Daily Gospel Reflection for September 9, 2023

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 6:1-5

On a Sunday not too long ago, I heard my husband talking on the telephone to a man named Rodney. Now Rodney was a veteran residing in a veteran’s home. He was lonely and had a serious heart condition. The phone calls brightened his day. I asked my husband what prompted him to call Rodney.

“It’s in the Catechism.”

In the section on the third commandment to keep holy the Lord’s Day, the Catechism (#2185) encourages the faithful to perform works of mercy.

Charity is the essence of today’s Gospel reading. Jesus and His disciples are walking through a grain field. Our Lord knows that they are hungry, and He plucks grain and eats it. I am sure His friends were grateful for the food. He has relieved the hunger of His disciples. As usual, the Pharisees see this act of mercy as a violation of the Sabbath. In the next Gospel passage, Jesus cures the man with a withered hand. Once again, it occurs on the Sabbath. How do the Pharisees react? They are enraged.

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and all-merciful. Follow His example. We can make each Sunday holy by even a small act of mercy. Visit or call a lonely neighbor or family member. Get out crayons and construction paper. Ask your children to draw colorful pictures for a grandparent. Drop an extra coin in the poor box at church.

Do these gestures sound miniscule? Not so. Every kind act builds the Kingdom, inch by inch.

Ponder:

Do you carve out time on Sunday for rest and small acts of charity?

Pray:

Dear Lord, You have taught us that Sunday is a day to show our love for You and also to show kindness to our neighbors. Help me to extend the graces of Holy Mass in the spirit of charity.