Daily Gospel Reflection for October 16, 2024

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 11:42-46

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is very upset because of the focus the Pharisees put on how God should be worshipped. He accuses them of giving too much attention to the little things instead of looking at the big picture of what matters most to God, which is love.

I think that this is a very common mistake we make as Catholic Christians both in how we worship and how we parent. I am a single mom to a son, now seventeen years old. I always tried to do my best and had the best of intentions while trying to be the best mom I could be. He was a challenging infant and toddler.

As he grew up, I discovered, about three years ago, that he was autistic. Of course, that made me question all the techniques I used when parenting him, daily. My thoughts would go to those dark places: Did I do the right thing? Did I make him feel worse? And on and on I would go.

One thing that I have learned on this long and challenging journey is that I must focus on the big picture and not nit pick at all the little things he does or that I do.

Maybe instead of pointing out all the things he didn’t do when cleaning the kitchen, I can celebrate all the great things he did nicely. Of course, this is only one example of many.

I have had to try and train myself to do this in order to encourage his efforts and appreciate how much he tries, especially because he is aware of how his brain works.

So, I will try my best to listen to Jesus and look at the big picture of motherhood instead of nitpicking at all that I could’ve done better.

Ponder:

How has your lens changed as a mom?

Pray:

Lord, please let us rest on Your sacred heart in order to receive the graces of Your love and patience.

Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Estrada