Daily Gospel Reflection for February 25, 2023

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

Reflection by Rick Hernandez

Today's Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

If we work to remove oppression, falsehood, and malice from our interior life, what should we place in that empty space? Let us try for peace, truth, and benevolence. If from our newfound approach, we can "lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday." (Isaiah 58:10)

Levi, the tax collector, was called by Christ and accepted the call. Levi not only opened his house to Jesus but invited many others, sinners, to Christ's table so they could experience an encounter with our Lord. Levi rejected his old life's oppression, falsehood, and malice and embraced the peace, truth, and benevolence of his newfound relationship with Christ. He opened his house so that Jesus Himself could bestow bread to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted. Light shone in Levi's house, and the gloom was displaced.

Jesus took this opportunity to tend to the many away from him, reclaiming us, sinners. How many of those at the table do you imagine were able to dispel a life of sin by encountering Christ? How many of them do you think became disciples, apostles? How many more do you think were saved by the testimony of those present at the table?

Many of us forget we were once just like Levi, people of the world and not of Christ. So many of us lived oppressed, with falsehood and malice. Do we remember the moment of encounter that helped turn us around? We might still struggle to become all Christ calls us to be, but can we be grateful that He came for us sinners? Let us embrace our gratitude and invite those struggling in life to sit with us at the Eucharistic table.

Ponder:

Christ's example encourages us to share our life in Him with those around us. Do we include those that struggle? We can let our gratitude to Christ be our driving force to lead others toward a relationship with Christ. Whom do we call to sit at the table?

Pray:

Lord, we are grateful you came for us sinners and called us to Your table. Help us to live Your peace, truth, and benevolence. May we share Your nourishing love with the many who struggle to thrive, and may we grow together from our relationship with You. May our testimony sing Your praises forever.

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Many of us forget we were once just like Levi, people of the world and not of Christ. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Rick Hernandez

Common sense Catholic. Rick Hernandez is a Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament and a Director for Elisheba House. He lives in Trinity, Florida, with his wife, Ivonne, and their children. He writes regularly for the Elisheba Blog and the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament's Daily Eucharistic Reflection. You can find out more at https://www.elishebahouse.com/rick-hernandez.html