Daily Gospel Reflection for September 13, 2024

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 6:39-42

Every day when I drive my son to daycare, I see the same young woman on the same street corner waiting for her school bus. She wears a hospital mask every day, rain or shine, warm or cold. Since she is there alone, I found myself jumping - hastily - to conclusions about who she is. Doesn’t she know she’s outside? How afraid of illness must she be?

This went on for a number of weeks until one morning, I decided to look on the other side of the street. I thought, if I don’t see her, I won’t be tempted to judge her. That worked for a few days, until I felt my heart moved in prayer to consider this young woman and what her situation might be.

Perhaps she or someone she loves is immunocompromised, and she doesn’t want to risk any kind of sickness.

Perhaps she struggles with social anxiety and covering her face allows her to function successfully in the school environment.

After taking my lack of compassion to prayer and confession, I found myself offering prayer instead of judgment when I drive by her in the morning. Try as we might to look upon others with Christlike love, there are moments when finding fault with others is easier than finding fault with ourselves. In order to be a disciple of the Lord, however, we must be honest with ourselves and acknowledge the areas of our heart that need redemption. May we have the grace to acknowledge our faults, honestly, and ask the Lord for the grace only He can provide.

Ponder:

Do you find it easy to judge other people or situations? In prayer, ask the Lord for the grace to shift your focus and look on others with compassion.