Daily Gospel Reflection for September 27, 2023

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Several years ago, a close friend of mine learned that her 2-year-old son had cancer. In fact, she was the one who found the tumor in his abdomen as she held him one day. They journeyed through rounds of chemo and weeks of rotating between the hospital and home.

She discovered something about halfway through their journey—the power of laying her hands on her son while she prayed for his healing. Her son is healthy now, and there is no doubt that his mother inspired many to an increased faithfulness because of her witness on their cancer journey.

We live out our profession of faith in Jesus—the one whose name means “God saves”—when we step out in courage like my friend and the Twelve to lay hands on and pray for others, whether they be near or far.

In addition to the ways we already pray, we can also consider: laying hands on or making a cross on the forehead of our child, spouse, or friend; asking our guardian angel to speak with the guardian angels of those we love who are far away, that their angels would protect and guide them; saying the St. Michael prayer for those we love who are in particular need of protection; saying a short prayer (for our marriage, a child, or what we most need to bring to Jesus) right as we receive the Eucharist into our bodies.

In our faithfulness to Jesus’ call and commission, we can live out the hope of the Kingdom of God in our everyday lives.

Ponder:

What are some ways I have seen God respond to my prayers?

Pray:

Jesus, give us the grace to pray like You—full of surrender and love for the Father. God, we ask that You would use our lives of prayer to draw us closer to You and make us bear greater resemblance to You.