Daily Gospel Reflection for December 29, 2022

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 2:22-35

“I know you feel terrible. I did, too. But I would feel the way you’re feeling right now every day for the rest of my life if it meant I had my kids.”

I held onto those words, shared with me at the beginning of my nauseated, exhausted first trimester, throughout my pregnancy. Especially at the beginning, I needed that message to remember the fact that I was suffering for a reason—for a person—and that I did already love that person more than my own comfort, more than my own life, and that that love would grow as the baby did.

Pregnancy and childbirth caused a fibromyalgia flareup that has continued to the day I am writing this, as my daughter has passed her first birthday. And I know that the person who told me that meant it, because I can now say the same thing.

We don’t know how much Mary suffered while she was pregnant and during childbirth; there’s a lot of debate about that question. But we do know how much she suffered after Jesus grew up. And we know, thanks to today’s Gospel reading, that she knew she would suffer greatly for being Jesus’ mother.

Was she afraid? Did she regret her “yes”?

I’m sure she was afraid. Fear is not a sin, and we know Jesus was afraid in the Garden. But I have a feeling she didn’t regret her “yes.” Standing there in the temple, holding her child in her arms, hearing that a sword would also pierce her heart, I think she still had no regrets. Because I don’t. Whatever pain, physical or emotional, motherhood has caused you, I’m sure you don’t, either.

Ponder:

How can Mary’s example help you through the trials of motherhood?

Pray:

Mary, Mother of God, when swords pierce my own heart, help me to stay faithful to my vocation and trust in God’s plan for my family, as you trusted in His plan for yours.