Daily Gospel Reflection for July 25, 2025

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

Today's Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

Gospel values are often the inverse of societal values. While we are not of the world, we are most certainly in it, and today's Gospel highlights one of the many ways in which these circumstances put us at odds with the way the world often thinks.

In a world that values, promotes, and pays obeisance to those with financial, political, or cultural power - the elites - Jesus's words today are confounding.

"Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave." Matthew 20:26-27

The tenets of Christianity turn the world on its proverbial head, and this Gospel reading it a good reminder for us. What looks like success in this world may have no bearing on life in the next. Our defeats are not necessarily spiritual failures. And when admiring others, we should be mindful that it is poverty, financial, spiritual, or otherwise, that will gain us the Kingdom of Heaven and not riches. Likewise humble service rather than powerful might is the Christian's call.

Ponder:

Am I mindful of Jesus's call to serve others, or do I possess a false sense of entitlement, expecting to be served instead?

Pray:

Lord, help me to be mindful of Your words, seeking ways to serve rather than ways to "get ahead."

Copyright 2025 Carolyn Astfalk