Today’s Gospel: Matthew 18, 21-35

I am passive in conflicts. I take everything in and internalize, but don’t react physically or verbally when someone is upset with me or I with them. This leads to those feelings building up. I may be letting things slide, but I am not letting them go. This culminates into a large argument when I’ve hit my limit, which is what happened.

The resentment between us boiled over and we vented our frustrations loudly. After cooling down, I felt the need to apologize. Then I decided that I wanted to hold onto my spite. I felt justified in my anger. I may have been in the wrong, but that doesn’t make them right. So I went to sleep bitter and bruised.

I awoke wanting resolution and healing, but couldn’t bring myself to reach out. Then I read today’s Gospel. It was one of those times that I felt God giving me a love tap upside the head (à la NCIS).
Jesus answers Peter that he should forgive not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Seven is an important number in the bible. It signifies perfection and completeness (i.e. the number of days creation took). Therefore 77 times is Jesus being emphatic. Absolutely always forgive.

God in His love sent His son, Jesus, for the forgiveness of sins. He offers that grace and forgiveness to me always, through the Sacraments. I, therefore, need to offer that reconciliation as well. Through it we find healing. Through it we find peace.

Ponder:

What relationships in your life need healing? Who do you need to forgive?

Pray:

Thank you, Lord, for your love and forgiveness. Holy Spirit, fill us with your charity, peace and generosity; Give us understanding in our relationships. Help us to forgive others from our hearts.

Copyright 2016 Brandon Christison

Born and raised Catholic, Brandon is a music minister in the Diocese of Fresno. In 2012 he released the album “Made for Jesus”. The first track “One” was played on Pandora over 1 million times in 2014. “Made for Jesus” debuted at #4 on the Catholic Music Countdown and reached #1 shortly thereafter. His website is MadeforJesus.com.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 1, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 4, 24-30

In today’s Gospel Jesus rebukes his own people—the people of his hometown Nazareth—because of their hardness of heart. He challenges them for their reluctance to accept him as their messiah.

Those who should know Jesus best misunderstand him. The people of Nazareth are skeptical about Jesus because they are already familiar with him. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” They think they know enough about him to decide just what he can and cannot do. And the carpenter’s son surely cannot be the messiah. And so they close their hearts to accepting the greatest news the world has ever heard, from the greatest man (okay, I know, he’s also God) this world has ever seen.

At times I find myself acting like the people of Nazareth. I’m tempted to think that I already know enough about Jesus, that I’ve had enough experience with him to know just what he can and cannot do. I think, “You’re great and all, Jesus, but I highly doubt you can heal this wound in my heart, or transform this (seemingly) hopeless situation.” I know it’s crazy, but I often underestimate the power and the depth of God’s infinite love.

Pope Francis invites us to “Let God surprise us.” What a beautiful invitation! God loves when we are open to receiving great and unexpected gifts from him. He loves when we trust in his desire and ability to do miraculous things in our lives. That the carpenter’s son from Nazareth was actually the Son of God come to save us was surely a joyful surprise. The Incarnation, the Resurrection, the Eucharist—these are glorious surprises from God. Perhaps today on leap day, a surprising day in itself, we can open our hearts confidently to receive the surprises God has in store for us.

Ponder:

Am I open to being surprised by God’s love, which always surpasses my expectations? In what ways have I received and accepted the gifts that God has offered me recently?

Pray:

Lord, I trust confidently in your love for me and in your ability to work in my life. Please open my heart so I receive all of the abundant and surprising gifts you wish to give me.

Copyright 2016 Will Hudson

Will works for the Apostleship of Prayer as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. He joined the AoP in 2015 after completing his master’s degree in Theology at Boston College. He was born and raised in Kansas and received his undergraduate degree from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, where he met his beautiful wife Jenna.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 29, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 13, 1-9 – Third Sunday of Lent

What is Jesus talking about in the first part of this Gospel passage? And how does it even connect to the parable he shares? With the help of a little research I finally felt the urgency that is expressed in this passage. The details of the tragedies Jesus describes are lost on our modern ears, but we can make easy parallels to today: the political and religious persecutions carried out around the world, natural disasters that take innocent lives, senseless acts resulting in tragic loss of life.

There are days when I scan through my Facebook feed and my heart hurts with the visual reminders of persecutions and natural disasters. I want to ask God, “why?” Why does God allow these things to happen? Why does God allow this senseless loss of life? Jesus, in today’s Gospel passage, doesn’t ask that question. Instead he turns it back to us, he asks if we are ready. We need to repent and change our ways or we, too, could be struck down before we are ready.

Life is short, life is fragile, life is vulnerable. These tragedies remind us of that. Twice Jesus tells us to repent. There is no time, we may be called before God for judgement in the next hour, day, or year. Don’t wait, Jesus says, repent now!

How does the parable relate? Again, Jesus is telling us that we do not know the day or the hour. Like the fig tree, our life is short. Will we bear fruit before God calls us home? Or will we remain barren and be cut down before we have a chance to repent? Fortunately we are not trees, we have a choice and can repent, follow God’s ways, and be ready for whenever our time comes.

Ponder:

If you were to meet God today, would you be ready? How often do you make use of the gift of the sacrament of Reconciliation?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, I am truly sorry for my sins and ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. Help me to always be mindful of my need for repentance. Amen.

Copyright 2016 Kerri Baunach

Kerri Baunach is a Catholic wife, mom of three boys (plus 3 in heaven), lives in central Kentucky, and is currently a Benedictine Oblate Novice. Kerri works as a music librarian, was a musician for over 20 years, is passionately pro-life, and can’t cook. Kerri writes for and is a member of the board of CatholicSistas.com.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 28, 2016 – 3rd Sunday of Lent appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The story of the prodigal son is so familiar that it’s almost hard to read. Even so, it’s a story that has long struck me close to my heart.

