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

Today's Gospel: Luke 10:13-16

Today’s Gospel reading may seem a bit abrupt. It begins, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” This sounds like brimstone. What is actually going on here?

Context is important for today's Gospel reading. In this chapter, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples in pairs to the towns that He will visit. He instructs the seventy-two to “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals, and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you. (Luke 10:5-6).

Even as Jesus is sending out disciples, He is aware that not everyone will accept His message. In today’s Gospel, Jesus indicates that there were many miracles performed in Chorazin and Bethsaida, but that the people still did not repent of their sins. Even though these communities personally encountered Jesus, they remained unconverted. How disheartening.

In our own lives, sometimes we expect that if we live our lives as examples of discipleship, or instruct others in the faith, we should be able to affect another person’s conversion. We especially hope that this will be true in our motherhood. From the core of our being, we desire to raise children who love God and our Catholic faith as much as we do. When our children, especially our adult children, reject the faith, we are tempted to feel like we failed.

In these moments, we must offer our children to God’s care. We must also remind ourselves what God asks of us. God asks for us to be faithful in the effort of sharing the Gospel. This is our task. Conversion in the heart of another person is the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

Ponder:

 

Entrust conversion in your family to the Holy Spirit.

 

Pray:


Lord, help us to remain diligent in our efforts to share the Gospel. We ask for Your consolation in this work.

 

Daily Gospel 2

 

Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Tomlin

About the Author

Elizabeth Tomlin

Elizabeth Tomlin

Elizabeth is the author of Joyful Momentum: Building and Sustaining Vibrant Women’s Groups (Ave Maria Press), General Counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and director of stewardship for the Military Council of Catholic Women, where she previously served as the president and as director of faith formation. Elizabeth is a catechist and speaker, and blogs at JoyfulMomentum.org.