Daily Gospel Reflection for May 23, 2023

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

Today's Gospel: John 17:1-11a

One of the free features of the Apple AirPods is case engraving. Most people get their name or phone number engraved on the case, however, I have “4 His Glory” on mine. That phrase was a result of my journaling and reflection time on Easter Sunday, 2020. This phrase lives vibrantly in my heart and is one of the “gifts of the pandemic” for me. Because of my general fondness for the word “glory,” Jesus’s request asking God to “Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you” struck me immediately. What a profound, yet simple prayer for us to use too. “Lord, help me glorify you in my life by helping me grow in [insert virtue here].”

We can ask for help with all the ways that our humanness doesn’t want what God wants. Here are some practical prayer ideas.

If you struggle with staying up too late binging on TV, junk food, or worry, our prayer can be “Lord, help me grow in temperance, prudence, and trust, so that I may glorify You.”

If you find yourself chronically people-pleasing, which results in exhaustion, a short fuse with your family, and medicating with over-caffeination, your prayer can be “Lord, help me grow in wisdom to decide how to spend my time and energy so that I may glorify You.”

And, if a litany of self-criticism swirls through your thoughts, your prayer can be “Lord, give me Your eyes to see myself the way You do and use Your words so that I may glorify You.”

Our lives can be a reflection of God’s glory in this way as we pursue overcoming our human weaknesses with these simple prayers.

Ponder:

In what virtue can I grow to overcome a specific weakness to glorify God more fully in my life today?

Pray:

Lord, thank You for Your mercy, especially when I intentionally choose my will over Yours. Reveal to me the virtue You want to help me grow in today so that I may more fully glorify You with my life.