Daily Gospel Reflection for April 11, 2024

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

Today's Gospel: John 3:31-36

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Stanislaus, patron of Poland. He, along with Saints Thomas More and Thomas Becket are remembered for their vehement opposition to the evils of an unjust government. He was born in 1030 and later became the bishop of Krakow, speaking out about the injustice of peasantry and the wrongful wars and immoral acts of King Boleslaus II. The king then made a faint attempt at conversion, but the change did not last long.

Despite Boleslaus’ superficial repentance for his evils, Stanislaus continued to openly confront him, leading to charges of treason and threats of death. Because of the king’s stubborn unrepentance, Stanislaus excommunicated him. In a fit of rage, King Boleslaus II ordered his soldiers to kill the bishop. When the soldiers refused his command, the outraged king killed the bishop with his own hands. Horrified at his own actions, Boleslaus fled to Hungary and spent the rest of his life as a penitent in the Benedictine abbey of Osiak.

John describes this type of heroic discipleship in today’s Gospel. He writes that there are two kinds of people. Those who come from above, or from a higher place of grace, are above all. But those who are of the earth, cling to base and worldly things and speak only of earthly things and do not know God. Our Lord is not only above all, but He is the one who comes from heaven, giving Him a supreme position. God chooses individuals who are above earthly things and who are enlightened by His grace to give witness to God and speak His word to all. St. Stanislaus’ example inspires us to be above all, to remain in a higher place of grace, shun base and earthly things, and courageously speak God’s word to all.

Ponder:

Am I the type of person who clings to base and earthly things, or am I the type of person who comes from a higher place of grace?

Pray:

Lord, please help me to be like St. Stanislaus. Help me to turn from earthly things and always strive for a higher place of grace.

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St. Stanislaus’ example inspires us to be above all, to remain in a higher place of grace, shun base and earthly things, and courageously speak God’s word to all. #DailyGospel

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