Daily Gospel Reflection for June 26, 2022

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

The young man stood on the grounds of Maryknoll headquarters and stared at a large bell. Earlier in the day he had been ordained as a Maryknoll priest, an order devoted to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in every corner of the world. Other newly ordained priests stood in a row. At each clang of the bell, a country was named. The young man took a deep breath, the bell rang, and he heard his assignment: Taiwan, a country halfway around the world, far from his native Boston.

The young priest’s name was Father Richard Devoe, who was my cousin and a man who exemplified today’s Gospel reading.

“Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Father Richard took Christ’s command in a literal sense. He once made a joyful statement about his vocation.

“What else could I be? Lots of people had not heard of Jesus, who meant so much to me.”

For fifty years, Father Richard served the natives of Taiwan as their beloved pastor, driving treacherous mountainous roads up Bamboo Mountain, repairing his own Scout International Jeeps, hunting with the men, teaching women modern weaving techniques, and establishing credit unions. His crowning achievement was to translate the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and the Book of Revelation into the aboriginal dialect.

Jesus said,

“No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks back to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Father Richard did not put his hand to the plow, but he did grip the steering wheel of his Scout International Jeep, drove rugged roads on Bamboo Mountain, and never looked back.

Ponder:

Do I follow Jesus with unflinching trust in His guidance?

Pray:

Dear Lord, help me to trust in You. I fervently pray that You dispel all my fears and know Your deep love for me every moment of the day.

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What else could I be? Lots of people had not heard of Jesus who meant so much to me. #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 Kathryn Swegart