Daily Gospel Reflection for March 15, 2022

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

For they preach, but they do not practice.

Young eyes are upon us . . . watching our every move. Young ears are open . . . listening to our every word.

The sign read, “Ten and under free.” Standing in line to buy a ticket, the man ahead of us turned and said, “Don’t worry. They never check the ages of the kids. You can get them in for free.” We stepped up to pay, and my husband said loudly, “Two adults. One eleven-year-old and one eight-year-old.” They heard every word and watched him pay every dollar.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus chastises the scribes and Pharisees as they lay heavy burdens on the people while taking the places of honor. He tells us to observe the law,

“But do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.”

Preaching the Word of God is a sacred privilege, an honor, and a responsibility. At Vatican II, the Church empowered parents: “In the domestic church [the church of the home] parents should, by their word and example, be the first preachers of the faith to their children …” (Lumen gentium, no.11).

For good or bad, we are first preachers as our children hear our every word from the womb and see our every action from the moment their little eyes squeeze open. More than any priest or Church preacher, parents have the single greatest influence on their children’s faith. But we must practice what we preach.

If our words or actions are harsh or hypocritical and do not align with the Gospel, our children will not follow. If we preach but do not practice, they may never know the beauty of knowing Jesus Christ--His unconditional love, forgiveness, healing, and grace.

Their little eyes and ears are upon us. Be careful to preach and practice.

Ponder:

Do your actions reflect the Gospel?

Pray:

Lord, help our words and actions lead our children to You. Help us to preach and practice our faith.

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More than any Church preacher, parents have the single greatest influence on their children’s faith. But we must practice what we preach. #dailygospel

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