Daily Gospel Reflection for July 9, 2025

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

“Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.”

Do you have a priest in your life you confidently turn to when you are feeling spiritually discouraged or burdened by physical ailments? In this Gospel passage, Jesus clearly gives the twelve the authority over matters of the spirit and body.

When I was a child, I viewed this like a child would. Those who prayed hard enough would be healed. Certainly, that happens – witness the miracles that are unexplained with priestly intervention.

But look around you. Your parish priest has the same authority. Even if they are not able to heal us in the way we desire, they are given the power to help us heal as God desires for us.

Suffering is indeed a part of life. How we handle it – whether mental, physical, or emotional, is up to us. This does not preclude us from seeking good medical or psychological care, but rather we must have confidence that God will walk with us in our struggles – as will the holy men and women whom He places in our life who consecrate themselves to Him.

This was never more apparent to me than when a new sister in Christ spontaneously offered to me - when I was complaining about a jury I was chosen to sit on - “Jesus wanted you there.” This immediately put this burden in perspective. I accepted it and challenged myself to handle it as Jesus would – with patience, kindness and leaving judgment at the door.

Ponder:

What do you desire to be delivered from?

Pray:

Jesus, reveal to me that which I must be made free from in order to draw closer to You. Help me to identify someone who can help me abandon myself more fully to Your will in my life.

CM DGR daily sq