Daily Gospel Meditations - Saint John Society

On the kinship generated by faith - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How have your relationships shifted and expanded as you began to live in Christ? Who are those brothers and sisters you received through faith? In what ways are you called to be responsible for them?

What does the sign of Jonah mean? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How are you receiving the signs that God has given you? What are those signs, the providential encounters, the transformed lives, the responses to prayer? And then think of Christ as the great sign. What calls your attention about the person of Jesus, about his words, teachings, and actions?

The parable of the wheat and the weeds - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do you see yourself reflected in the temptations of these servants? What does Jesus say to you in response to discouragement and impatience in the face of evil?

The key of Christ's resilience against criticism - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How do you respond to challenging situations? What is the fruit of countering evil with goodness? When you find yourself in some trial, what would Jesus want you to focus on?

Why does Jesus claim to be Lord of the sabbath? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Could we be doing the same? Could we be placing discipline and sacrifice and efficiency above love of God and others? Are there situations in your life that resonate with this one? On which aspect of the commandments do you need to focus: the sacrificial, discipline aspect, or the core aspect of seeking God and loving others?

How can we find rest bearing Christ's yoke? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What makes you feel weary and burdened? What is the yoke Jesus is inviting you to take upon yourself? In what way can you come to Jesus today? What does He want you to learn from his heart?

Why only the childlike receive the Son's revelation - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What is the source of your identity and your joy? What have you received from Christ? Are there areas of your life in which you still choose to rely on your own wisdom, more than on God's?

Why did Christ reproach the towns where He conducted his mission? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does God want you to use the graces and blessings He is giving you at this time? Are there ways in which self-complacency can pose a spiritual danger for you?

How can Jesus ask us to love him more than family? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does this passage resonate with you? What are the conflicts you need to accept as part of your journey as disciple? Are there tensions, however, that don't result from faith, but rather from your sinfulness? What does it mean for you to place Christ above other relationships? What aspects of Christ's message are well received by those around you, and what aspects might find more resistance?

The parable of the sower - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you identify these different types of soil at different stages in your journey? What kind of soil prevails in your soul at this time? What is Jesus inviting you to do about it?

The temptations that stem from fear - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What do those fears tell you about what you love and value most? How can you start challenging those fears, so as to place your Christian identity as the most important thing in your life?

The paradox of a peaceful conquest - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What examples of simplicity and shrewdness do you find most inspiring in Christ and in the saints? What skills or virtues is Jesus encouraging you to cultivate, so that you can bear fruit in your mission?

How are we supposed to bring the gospel to others? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What is your experience of living in the kingdom of God? How would you explain the novelty of living in Christ to others? In what ways does your life reflect the message of the gospel? Have you ever seen this played out – you or someone you know being an instrument of Christ to bring salvation to others?

Why did Jesus send his disciples on a mission? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you experienced that distinctive union of wisdom and power in Christianity? Why did God decide to count on us as messengers?

How Jesus dealt with the worst accusations - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What fuels your activity? How is Jesus inviting you to see the outcomes of your activity and to deal with criticism? Invite Jesus today to pour his sentiments into your heart.

A contemplation of the heart of Christ - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you think of situations in which you had to address people's needs or balance many things at once? How do you normally perform in those situations? Now, imagine Christ walking through the same scenario you were in. How would Jesus react? Talk to the Lord about it, telling him what you would like to learn from him.

How can we find rest taking a yoke upon ourselves? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Why did God decide to show his ways to the humble? What difference has it made for you to come to Jesus? How is his yoke different from other yokes?

Why were Christ's disciples not supposed to fast? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.When did you see that transition in you? When did practices cease to be a burden, and become a way to feed the fire the Holy Spirit kindled in you? Are there still old wineskins in you, areas in which practices are a burden, not connected with that fire?

Why did Thomas doubt the resurrection? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What are your own struggles with faith? Do you struggle because it's hard to believe God can do certain things? Or do you struggle that God has chosen this particular way to convey faith to us? Can you relate to Thomas' struggles – his jealousy, the comparison with others, his impulsiveness?

Why did Jesus heal the paralytic? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In what way is Jesus encouraging you to bring others to him, and to prepare them for that encounter? How has Jesus healed your soul, your body, your relationships? What does the Lord respond to the voices of unbelief that arise in your heart?

Why did these demons fear being cast out? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you seen something analogous to this incident, either in your own life or in the life of others? Are you willing to face the unsettling aspects of that fight? What do you find inspiring in Christ's character and actions in this passage?

Why did Jesus challenge the disciples' fears? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What storms have you sailed through in recent times? What are some of the things Jesus wants to remind you of in response to fears or worries you may have? Why do you think He doesn't always respond right away, but may be quiet for a season?

The complementary charisms of Peter and Paul - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Why do you think Jesus decided to endow the Church with these different charisms and promises? In what ways has the Church illumined and sustained you in your faith journey?

The danger of good things - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Is there a risk that some relationships could become an idol for you? What are the crosses that lie in the path of your mission? How can you be a better messenger of Christ for others?

The healing of the centurion's servant - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What calls your attention in the heart of Christ? What kind of faith do you see in yourself? How does it compare to the faith of the centurion?

