Daily Gospel Reflection for December 20, 2022

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

"Do not be afraid."

I love this Gospel that shares the story of how God called Mary to be the mother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we are just days away from celebrating his birthday on Christmas, I reflect on the gift of His presence in the world and personally in my mind, heart, and soul.

As the scripture outlines, an angel appears to her telling her she is holy and has found favor with God, sparking fear in this young girl. She reflects what I feel when the Holy Spirit speaks to me and calls me to do something that in my mind I'm not holy enough to be called to do.

What would my answer have been to Angel Gabriel? In those times, a woman could be killed for having a child out of wedlock, and she was about to marry Joseph. For me the answer would have probably been no. The angel said, "Do not be afraid," just as our beloved St. John Paul II often said during his pontificate. I hear the refrain from a popular hymn with the same title: "Be not afraid, I go before you always. Come, follow me and I will give you rest."

So many times the Lord calls me, and maybe you, to do things that seem unimaginable. When we pray about it, fall to our knees in the presence of the Lord in Adoration, or ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother, we find the courage to say yes.

Ponder:

What is the Lord asking you to do that you need courage to say yes to?

Pray:

Mother Mary, give me the strength and courage to say yes to the Lord when He asks me to do things that I feel unworthy to do.

Click to tweet:
Find the courage to say yes. #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 Sherry Hayes-Peirce