Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Luke 16:19-31
Today’s reading is one of those jarring passages that hopefully makes us stop and think. The verses remind us that our time here on earth is meant to prepare us for our eternal life. But how do we know if we’re doing enough to make it to heaven? Well, Jesus gives us the model to follow right there in the parable when Abraham answers Lazarus’ plea to save his family’s eternal souls.
‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.’
We are blessed with even more examples given to us through the Bible, our priests, and the saints on how we should be focusing our time here on earth. Of course, it is completely up to us to listen, obey, and follow those examples.
There is no way to know what our future holds or how much time we have to make the right decisions. One thing is for sure: we don’t want to be caught unprepared like the rich man. This means we need to make sure that we are living our lives with our heavenly future in mind. Are we truly following Jesus’ words by caring for others, sharing the Catholic faith, and deepening our relationship with Jesus? Or are we like the rich man, enjoying his wealth on earth but neglecting those in need?
One of the most daunting aspects of being a parent is realizing that it is our responsibility to make sure our children understand this truth as well. This passage reveals to me how important it is to build a strong foundation for our children by attending church and religious education, reading the Bible with them and discussing the daily readings, living by example by caring for others, and sharing our faith, so they have a strong foundation on which to live their lives.
Ponder:
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of our daily lives. Take a moment to reflect: Is your life an instrument to grow God’s kingdom, or do you find yourself becoming like Lazarus and missing opportunities to serve others?
Pray:
Dear Lord, help me to keep Your words in my heart and to pursue Your will and not my own. Be with me as I share my faith with my children to help them build a strong foundation and bless each member of my family as we each develop a faith that will be the guiding path for our lives.
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Are we truly following Jesus’ words by caring for others, sharing the Catholic faith, and deepening our relationship with Jesus? #DailyGospel
Copyright 2023 Leslea Wahl
About the Author
Leslea Wahl
Leslea Wahl is an award-winning author of Catholic teen adventurous mysteries. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her family. Leslea believes one way to encourage teens in their faith is through positive messages and Catholic values, embedded in great stories. She is excited to share her reviews of some incredible Catholic books, all of which have received the Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval. Find her online at LesleaWahl.com.
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