Like so many, I wandered away. I made terrible decisions. I all but spit in everyone’s face because, you know, “I can DO IT MYSELF!”

And when I came back, there were open arms. I expected (still expect) harsh judgments, critical lectures, or, at the very least, some flogging punishments. What I got instead was mercy, compassion, and love.

Now, as a parent, I find myself in a different part of the story. While I can still wander off (and still do!), it’s less likely I’ll be found feeding with pigs. But these young people in my life…the thought of them making decisions as I did drives me to my knees.

And it will send me running to the end of the road when they return!

Ponder:

Who needs your embrace today? How can you show mercy to that someone who needs it?

Pray:

Father, help me to embrace others with the mercy you show me.

Copyright 2016 Sarah Reinhard

When she’s not chasing kids, chugging coffee, or juggling work, Sarah Reinhard’s usually trying to stay up read just one…more…chapter. You can find her online at SnoringScholar.com.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 27, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

I often insert myself into the Bible stories, so when I first read this parable, I immediately identified with the Master’s servants. The Master’s servants don’t get an easy time of it – here, they are beaten, stoned, and killed. It’s entirely possible some of us could face martyrdom in the course of working for our Master, too. That’s just part of our “employment package,” and as far as I’m concerned, it’s worth it. After all, why should I pride myself better than the Son, who met a brutal reception doing His Father’s business?

But, I also identify with the wicked tenants who are out to defraud the Landowner, even to the point of committing murder. How often have I sought to defraud my Master, volitionally or out of simple carelessness? How many times have I held something back – some resource, some part of myself? “This isn’t important, it’s only this little bit of money,” I try to hoard, or, “I can’t help this person, I have to look out for myself, here,” as I turn my back on a need presenting itself to me.

The fact is, the Master owns me. He bought me on that Cross. There is no “mine” – it’s all His, to command, to delegate, to collect. . .to harvest as He sees fit.

Ponder:

Have I given my all to my Master? Is there anything I’ve tried to except from His ownership of me?

Pray:

Heavenly Father, please help me to remember just how completely I belong to You – no exceptions, no compromises.

Copyright 2016 Laura Lowder

Laura Lowder was received into the Catholic Church in November, 2002, after more than 25 years as an evangelical Protestant. She is a Benedictine oblate and lay leader of her local oblate deanery. In addition to writing, Laura works in church music and teaches piano.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 26, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 16, 19-31

Today’s Gospel reminds me of the “Amazing Grace” verse that says, “I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

Today’s parable is about a rich man who doesn’t notice the poor, sickly, and starving man lying at his door. If he does notice poor Lazarus, he certainly doesn’t help him. After they both pass away, the rich man looks up from the “netherworld” where he is being tormented, and sees Abraham comforting Lazarus. When the rich man asks Abraham for comfort, he is reminded that he lived a good life and didn’t help poor Lazarus even though he had the ability to do so.

In the afterlife, the roles of the two men are now reversed. The rich man will live in torment and Lazarus will live with God in heaven, healed, whole, happy.

To me, it is monumentally sad, tragic even, that the rich man never got to feel the joy of serving a person (or people) who really needed his help. He never got to look into Lazarus’ eyes and see the thanksgiving in them. He never made a difference.

God commands us to help the least of HIS people. As I write this, I feel monumentally blessed to be the kind of person that reaches out to help others and who knows so many great people who do more than I ever could. We were all taught the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done to you! I leave you with this quote from one of my favorite people.

“Be the one!” ~ Mother Teresa

Ponder:

How can you use your time and talent to make our world a better – more loving, comforting, and hopeful place – for the least of your brethren?

Pray:

Dear Lord, I pray that You touch my heart and guide me in ways that encourage me to reach out and help my neighbors. Take me out of my comfort zone and mold me into a more giving and helpful person. Please keep me in Your light that I may never be lost to You and Yours. Amen!

Copyright 2016 Emily Davis

Emily Davis is Catholic convert, homeschooling mom, and 3rd grade religious ed teacher. She lives in the Fort Worth area with her husband Marque and son Christopher. She left her career in event planning and executive administration to stay home with her son who has Aspergers. She writes about faith, life, finances, homeschooling and crafting. davishomemarysmantle.blogspot.com

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 25, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

There is no shortcut to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus has just warned the twelve of his coming passion, and in an exquisite moment of bad timing, Salome, mother of James and John, requests that her son be granted honors when Jesus becomes king. On the very road to His passion, they still don’t get it.

Like us, they think things will continue as they always have. For James and John, that meant an earthly king with power to rule and grant favor. For us, it means that our conversions too often come without an expectation of the cross. We must drink the cup along with James and John, and in it we shall drink our trials and our hardships. Yet that cup is not filled with gall but with a share in the blood shed by the Lord, so our suffering doesn’t have to be meaningless. United to the cross in baptism, we participate in the saving work of Christ.

Everything is made new in Christ, and the old forms and meanings don’t hold. The apostles expect greatness in this world, not imagining that our glory only comes in the next. The apostles expect to sit at the side of the king while servants give them the choicest morsels on golden plates. Jesus had something else in mind for them, and us. They were to serve as he did, even unto death. And He Himself would provide the choicest of all morsels, not a golden plate, but from His very hands, and made of His very body.

Ponder:

Do we expect our faith to lift us up above all people and even all trials, or do we realize that we are closest to Christ in our brokenness and humility?

Pray:

Lord, help us to serve in our lives, and with our suffering, to help build up the Kingdom.

Copyright 2016 Thomas L. McDonald

Thomas L. McDonald is a writer, catechist, and historian. He blogs at God and the Machine.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 24, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.