Daily Gospel Reflection for July 23, 2024

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

Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? As that question rolls over in my mind, it is asking me to personally pause and contemplate.

As a member of an ecumenical Christian community for almost three decades, we embraced that scripture. We lived out our walk with God together, as a family. We joined our life with siblings in Christ who had our backs as we had theirs. Our children went to the community’s own school. We lived in a neighborhood near other members of this community. Our focus was to live for God alone, as was theirs. Oh, how pleasant and beautiful it is when brothers and sisters dwell in unity.

When my husband, Pat, accepted the opportunity to become a Catholic deacon, we left this community in their jubilee year. I thought I was going to die but, of course, I did not. Those thirty years of forming family roots continued to grow in our hearts. As we moved from church to church, Pat and I brought with us the formation given to us during our years in the community.

Each time we moved, we sought adults with whom we could build our Christian life. The community gave us the building blocks to share with others. To this day, we often get together with couples whom we fellowshipped with when we were in the community. Why? Because we are family! When Christ is the center of your life, your family is not only your blood relatives, but the whole family of God!

Sometimes your blood family members who are not following Jesus may mock you and your faith. It is at times like this that you need the Body of Christ to be there for you.

Ponder:

Do you have sisters and brothers in Christ that you think of as family?

Pray:

Dear Jesus, I am so glad that I am a part of the family of God! Thank you for always providing sisters and brothers in Christ to walk heavenward with me.

Daily Gospel 2