--- title: Daily Gospel Reflection for August 26, 2023 description: Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Daily%20Gospel%202.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/dgr-08262023#) [DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTIONS](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/tag/daily-gospel-reflections) # Daily Gospel Reflection for August 26, 2023 Aug 26, 2023 12:30:00 AM  |  by [Mary Lou Rosien](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/author/mary-lou-rosien) Receive Daily Gospel Reflections in your inbox ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Daily%20Gospel%202.png) *Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.* --- ***Today's Gospel: [Matthew 23:1-12](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082623.cfm)*** This passage is often used by non-Catholic Christians to criticize our practice of calling our priests "father." That is a misunderstanding and an out-of-context view of what Jesus is trying to tell us. (Those who condemn using "father" usually do call their earthly dads "father.") It is a distraction from the real focus of Christ's teaching on humility. Jesus wants us to be humble and I struggle with that on a daily basis! Who doesn’t want to be recognized for the good they do? I desire recognition. I do not like it when someone is chosen over me or acknowledged for something I had a part in. It is in our human nature, but Jesus wants us to overcome that tendency. I find praying the Litany of Humility is helpful in retraining myself to conquer this bent in my own nature. Frequent confession keeps me in check and gives me the actual and sanctifying grace I need. The other way I find helpful to practice humility is through random, anonymous acts of kindness. As in all things, God gives us a huge challenge but provides the grace and knowledge necessary to win this challenge through the prayers, teachings, and sacraments of the Catholic Church.   #### Ponder:   How can we overcome the need for recognition?   #### Pray: Open my eyes, Lord, to those in need around me. Help me to fill the corporal and spiritual needs that I can, but to do it in quiet anonymity when possible.   --- > [Click to tweet:](https://ctt.ac/qfUu0) > [I desire recognition. I do not like it when someone is chosen over me or acknowledged for something I had a part in. #DailyGospel](https://ctt.ac/qfUu0) ![Daily Gospel 2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Daily%20Gospel%202.png?width=2135&name=Daily%20Gospel%202.png)   --- Copyright 2023 Mary Lou Rosien ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-08262023%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-08262023%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-08262023%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Daily%20Gospel%20Reflection%20for%20August%2026%2C%202023) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-08262023%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-08262023%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Mary Lou Rosien](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contributors/MARY%20LOU%20ROSIEN.png) ### [Mary Lou Rosien](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/author/mary-lou-rosien) Mary Lou Rosien is a Catholic wife, mom to seven, educator, writer, and speaker. She is the author of several books including *[Three Things Divorced Catholics need to Know](https://osv.com/Shop/Product?ProductCode=T1860)* and *The Joy-Filled Broken Heart*. She is known for her love of all things cooking and baking, especially “Friday cookies.” Visit her at [CatholicFamilyBootCamp.com](http://www.catholicfamilybootcamp.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Daily Gospel Reflection for October 27, 2023 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/dgr-10272023) [ Daily Gospel Reflection for May 28, 2024 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/dgr-05282024) [ Daily Gospel Reflection for January 31, 2022 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/dgr-01312022) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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