Daily Gospel Reflection for August 23, 2025

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

Today's Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Can you remember the last time you wanted something so badly that you would do just about anything to get it? There are so many things that we want, and if we aren’t careful, our desire for them can become insatiable, or could even turn into an obsession. 

But what if that obsession was for something godly? What if it was an ardent zeal for evangelization or charity or a deeper relationship with God? That is what St. Rose of Lima’s holy obsession was, to grow in a loving relationship with God through a life of solitude, suffering, and penance. Her parents wouldn’t allow her to enter the convent so she became a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic and cared for the sick, elderly, and homeless in her home until she died at the age of 31. 

Her actions portray the exact opposite of what Jesus was chiding the scribes and Pharisees for in today’s Gospel. He tells the crowds “do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example,” but St. Rose’s example is a positive model to follow.

“For they preach but they do not practice,” but St. Rose practiced without preaching by living a quiet life of humble service.

“They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them,” but St. Rose sought to carry others’ burdens on her own shoulders.

“All their works are performed to be seen,” but St. Rose performed all her works in the solitude of her home. 

May we want to get closer to Jesus so badly that we would be willing to do just about anything to achieve it. May we give a good example to others in both word and deed, just like St. Rose did. 

Ponder:

Are my words and actions closer to those of the scribes and Pharisees or those of St. Rose? 

Pray:

Lord Jesus, sometimes being coherent in what I believe and what I do is so hard. Please grant me the grace to think before I act in order to act more like You. 

Copyright 2025 Tami Urcia