Continue on for a daily gospel reflection…
Each day, I look into the readings that will be read at Mass in the Roman Catholic Church and offer a brief reflection on the gospel for that day. I often take an anachronistic approach allowing the words of Jesus to speak to me today.
May you be blessed as you consider the word of God each day.
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St. Ignatius of Loyola
31 July 2026
A brief reflection on Lk 14:25-33
Daily readings for July 31, 2026
There is a cost to discipleship.
Today Jesus reminds us of that fact. We must prefer him in all things, even over family who would leads us away from him. Are we literally to hate our family members? Of course not. The love we should have for our Lord must be so strong so as to eclipse anything that might place a barrier between us and him.
When we count the cost of discipleship, may we always decide in favor of Christ. May we move each day to become better and better followers of our Lord.
Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
30 July 2026
A brief reflection on Mt 13:47-53
Daily readings for July 30, 2026
We bring forth the old and new for the benefit of the Kindom of heaven. Although this line in its context points to the divine teaching of God to his people Israel, it also directs us to bring out all that is good in our current situation and culture. Recognize that this is not the same as all that our culture might say is good.
We live surrounded by many voices of our time, voices which are often slaves to the times as well. Their messages are mixed. We must by actively seek the truth in conformance with the teaching of our Lord and of his Church. In this way we too shall bring out the best of the old, perfect it with the new, and live for God’s greater glory.
And in that we shall indeed find happiness and joy.
Ss. Martha, Mary, and Lazurus
29 July 2026
A brief reflection on Jn 11:19-27
Daily readings for July 29, 2026
“Lord, if you had been here…”
Martha and Mary have experienced a terrible loss, a great mourning and yet she believes that Jesus could have prevented her present sorrow. Later, in a portion of the gospel not included in today’s readings, Martha says the same. And yet Jesus made clear to his disciples before setting out for Bethany that he was delaying his departure for Bethany so that God might be glorifed. He had his reasons for not being there until after Lazarus had died.
As troubles and difficulties enter our lives, we must be open to the possibility that God may be glorified. Our reliance on him through suffering sets an example for others and for ourselves. Suffering is a part of our pilgrimage here on earth and is so important that our Lord made man suffered for our sake. By his suffering for our salvation our suffering is sanctified.
We who suffer become more Christ-like by that fact alone. We who suffer well imitate Christ to others.
Tuesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
28 July 2026
Daily readings for July 28, 2026
A brief reflection on Mt 13:36-43
So why, then is evil allowed to exist among us? We find it, surely enough in all institutions and professions. We can easily believe in evil politiciah, business leaders, and oligarchs. We even find evil in teachers, health-care workers, and priests.
Why must we put up with this? The simple answer is love. We endure the evil ones in our midst that our love might lead them to repentance, that they might at least have the opportunity to cast aside the ways of evil and walk in the way of the Lord.
There is another reason. We, through weakness or ignorance do evil ourselves. If we are attentive, we will notice times when our words and actions were a bit wide of the mark. What a blessing is the second (or third or more) chance.
Evil in our midst is only for a season. We endure it for a season in the hope that all will one day be well. And it shall.