Daily Gospel Reflection for July 18, 2023

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

I recently heard that homilies and sermons are far more often geared toward positive messages than the hard truths of the faith. I suppose it makes sense. No one likes to be reprimanded. And those harsher words of Christ can certainly make us uncomfortable. Maybe because they sometimes hit a little too close to home.

Those doses of reality may not be as inspiring as the kinder, gentler passages, but they are just as important, maybe more so. Those beautiful messages of love are soothing and make us feel good. But sometimes, we need to face facts and listen to those tough truths—whether we want to or not.

While we may not always want to hear Jesus’s anger, just as a father scolds his children, He is trying to guide us to correct our behavior because He loves us. Just as children may need reprimands to grow into responsible adults, we need that firm guidance by our heavenly Father to understand the consequences of our sins and not embracing His teachings. He does this in love so we can repent of our sins and live with Him in eternity.

A few years ago, I saw a meme that really stuck with me: The Church is here to change the world, not to be changed by the world. It can be easy to pick and choose our Bible verses to fit what we want to hear, but we need to listen to all Jesus’s teachings since they are as relevant today as they were back when He walked this earth.

Ponder:

Do we tend to go along with what society tells us is right, or do we believe in Christ and His teachings? When the world drifts further and further from the truth, do we follow along, or do we take a stand?

Pray:

Dear Lord, I long to live with You in eternity. Help me to grow in my faith by listening to all that You have to tell me.

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Just as children may need reprimands to grow into responsible adults, we need that firm guidance by our heavenly Father to understand the consequences of our sins and not embracing His teachings. #DailyGospel

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