Daily Gospel Reflection for August 20, 2022

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

Have you ever had an experience in which you felt you are rocking the day, life is going right, children are doing what they need to do, and you are on top of the world? Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, you trip and fall down, scraping your knee . . . your picture-perfect baby decides to have a massive diaper-blow-out all over their clothes . . . you forgot an appointment and roll into work in the middle of colleagues halfway through a meeting? In those experiences, it’s so easy to worry, get anxious, and even get upset--at yourself, or at others.

However, today’s Gospel reminds us that nobody is perfect. Even those that we see, whether we are part of their immediate circle or those we follow on social media, are human. We are all prone to err in the same manner as the scribes and Pharisees. Our humanity, on display in today’s Gospel, is the perfect reason why we should not make idols of others.

Rather, God is love and perfection. Through His love, we have not been left unaided to figure out the path to heaven. God has left us His holy men to guide us, but we are cautioned,

“Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.”

What about those times in which we are inconvenienced, or we find ourselves in situations where we are uncomfortable, or even when we disagree with our priests? Consider the last words of today’s Gospel:

“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Look to those moments, and recognize the opportunity to be humble and to prayerfully act with humility.

Humility is not easy. Yet, it is a recipe for Christian success.

Ponder:

Which ways can you take those moments in which you feel humiliation and turn them into moments of grace and thanksgiving to God?

Pray:

Most gracious and loving Father, thank You for the reminder that I don't have to be perfect and do all things without Your help. Grant me the grace to recognize moments in which I can rely on You to guide me to do Your will.