Daily Gospel Reflection for June 11, 2025

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

Reflection by Gabriella Ribeiro

Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

In today’s Gospel, Jesus commands His disciples to follow the Mosaic law “until heaven and earth pass away.” (Matthew 5:18) What sounds like a binding of the law until the end of the world is actually Jesus referring to the turning of ages with His Death and Resurrection. As Isaiah prophesied, this is the new and final age, the “new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22) Hence, Jesus Himself, through His Passion and victory over death, is fulfilling the Mosaic Law not by abolishing it, but rather by creating a New Covenant between God and man. In this passage, Christ teaches His disciples to have obedience to the law that they may know He is not in opposition to it, that He is not a radical coming to incite a Jewish rebellion.

This is an interesting point to reflect on; the way in which Jesus teaches obedience to authority, tradition, and the Mosaic Law flows so seamlessly into the structure of what would become the Catholic Church. Christ established Simon Peter as the “rock,” the first pope, who would lay the foundation for the unbroken apostolic succession of papacies to come. Unfortunately, Christians today are divided in their pursuit of truth, as many have been deceived into believing that relationship with Christ and salvation through Him can exist fully outside the authority of the one true Catholic and apostolic Church. Today’s Gospel passage is a testament to the fact that Christ calls us to a life of obedience to Him and to the Father by keeping the laws the Lord has given. In our fallen nature, we see obedience as restrictive, but obedience to the Lord who made us and His Church, which He established for us, is the only way we can truly be free.

Ponder:

Have you ever struggled to accept a particular Church teaching or maybe the authority of the Church overall?

Pray:

Jesus, thank You for the New Covenant you have established for us by your stripes, and for your bride, the Church, which offers us the freedom of living in the fullness of Your truth. Give us the grace to remain steadfast and obedient to Your commands, and when we are tempted to stray, Lord, place in our lives people who may advise and guide us to a deeper understanding of Your love. 

Copyright 2025 Gabriella Ribeiro

Gabriella is a member of the Mission Advancement team at Holy Cross Family Ministries, where she manages donor marketing and communications. She also serves as Youth Minister at Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Winthrop, MA, where you just might find her singing worship music at Adoration. Her downtime is filled with art making, car jam sessions, and fellowship within Boston’s vibrant Catholic young adult communities. 100% Catholic, 0% Mom, Gabriella is excited to join this lovely team of ladies in sharing the Gospel with you all!