Daily Gospel Reflection for August 14, 2025

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

Today's Gospel: Matthew 18:21-19:1

As I have grown in my journey through life (I suppose we could also refer to this as getting wiser and more mature), I have become more aware of the quality of empathy in myself and others. This ability to relate to what others may be experiencing, to feel compassion for them and their situation or plight, and to want to help them to navigate their way through challenges, is of utmost importance in healthy relationships and dynamics with others, even strangers. I see this struggle so vividly today in our Gospel story of the unforgiving servant. The debtor wanted the king to feel empathy for him and his family and forgive their debt, and the king did so. But when this same debtor was faced with a similar situation, he refused to show his fellow man empathy and had him imprisoned until he could pay his debt. 

I think most adults have likely experienced, as I have, disappointing situations in which a fellow human being failed to show us empathy and care, choosing instead to demonstrate a lack of charity. This is not what God wants for any of us. He wants us to only extend and receive kindness and love. 

Our duty is to do our part. We cannot control the actions of others, but we can pray for them and show them loving compassion. I like to think of this as Being The Light. We want to Be The Light in someone’s day, not bring them down with darkness and spite. Whenever situations like these arise in my day, or I see them arising in someone else’s day, I wing up a quick prayer, asking the Lord how I can Be The Light for that person in this moment. 

Ponder:

How can I better show love and compassion to my fellow human beings and not hurt anyone with my thoughts, words, or actions?

Pray:

Lord, hurt and anger abound in our world. Please help me to Be The Light for someone today.

Copyright 2025 Tiffany Walsh