Daily Gospel Reflection for May 19, 2023

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

Today's Gospel: John 16:20-23

Life is bittersweet at best. In a mix of heartfelt hope and physical risk, babies are born. Mothers watch their little ones grow, celebrating life’s happy milestones, and as she smiles, her heart breaks a bit. Throughout life, this blend of sorrow and joy remains in constant tension. It's tough for us as women, but imagine our Blessed Mother. In fear, she bravely met the angel Gabriel; with a stab to the heart she accepted Simeon's prophecy; after seeking desperately, she held her Son, knowing she must let Him go.

In Mary, we witness the perfect blend of joy and sorrow. She knelt at the cradle and at the cross, enduring the pain and endearing the prize. Did our Lady ever smile without tears? How can a heart do that?

This is hard enough for we who are looking toward heaven, but imagine how incomprehensible it is for those who are living just for the temporal world. They laugh at us for being pro-life, for pouring ourselves into our family, our apostolates, our vocations. We are ridiculed for striving to be pure, to live simply, to serve others. The more we care, the more we open ourselves to greater suffering. How do we handle it?

We cling to Christ’s promises. Christ knows the human condition, because He lived it. He didn’t say that life on earth would be easy, but the opposite. In this world we have trials and troubles. Friends turn away and turn us in. We’re striving, doing the hard thing, the right thing, while the world watches, laughing. Expect ridicule He says, but also expect answered prayer. When your heart starts to crumble, fall to your knees, embracing the cross. Christ promises eternal joy and, laugh as it may, the world cannot take it away.

Ponder:

How do you handle the hecklers, the people who ridicule you for striving to live a holy life?

Pray:

Dear Lord, help me to bear my suffering with joy. Please hear my prayer and answer it according to Your best plan for me.

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She knelt at the cradle and at the cross, enduring the pain and endearing the prize. Did our Lady ever smile without tears? How can a heart do that?  #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Laurie J. Schmitt