Daily Gospel Meditations - Saint John Society

The healing of the blind beggar - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does this story resonate with your own spiritual journey? What has the Lord enabled you to see more clearly? How does living for Christ feel different from living for yourself? How are you utilizing the talents that came to life in you with your conversion?

The signs that anticipate the end - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you faced situations that anticipated the end for you? What did you learn from those? What is Jesus inviting you to do to be more firmly rooted in him in times of upheaval?

The parable of the judge and the widow - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do I really trust God's character? Do I trust his goodness? In what way may the Lord be challenging me to expand my prayer? Or to be more perseverant? Has weariness entered my heart? Has lack of trust entered my heart? What should I say to the Lord?

Why is it difficult to think of the Second Coming as a reality? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Where is your heart and your security? What is the Lord asking of you, so that your life is grounded in Him?

Why does the Bible use the image of a kingdom? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How is it that the internal and external dimensions of the kingdom of God nurture each other? Can this gospel help you understand how the kingdom of God has entered your own life? How would Jesus want you to strengthen your belonging to his kingdom?

The healing of the ten lepers - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What new possibilities have you received by God's grace in your life? In what ways receiving salvation has opened a door for you to know God? How have you taken advantage of that opportunity to know him and to serve him?

Why would Jesus say we are unprofitable servants? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does this teaching apply to you? Do you think you could be tempted to some entitlement, or to forgetting the privilege it is to know Christ and serve him? Can you think of some saint or role model that embodies the right attitude toward God in this regard?

Could we be causing others to sin? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does your behavior impact others, for good or evil? Are there people who depend on you to find moral guidance? How would the Lord want you to respond to situations in which others around you are acting poorly? Have you seen how God's grace can transform the hearts of people?

Why did Jesus expel vendors from the Temple? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How is Jesus challenging you to purify your heart and your worship? How has He purified your worship already, by uniting you to his own sacrifice? Is anger a problem in your life? How is Jesus inviting you to purify the way you address wrongdoing?

The true wealth of the kingdom - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do you perceive your possessions as a means to serve, or as an end in itself? How is Jesus encouraging you to make friends with what you have? What is true wealth in your eyes? What is the image of a successful life for you?

Lessons on prudence from children of this world - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In what instances do you see Jesus as a model of prudence? How could you apply these lessons to the prudential pursuit of good goals? In what ways is Jesus encouraging you to apply these elements of prudence, so as to grow in this virtue?

The parables of mercy - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How did Christ seek you out when you were lost? To whom is He sending you now? What's the change of heart that needs to take place in you, so that you have the same interests Jesus has?

Could Jesus really be asking us to hate our families? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What does it mean for you to give God the first place in your life? What are the fears that Jesus is inviting you to confront? Have you been able to persevere in spite of the opposition you've found around you? What fruits have come out of that perseverance?

The spiritual problem of acedia - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do you recall your capacity to connect with God at a young age, if that happened? Did some experiences lead you to forget that joy? How was it rekindled in you? Are there activities, possessions, relationships, that may weaken your love for Christ, because of the way you live them out?

Why Jesus wants us to invite those who cannot repay - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you verified this spiritual law, that going beyond your comfort zone helps your love grow in quality? How is Jesus challenging you to love in a selfless way?

What is the reason for purgatory? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you experienced the action of the Lord's grace, drawing you to Christ, and purifying you at the same time? What are those aspects in you that are in need of purification? In what ways has Jesus already given you the beginnings of eternal life?

The saints as reflections of the heart of Christ - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Which of these beatitudes contains an invitation for you to imitate an aspect of Christ's holiness? Is there a saint that you find especially inspiring? Which beatitude would you relate his or her life to? How does that saint illumine the meaning of that particular beatitude?

The courage to confront difficult issues - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are there situations in your life in which you have to combine different moral demands? Are there decisions or dilemmas that you don't want to confront out of fear of others, out of fear of change? How would Jesus guide you to resolve those situations or dilemmas?

Christ's purpose can only be grasped in a key of faith - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are you tempted to be less intentional in your faith because of fear? What spiritual dangers are you exposed to? What are the signs and prophets that God has sent your way? Have you experienced the consequences of not being faithful to God's callings?

Will only a few people be saved? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What does it mean for you to enter the narrow gate? What is the spiritual step that Jesus is encouraging you to take at this time? In what instances have you perceived that evil is a distortion of your real identity?

The weaving of grace and freedom - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does this text help you understand your own calling to be a disciple? Why didn't Jesus make you invincible? What graces has He given you, and what is their purpose?

Opposition in the path of doing good - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What calls your attention in this episode? Why do you think the good actions of Jesus awakened so much opposition? What is the Lord teaching us about the fortitude that is needed if we want to follow him?

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do you notice any symptoms of pride in your own heart? How does this parable help you better understand what pride and humility are about? What steps is Jesus encouraging you to take to grow in humility?

The preparedness Jesus wants for us - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Is my attention too focused on world events? What would Jesus bring to my attention if I complained about what is going on in society? How has He manifested his patience toward me? What kind of fruit is He hoping to find in me?

What does Jesus mean when He asks us to settle accounts with our opponent? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are there situations in which you may be walking in some inconsistency? In what ways is the Lord inviting you to take a second look at the signs, the voice of conscience, his teaching, what others are saying?

Why did Jesus say He would cause trials and division? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What are the desires that prevail in the heart of Jesus? What are the desires that prevail in your own heart? Has Jesus placed desires in you that you are not cultivating, out of fear of their unintended consequences?

