Daily Gospel Reflection for July 9, 2022

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

Reflection by Fr. Edward Looney

Today's Gospel: Matthew 10:24-33

The rules of discernment offered by St. Ignatius of Loyola encourage us to bring everything to light. He spoke of this especially in terms of spiritual direction. An individual should bring everything to the director and put it before the Lord for mutual discernment. The same can be said for the sacrament of Penance. We might be embarrassed about a sin or something we have done. Instead of naming it, we try to hide it, disguising it, or even omitting it from our confession. When we bring light into darkness, when we submit it to the Lord in our prayer and to others, it is only then that we can receive support from others and God’s divine assistance.

Jesus says as much in our Gospel today,

“Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.”

At the end of our life, all will be known when we stand before the Lord as our judge. We will no longer be able to hide anything. And in fact, we cannot hide anything from the Lord right now. God knows everything about us. As the psalmist says, he knows when we sit or when we stand. And as Jesus reminds us today, “even all the hairs of your head are counted.” God knows the depts of our hearts and all that we have said and done. And he wants to heal us and make us whole again.

Jesus also says today, “do not be afraid.” We have nothing to fear because God is with us and wants to forgive us. All we must do is bring it to the light.

Ponder:

Is there anything I have not yet subjected to God's love and mercy because I am afraid to do so?

Pray:

Lord, You know my heart. Reveal to me anything that I have hidden, so that I may bring it to You and receive Your grace, mercy, and peace.

Click to tweet:
Hiding something from the Lord or others is not healthy. Instead, bring it to the light and allow the Lord to transform your heart. #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 Fr. Edward Looney

Fr. Edward Looney is a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, a Marian theologian, author of A Heart Like Mary's and Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, a radio personality and host of the podcast How They Love Mary.