Daily Gospel Reflection for October 14, 2024

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

Reflection by Virginia Pillars

Today's Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

"What’s the matter with kids today?” This stanza from the song in the musical, Bye Bye Birdie illustrates the attitude of an older generation towards a younger generation. The song always makes me smile. Which of us hasn’t looked around at our community, town, country, or the world and thought similar words? Today's younger generations face decisions and topics I never even heard of in my teenage years, and I become easily discouraged if I dwell on news stories or social media posts.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of an evil generation. “This is an evil generation; it seeks a sign . . .” Yet Jesus entered our world among the evil generation.

Scriptures apply to every generation, even though they were written over 2,000 years ago. When Jonah went to the Nineties, he preached repentance and turning from their evil ways. Romans 3:23-24 tells us all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God; they are justified freely by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.

And so, we live with hope, despite our evil generation. We have Jesus and the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist to give us the grace to turn from our sinful ways and repent.

I saw a meme on social media that painted a vivid picture. “Ships don’t sink because of the water surrounding them. Ships sink because the water gets in.” I can’t let what’s happening around me in our world seep in through the armor God gave me and sink my soul. I strive to keep my eyes on Jesus and His promises and keep the negative influences out of my soul through daily devotions, Scripture reading, prayers, the Rosary, and looking for Jesus in daily routines.

Ponder:

How can I keep my focus on Jesus and His promises and not on the world around me?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of Yourself and the sacrifice You made for me. Thank You for giving us signs that You are with us every day.

Copyright 2024 Virginia Pillars

Virginia Pillars, author of Broken Brain, Fortified Faith: Lessons of Hope Through a Child’s Mental Illness, winner of the 2017 Selah Award and CWG SOA, strives to bring God’s hope to mental health by speaking events and as a NAMI volunteer. She contributed to Sharing Your Catholic Faith, Divine Interventions, Whispers in the Pew, and themighty.com. Virginia blogs at www.virginiapillars.com.