Am I supposed to watch over others? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How have you been helped by good stewards who recognized your needs and encouraged you? Who are the people that God has entrusted to your care? Is He encouraging you to take on more responsibilities? How could you become a better steward in God's kingdom?

Watching over your own soul - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What is the Lord encouraging you to do, so as to be more vigilant? What's the temptation for you? What could make you become spiritually drowsy? In what ways has the Lord visited you and waited on you lately, so as to encourage you? What is He about?

The spiritual trap of greed - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you trace some conflicts in your life back to the desire for possessions and control? In what ways would Jesus want to see you freer, so that you may use resources and success, without being dominated by them?

The parable of the judge and the widow - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What makes it challenging for you to persevere in prayer? How has the Lord blessed you in the past, when you've persevered through difficult moments? What has prayer secured for you?

In what ways does the instruction to the 72 apply today? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Who were those disciples that made the kingdom of God available to you? What was moving about their witness? Which lines of the gospel do you see reflected in them? How is Jesus encouraging you to carry the same message to others? What would you want to adjust, so that your witness may be more compelling?

On hypocrisy and the right order of fear - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Is hypocrisy a spiritual danger in your faith journey? When does it become a problem? How can you fight it? What are the things you fear the most? How is Jesus challenging you to re-arrange the order of fear, the order of love in your heart?

Why did Jesus say they would pay for the crimes of prior generations? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What inconsistencies has the Lord led you to discover in your own heart? Have you experienced in some way the cumulative effect of an inconsistent course of action? How can you better utilize your knowledge in the service of God and others?

Distortions in the application of the Law - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are any of these distortions a temptation in your own journey? Could secondary details be eclipsing essentials in your faith life? Do you find that meeting people's approval is too much of a concern for you? How are you using your knowledge of faith to serve others, to open paths for others to know Christ?

Why did Jesus rebuke his host? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do you detect some ongoing dissonance between your heart and what you say and do? Is there something Jesus is inviting you to give away? What's the freedom of heart that the Lord wants for you? What does it look like? What does it feel like?

What did Jesus mean by the ‘sign of Jonah'? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Who has been a sign to you? Whose life has had the greatest impact in your faith journey? In what ways has the presence of Jesus been a sign for you? How are you responding to the signs that God is placing around you right now?

What was missing in the faith of the other nine? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How did Jesus rescue you? How does that put in perspective the good things and the difficulties you are experiencing right now? What reactions would Jesus want to see in you, aside from your faith in him or rather as something stemming from that faith?

God's grace will enhance human relationships - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What is Jesus teaching you about what the highest blessing is? Is He addressing any misplaced expectations? What inspires you about his emotional balance? How has God's grace purified and perfected your relationship with others?

How Jesus confronts suspicion - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Putting the lessons of this gospel together with your experience, in what ways are the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness different? What are some of the lies and accusations that the evil one has used to lead you to distrust God or to lose courage?

Seek and you will find - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In what ways has perseverance in prayer helped you grow? How has the Lord purified your desires through that insistence? What is that “more” that Jesus wants you to seek? What fears could be blocking your spiritual growth?

“Lord, teach us how to pray.” - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.For today's meditation, choose one or two of these petitions, and reflect on this: why is Jesus telling you to pray in that way? Why do you need this kind of prayer?

The better part of Mary - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What's the voice of Martha like in your case? What voices are the most pressing ones? How can prayer help you discern and balance those out? What are instances of activity done in Christ, and instances of activity that stem from unclear ground? How do you distinguish those?

The parable of the good Samaritan - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Are there situations in which twisting the law to your advantage could be a temptation? Who has been like a good Samaritan to you? In what ways is Jesus is encouraging you to replicate that toward others?

What did Jesus mean by saying we are unprofitable servants? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In what area of your life do you need more faith? Can you think of humanly impossible things that have happened through God's power? How would Jesus want to purify your heart, that you may serve him with greater selflessness?

Discovering deeper levels of joy - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What are those moments in your faith journey that allowed you to discover new levels of joy? What is the greater joy that Jesus wants to open up for you now? In what aspects would you describe yourself as humble and teachable? Are there other aspects in which you are not so childlike?

Why did Jesus rebuked the cities He visited? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What are some of the signs and graces that God has given you in recent times? How have you taken advantage of those for your spiritual growth? Is it a temptation for you to reject a message that comes from the Lord because of the imperfection of the message-bearers? Why would Jesus want to still use those messengers, even when their human weakness could pose a challenge?

On humility and personal dignity - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How does pride manifest itself in your life? In what concrete ways is Jesus inviting you to be like a child, and walk humbly with him?

Why did Jesus place such demands on those He called? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Which of the three challenges of Jesus speaks to your situation? How would the Lord want you to see your calling to be his disciple in relation to other commitments?

Jesus as a model of fortitude - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What do you find especially inspiring in Christ's strength of character? In which situations would the Lord invite you to be more patient? In which situations would He invite you to be more assertive and resolute?

Can anything good come from Nazareth? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Is your view of the world highly critical and negative? Why is that? What would Jesus praise in you, if you happened to be in Nathanael's place? What is the Lord's outlook on the world like? Who are the good messengers that Christ has placed in your path, to guide you and protect you?

The parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Does this parable help you identify something that Jesus wants you to address in your life? Can you verify that the separation between light and darkness starts in this life, at times even inside your own heart? Why does Jesus defend the sufficiency of faith?