Daily Gospel Reflection for July 25, 2022

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

Reflection by Colleen O'Dowd

Today's Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

Today is the Feast of St. James (and if you’re oldschool — also St. Christopher), and we hear about James: first martyr, big brother to John the Beloved, 50% of the Sons of Thunder, and son of the ultimate helicopter mom.

One of several patrons of travelers, James, his brother, and his mom get to be part of the Gospel that helps Jesus remind us that we are not meant for this world — that we are called to be pilgrims — moving through one world to another.

Fr. John Riccardo of Acts XXIX Ministry lays down some compelling truth about life in the risen Jesus:

He reminds us that rescued people rescue people.

Read that again.

We truly are ransomed — rescued! Can you imagine?! By Jesus. Actually ransom. As in what you do when someone has been kidnapped. Trafficked. Captured. Taken. Only Jesus doesn’t use money. He uses his actual life.

To come for me. When I think no one will ever come for me. To take me back. To bring me home. And Jesus would do this for me — even if there was only me.

Read that again.

James, John, and their mom don’t just have it wrong because they don’t actually know what they are asking but also because Jesus has not yet been crucified, died, and resurrected. They aren’t even capable of rescuing anyone else because they haven’t been rescued yet.

And here’s the thing: once they have been rescued, they know it. And they can do nothing but RUN to rescue others. So that’s their excuse. What’s yours?

Rescued people rescue people.

And you have been rescued. Ransomed. So get to work.

Ponder:

Do I know I am rescued? Do I live like I have been rescued?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for rescuing me. Help me to live my life seeking to rescue others.

I have been rescued. #Ransomed. So I need to get to work. #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 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, croc 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