns us not to seek people’s praise so they speak well of us; we’re to seek His Father’s approval and no one else’s. 

God is constant and true. He’s never swayed by popular opinion. There are no trends to keep up with, no revolving door of who’s in and who’s out. If we follow His Word and keep His commandments, we walk the same path as followers did centuries before us.

There’s no such thing as rising to the top or blazing a new trail in faith. Instead, we’re asked to lift others up and put them before ourselves. It’s by becoming small and last that we please and glorify Him.

Ponder:

Do I seek people’s praise or God’s?

Pray:

Ever-constant God, remind me that Yours is the only approval I need.

Copyright 2025 Claire McGarry