Daily Gospel Reflection for December 1, 2025

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

Reflection by Colleen O'Dowd

Today's Gospel: Matthew 8:5-11

The words “authority” and “submission” can sometimes be misunderstood.

The word authority comes from “author.” An author writes something (or someone) into existence. So it follows that an author, someone in authority over another, is responsible to steward that person and their gifts, talents, and skills. We make it about “the boss,” but true authority is about sacrificial love and responsible stewardship of people and things.

Submitting to another’s authority comes from submission. Consider the word submission: sub, meaning “under” and mission. To submit means to be under mission together. To be working for the same end, the same mission. And if we are submitting to the authority of Jesus – or someone placed in authority over us by someone who loves Jesus, then we are in essence “under mission” with Jesus Himself. And since Jesus submits His authority to God, that makes us under mission from God.

What a story is contained in this Gospel! Matthew reminds us that even Jesus can still be surprised by the faith of others. The centurion's servant was healed by the centurion simply following the line of submission and authority. Today, we hear the centurion's words every time we celebrate Mass.

What an amazing Gospel story to open the season of Advent. It’s about recognizing Who is really in charge. And it calls us to prepare our hearts, minds, souls, and homes to more readily welcome and love Him Whom we belong to.

Ponder:

Whom in my life do I have authority over, and how am I doing at stewarding that authority like the centurion did?
Who in my life has authority over me, and how am I doing at submitting to that authority the way the centurion did?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, You submit to the authority of Your heavenly Father the same way the centurion submitted to Yours. Show me how to be happy to “be under the same mission” as those in true authority over me.

Copyright 2025 Colleen O'Dowd

Colleen O’Dowd is a parish missionary at Our Lady of Ransom in Niles, IL. She loves being Catholic; her Converse All Stars, Crocs and socks are always liturgically correct; and she is a super-saint-geek! She blogs ultra-occasionally at www.ourheartswereburningwithin.wordpress.com and can also be found @catholiccolleen on Twitter and Instagram.