Daily Gospel Reflection for June 28, 2024

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

Today's Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4

“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

I sit before the golden monstrance, the small silent Host inside. The God who created the universe– who created me– in humble stillness before me.

My heart spills over, all its needs and desires laid out before Him. If only He wants to, I know He can grant them. My children, my marriage, difficult decisions. Friends, relatives, community. So many needs.

If You wish. I know He can do all things. But will He?

The leper reached out with this same question. Full of faith that Jesus could heal Him, yet doubting if Jesus wanted to. Do we do the same thing in our prayer?

Perhaps we focus too much on the outcome. We try too hard to figure it out for God. Too often I tell Him my needs and I beg Him to fix them in the way I want, in the timing I desire. And then I wonder if He loves me enough to do it.

But I’m missing the point. The part when Jesus reaches out and touches the leper with Hands that hold the world. The reassurance He whispers as He looks him in the eyes, confirming that he is seen and loved. His gaze, His touch– they are what heal the deepest parts of our hearts.

Sometimes the answers to our prayers might not be in the way we envision or in the timing we desire, but His hand is on us and His heart is with us. Today let’s bring our needs to Jesus, giving Him homage as the leper did, and then let go of the outcomes. Instead of focusing on how and when He will fix and heal, let’s look into the eyes of our Lord and see His reassuring love and that, yes, He wants to and He will.

Ponder:

Do I doubt God’s love when my prayers aren’t answered in my way or according to my timing?

Pray:

Jesus, help me look into Your loving gaze today and trust Your good plan.

Copyright 2024 Laura Range