Daily Gospel Reflection for February 27, 2023

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

Often when we hear this Gospel, we focus our thoughts on the act of Jesus separating the sheep from the goats. We read the words with anxiety like a kid on the playground waiting to be picked for a team at recess. We worry and hope we’ll be counted among the sheep and not left behind on the bench with the goats. But we forget that we’re not passive pawns in God’s plan. We have a role to play in determining our final destiny and, luckily, there’s room on God’s “team” for everyone.

This Gospel reveals something to us about the difference between the sheep and the goats. Strangely, neither the blessed nor the cursed were aware that Jesus was in their midst. Neither saw Christ present in their neighbors. Both groups are surprised when Jesus reveals to them that they did or didn’t feed, welcome, or clothe Him.

What sets them apart from each other is how they acted when they didn’t think God was present. The righteous didn’t wait to perform good deeds when Jesus was visible to them. They were good for the sake of goodness and because they acted out of love for their neighbor.

What stands out to me in this reading is that the righteous didn’t have insider knowledge that got them admission into heaven. They had love. They acted out of a desire to help, not from a sense of obligation to check a box that will get them admission into God’s Kingdom.

Sometimes we forget how much control we have over our final destination. Not only is it in our hands, it’s in our hearts. God sees our hearts. It’s our job, with His help, to make our hearts more like His.

Ponder:

How can I make my heart more like Christ’s today? How can I see Christ in the people I encounter and have the courage to serve them with love?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, You are always with me. You see my heart and the works of my hands. Help me to make my heart more full of love for You and for my neighbor.

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What stands out to me in this reading is that the righteous didn’t have insider knowledge that got them admission into heaven. They had love. #DailyGospel

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