Daily Gospel Reflection for December 11, 2025

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

Reflection by Gabriella Ribeiro

Today's Gospel: Matthew 11:11-15

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus boldly says that John the Baptist is greater than all the people on earth, yet “the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11) He says this to explain to us just how big an honor it is to enter heaven and have eternal life in communion with the Lord. This is a message of hope to those listening and to us,  today, that in heaven we will reap the reward that is so wonderful it surpasses all earthly honors. All who remain unknown among men will be fully known in heaven. Even more, by virtue of being in heaven, we are brought into a certain communion with God that even the holiest person on earth cannot reach. It is a fullness of being that allows us to glorify God in a way far beyond our understanding.

Today is the feast day of Pope Saint Damasus I, who is known for being the one to commission the translation of the Bible into Latin, which changed the liturgical language of the Church from Greek to Latin. His papacy was marked by turmoil and violence, as he was challenged by another group who elected a different pope at the same time. Pope Damasus was a holy man who focused not so much on this conflict as he did on things that last, something evident in his legacy of making the Scriptures accessible to the Catholic faithful and changing the history of the Church as we know it. And now, though he may not have won all the glory and popularity during his earthly life, he lives in greatness with Christ in heaven.

Great people live lives that point to something greater than themselves.

Ponder:

In what ways have you focused on earthly greatness?  How might you orient your life towards heaven?

Pray:

Pope Saint Damasus I, intercede for me that I may always strive to keep my eyes on heaven and not the temporal rewards of this world.

Copyright 2025 Gabriella Ribeiro

Gabriella is a member of the Mission Advancement team at Holy Cross Family Ministries, where she manages donor marketing and communications. She also serves as Youth Minister at Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Winthrop, MA, where you just might find her singing worship music at Adoration. Her downtime is filled with art making, car jam sessions, and fellowship within Boston’s vibrant Catholic young adult communities. 100% Catholic, 0% Mom, Gabriella is nonetheless excited to join this lovely team of ladies in sharing the Gospel with you all!