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

Today's Gospel: Luke 9:51-56

When we pray with today’s Gospel passage from St. Luke, it feels important to remember that Jesus fully understood what lay ahead of Him as he set out for Jerusalem. Fully man yet also fully God, He was surrounded by followers who had committed their lives to Him, yet also did not completely understand what was happening. When the messengers He sent ahead of his traveling party were rejected in a Samaritan village, two of Jesus’ most stalwart followers were righteously angry. James and John asked permission to seek revenge. “Lord,” they offered, “do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”

But rather than earning Jesus’ approval, the two were rebuked for their suggestion and the journey continued forward by another route. We don’t have record of the rebuke in this account, but I can imagine that with mercy and love but also with conviction Christ offered his disciples that course correction.

It’s often easy for those of us who see ourselves as Catholics and followers of Christ to pass judgment on those around us. The Gospels are full of teachings about extending mercy even as we acknowledge our own shortcomings. The next time I look around myself with self-righteousness and judge others, I will remember James and John and the important lessons they learned along the path to Jerusalem. I’ll also try to remember today to be grateful for those moments when I have knowingly or even without intention not welcomed Jesus into my heart and rather chosen to close the door to the love I know He has for me. Thank goodness for God’s mercy, which keeps me from having a fire from heaven sent down to consume me!

 

Ponder:

 

How am I like James and John, who see the faults of others and want to punish them? How has God rendered mercy in my life recently?

 

Pray:


Jesus, thank You for Your constant love, mercy, and compassion. Please help me to share those same gifts with my family and friends today.

 

Click to tweet:
The next time I look around myself with self-righteousness and judge others, I will remember James and John and the important lessons they learned along the path to Jerusalem. #dailygospel

Daily Gospel 2

 

Copyright 2022 Lisa M. Hendey

About the Author

Lisa M. Hendey

Lisa M. Hendey

Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at LisaHendey.com or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. Visit Lisa's author page on Amazon.com.