Daily Gospel Meditations - Saint John Society

On forgiving daily annoyances - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Have you experienced patient acceptance from God and from others? How are you reacting to the faults committed by those around you? What is the attitude Jesus would want you to develop in this regard?

How should we exercise fraternal correction? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Who am I responsible for? What am I doing for their spiritual well-being? Why has the Lord given the Church that authority? What did Jesus intend us to gain from it?

On spiritual infancy - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What are the elements of a child's heart that Jesus wants you to keep or recover? What is the Lord teaching you about true greatness and humility? Are there things you need to take more seriously, and others you may need to take with a grain of salt?

The link between love and sacrifice - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In what ways has the Lord led you to die to yourself in your faith journey? What fruit have you experienced as a result of those deaths? What is the fruitfulness you see in the lives of Christ and the saints, and how is that connected to their capacity for sacrifice?

Why did Jesus walk on the waters? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Does this miracle resonate with any particular moment in your life? What are the unstable waters Jesus wants you to dare walk through? What's the level of faith in his grace that Jesus wants you to attain?

How are we to understand Jesus' strong reaction against his generation? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Why do you think Jesus reacts so strongly in this gospel? I gave a few reasons, but you may reflect on this a bit more, and come to your own conclusions. How would your life look and feel different if you had a deeper faith?

Why does Jesus insist on the cross if He brings good news? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What do you need to deny in yourself, or the cross you need to take up, in order to follow Jesus more closely? What would you gain if you took up that cross?

Why did Jesus show his glory to the disciples? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What calls your attention about Christ's transfiguration? What are the most significant moments of light that you've had in recent times? What did the Lord want you to discover through them?

Why was Jesus so stern with the Canaanite woman? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Why do you think Jesus subjected the woman to this test? Has God tested your heart at times? What were the outcomes of those tests?

Misinterpretations of the Law - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How can you tell when you are following a tradition that does not come from the Father? Are there distortions of the law that Jesus wants to guard you against? What are secondary elements that play a healthy role in protecting the essentials of your life in Christ?

Facing dangerous waters - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Reflecting on your own life, has the Lord pushed you cross through dangerous waters at times? How was it like? Did you discover God's providence and grace, guiding you? How do you feel now about that experience?

The multiplication of the loaves - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.When did you realize that the Lord noticed your need? How did He provide for you? How did He awaken in you a deeper hunger? How is He inviting you to take advantage of the sustenance He is providing for you?

A spiritual reading of the Baptist's passion - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Enter the soul of Herod in this meditation. Can you relate to the way in which he feels pressured to act in a way he doesn't want to act? How so? Have you experienced the freedom that Christ can give you? What is that freedom like?

Why did people in Nazareth reject Jesus? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Is the sin of envy keeping you from growing spiritually? Have you discovered this vertical element in your life and that of others: the action of the Holy Spirit? How has God assumed the natural qualities you have, while purifying them, and giving them a broader scope?

The parable of the net - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Can you read situations familiar to you in this image of the net gathering fish of every kind? What elements or situations you find yourself in require vigilance and purification, because they are not compatible with life in Christ? Which are those elements that Jesus wants you to assume and redirect toward the Father's glory?

What does it mean that Jesus is the resurrection and the life? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.In what ways have you seen people's lives expand when they come close to Jesus? How has your own life expanded by walking with him? What stands out to you in the lifestyle of these three holy siblings? In what way is Jesus calling you to imitate them?

Can evil be completely eradicated? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What could constitute the opposite danger of being too indecisive or slow in fighting evil? Why do you think Jesus expressed such finality in the separation between good and evil in this explanation?

The mustard seed and the yeast - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.How do these parables resonate with your own journey of faith? What were those small beginnings like? How did you grow from there? How is the Lord calling you to grow his kingdom where you are at right now?

The hidden treasure and the pearl of great price – Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings. How was your conversion? What did you discover under the surface of things that moved you to change your life? What elements remained, showing the continuity of God's plan in your life?

Why Jesus did not completely reject the request of James and John - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What is the kind of greatness you are looking for? Are you allowing your heart to dream of great things? Or are you completely dominated by discouragement and self-doubt? How has Jesus guided you by providing a better scope for your desires and dreams?

The hardened soil and the good soil - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.Do you have experience of these things? What words has the Lord sown in you in recent times? Was there a time in which, looking back, it feels like your soul was hardened, unable to relate to the word of God? What changed things for you? What signs of the good soil do you find in yourself?

Why did Jesus teach the crowds only in parables? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What could be keeping you from understanding the gospels more deeply? What steps in your faith journey enabled to you better understand Christ's teachings? Why is it that you couldn't get the kingdom of God before taking those steps?

Why did Jesus ask Mary not to hold on to him? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today's readings.What elements in this encounter with Christ reflect your own spiritual condition? What do you seek most passionately? If Jesus said to you: “Do not hold on to me,” what would that refer to? What has led you, in different moments, to recognize Christ's presence and voice?

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?