Daily Gospel Reflection for July 10, 2024

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

We know well the names of the twelve Apostles, all of them “called by name,” by Jesus. I often get snagged on the name of Judas. Jesus knows us all so well, and He surely read the heart of Judas, who thought of a worldly kingdom while losing faith in Jesus’ plan. Why did Jesus bring Judas onboard?

Contemplating more deeply, I think of my own mixed-up and sinful past, raised in a broken family, according to cultural norms, similar to Judas in my worldly views. I recalled how God sent a funny, talented, Catholic man into my life, whom I fell for. Shortly after we were married, I felt called to become a member of the Catholic Church. It was a profound, pivotal point in my life. I dove into this new life with gusto, going on retreats and signing up for the Lay Pastoral Ministry program. My heart was purified and renewed through God’s mercy, and my faith became my most important possession.

These recollections make it obvious why Jesus called Judas as an Apostle. Christ loved Judas, no matter how mixed-up he was. God loves us all and wants us to have the best possible life. He will shower us in His loving and powerful mercy and fill our hearts with lasting joy, if we allow it. Will life be easier? Not while we walk in this "valley of tears.” But it will be a beautiful life--rich, fulfilling, and eternally satisfying, if only we trust in God’s mercy. And that was where Judas went wrong. He realized he had lost his way, but his heart kept him from trusting in God’s unfathomable mercy.

St. Therese of Lisieux once said that her greatest accomplishment was trusting in God’s mercy. Let’s choose her path.

Ponder:

Do I truly believe that God is rich in mercy and loves me more than I can ever comprehend (no matter how far I've strayed)?

Pray:

Jesus Christ, king of mercy, I give my life, my successes, my failures, and everything in between to You. Perfect and purify it all and make me worthy of being a saint.

Daily Gospel 2