How can broken people live the law of the gospel? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In seeking to live out the sermon of the mount, what obstacles and weaknesses do you find in you? How has the Lord already helped you bear those weaknesses? What do you ask him now? What does He ask of you now?

The house built on rock - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What elements in your life show that you are consistent in seeking the will of God? Are there areas you need to address to bring your life in line with the Lord's teaching? What are those good beginnings that could give you a false sense of security, if they are not backed up by a consistent behavior?

Why does God create interconnected stories? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you seen instances of God's interventions in your life, or in stories you've heard or read about? What have you learned from those? What keys can you find in this passage about why such interventions can be missed, or misinterpreted, or, on the contrary, used in a good way?

Why the golden rule is not so simple - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In your path of spiritual growth, have you noticed a shift in the kind of good things you want for others? Are there areas in which you already experience this law of growth in the spiritual life: that the road feels narrow in the beginning, and then it broadens? Why is Jesus pointing out these things to you today?

What makes judgment especially problematic - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How would you want others to judge you? How could your judgment of others reflect that measure you'd want used for yourself? How are you working toward removing any blind spots in your moral vision?

Do not live in fear - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Is your life led primarily by fear, or by love? What are the fears that prevail in your heart? What could help you overcome fear? What fruits have you obtained when you've dared trample fear in your heart?

Seek first the kingdom of God - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are there areas in your life in which you still need to give God the first place? Have you seen God's providence at work in your life in recent times? If confidence in God's providence prevailed in your heart over anxiousness about the future, what kind of decisions would you make? What would your life look like?

The images of the treasure and the lamp - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How would you assess before the Lord your own relationship with possessions? Is there anything Jesus would encourage you to imitate in the way He looks at things?

The wisdom of the Lord's Prayer - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Choose three petitions on which you may focus your meditation today. What is the wisdom they contain? Why do you need them? How can they help you grow in prayer?

Walking before the Father's gaze - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you tell those things you do to glorify God from those you do to be seen? How are the outcomes different? What steps is Jesus inviting you to take, so that you may seek him instead of human glory?

How is it possible to love our enemies? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Did you ever receive an act of kindness from someone you considered an enemy? What impact did that have on you? What situations come to mind when you hear this teaching of Christ? What is He encouraging you to do?

How do we deal with difficult people? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you think of instances in which this teaching was applied? What was the impact of those actions? Even if you feel that responding in this way may be hard to achieve in some specific situation you are dealing with, are there smaller steps in that direction that Jesus is encouraging you to take?

The missionary strategy of Christ - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What do you perceive when you look at the world through the eyes of Christ? What does the Lord tell you through his double response, that He cares for us directly and also through the shepherds He has formed? What wisdom do you discover in the way Jesus established things? What relevance does this have for your life?

Let your ‘yes' mean ‘yes.' - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Maybe constant swearing is not something people do in the circles in which you move, but what are other possible ways we may tempted to use today not to be completely truthful? How do lies impact relationships? What is the motivation behind most lies? Have you noticed the contrast there is between relationships that are transparent and truthful, and those that are not?

Three virtues of the Sacred Heart - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Is there anything blocking you off from the source of joy? What keys for acceptance and humility can you learn from the heart of Christ? How has Jesus manifested his goodness to you, both in offering shelter and in helping you face your responsibilities?

A holiness greater than the letter of the law - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Why do you think Jesus asks us to interiorize his commandments? How do you deal with anger? Do you need to seek reconciliation? What is the Lord inviting you to do in this area?

Do we Christians still need the law? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you experienced the good use of laws and good teachings in your faith journey? Do you need to heal your image of the law? In what areas of your life do you need that external help of discipline, good community, mentoring, and good laws?

Salt of the earth and light of the world - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Who are the people who have been salt and light for you? How are you called to be salt and light for others? In what circumstances is the temptation to blend in the strongest for you?

The Beatitudes - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How is the Lord speaking to you through the beatitudes today? Which of them do you see reflected most clearly in the heart of Jesus? Which is the one that describes you best? Which is the one you need the most?

Why did Jesus give us his Body and Blood? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How have scarcity or abundance led you to give greater value to your relationship with God? How does the Eucharist nourish your connection with him? Why is the Eucharist life-giving, yet not conflict-free?

The danger of seeking wealth and attention - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.

Why does it matter that the Messiah is greater than David? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How has God's salvation been manifested in your life and in the lives of people you know? How has that salvation gone above and beyond human expectations? What are those side-effects of salvation that are good outcomes even for this life?

The central role of love in Christian life - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What needs to be redirected in your life, so as to reflect the order of love that Jesus teaches? In what ways is Jesus encouraging you to connect love of God and neighbor, and also love and worship?

The difficulty in imagining heaven - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does the new situation of living in Christ help you understand a bit better what heaven is like? Do you find anticipations of heaven in that new life you have in Christ?

Can you be part of this world as a Catholic? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do you find yourself in a similar situation at times, when others tell you that you cannot be a Catholic and be part of the 21st century? How can you find a Christ-like balance, so as to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God? Who can you think of as a role-model in striking the right balance of living in the world but not being of the world?

The temptation to seize the vineyard - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What aspects of the wisdom of God stand out to you in this parable? In what ways does this parable provide helpful warnings? How is Jesus inviting you to await the renewal He wants to bring to his Church?