Catholic Daily Reflections

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Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:31–32

Throughout history, rulers have vied for power, and countless wars have been fought over ambitions for political control. Even in modern democracies, there is constant strife over who should lead. Yet, in the end, there will be only one King Who will sit upon His glorious throne forever.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that although civil governance plays an important role in our earthly lives, we must never lose sight of the One Eternal King. When Jesus returns in all His glory, accompanied by the entire Celestial Hierarchy of Heaven, all justice and righteousness will be fully established. Each of us will appear before Him as Judge. At that moment, and for eternity, only one thing will matter: How did I live while on earth?

Too often, the temptation to live as though this life is an end in itself dominates us. When faced with injustice, we may respond with anger. When our preferred political party is not in power, we can become disillusioned, considering it a tragedy. Many are seduced into believing that accumulating more material goods leads to greater happiness, and poverty or simplicity is undesirable, a sign of failure. Yet, in the end, one thing alone will matter and one thing alone will endure—charity.

In the passage above, Jesus uses the image of a shepherd separating sheep from goats. This familiar image to the people of His time depicts the end of the age. During the day, a shepherd often allowed sheep and goats to graze together, just as God permits all people—the righteous and the unrighteous—to live in this world together. But at night, the shepherd would separate the sheep from the goats. Sheep, being more docile, obedient, and faithful, represent those who live according to God’s will. Goats, often more unruly and independent, symbolize those who live selfishly.

The contrast is striking. Faith, hope, and charity are not abstract ideas; they are supernatural virtues that win for us a place in the eternal Kingdom of God. Self-centered living, worldly ambitions, and unruly passions extinguish these virtues, leading to God’s judgment and condemnation at the end of time.

Knowing these truths should instill vigilance and hope in us. Vigilance will help us remain faithful members of God’s true Kingdom, living out charity toward God and others. Hope will inspire us to live with an eternal perspective. Worldly ambitions will pass with this life. But if our hope is set on the eternal Kingdom, it will lead us to holiness and a deeper union with God.

Reflect today on the eternal promises our Lord makes to us. At the end of time, He will separate the sheep from the goats. We must never forget that while God is perfectly merciful, He is also perfectly just. If His mercy is not embraced through repentance and conversion, His justice must be satisfied in the end. But if His mercy is embraced, it perfectly fulfills justice, and we will live with Him as our King and Shepherd forever. 

My merciful and just King, at the end of time, You will return with all Your angels to judge the living and the dead, establishing Your eternal Kingdom. I pray that I will be counted among Your sheep. Please grant me the grace of humility and repentance so that I may grow in love for You and in charity toward all. Jesus, I trust in You.

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At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:1–3

In His great humility and compassion for us, Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God, allowed Himself to endure something that we sinful human beings encounter every day—temptation. God’s glorious plan from the beginning included the creation of both humans and pure spirits—angels—to form one glorious Kingdom of God. Original Sin, the fall of the angels, and our struggle against temptation were not part of God’s original intention, but they became realities due to the misuse of free will, both by angels and by humans. Free will was necessary for both angels and humans to love God freely, which led to a third of the angels and many humans turning away from Him.

Theologians such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine offer profound insights into God’s original plan for His Kingdom. In that plan, angels were believed to have been tasked with assisting humans in their journey toward perfection through enlightenment and contemplation. Some choirs of angels were tasked with the governance of the cosmos, guiding the physical world in harmony with God’s will.

Tragically, the fall of a third of the angels, along with the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, has resulted in a world filled with struggle and sin. The fallen angels—now demons—use their natural gifts to deceive, confuse, and tempt. Those who were once responsible for guiding the cosmos now seek to sow chaos, contributing to the existence of natural disasters, disease, and death. While Catholic angelology is speculative, based on a limited amount of biblical revelation, it is important to recognize the role of angels and demons as we enter this sacred season of Lent.

Today’s Gospel focuses on the activity of the most powerful fallen angel—satan, originally named Lucifer, meaning “Light-Bearer.” Tradition holds that he was among the highest of the angels, possibly a Seraphim. According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, Lucifer’s fall resulted from pride: He desired to be a god unto himself, to create and govern according to his own will, refusing to serve God. This cosmic reality, of which both Jesus and satan were fully aware, sets the stage for and adds profound significance to their encounter in the desert.

In this dramatic confrontation, Jesus, by allowing Himself to be tempted, begins the ultimate defeat of satan, a victory that will culminate in Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection. This is the only recorded instance in which Jesus permits satan to tempt Him directly. While satan remained active throughout Jesus’ ministry, seeking to disrupt His mission, this moment in the desert addresses temptation specifically. By rejecting each temptation, Jesus not only demonstrates how to overcome the devil but also empowers humanity with the grace needed to resist temptation through His triumph on the Cross.

As we enter into the first full week of Lent, reflect today on the temptations you face in your own life. Though satan is powerful and highly intelligent, he is no match for the grace of God. By uniting ourselves to Christ, we are strengthened to resist all that satan and his demons throw at us. Victory over temptation is not achieved by our own strength but through Christ’s grace, which He freely offers to all who turn to Him. 

My victorious Lord, You faced satan with courage, the once-beautiful angel who fell from grace through pride and envy. Now he seeks to destroy those whom You love. Give me Your strength and courage this Lent as I confront my own temptations, so that united with You, I may share in Your victory. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. Luke 5:27–29

Levi’s life changed in an instant. He encountered the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and in response to Jesus’ simple yet profound invitation—“Follow me”—Levi left everything behind and followed Him. This radical decision offers an inspiring witness as we begin our Lenten journeys.

Christ’s call is often twofold. Even those baptized as infants must eventually hear and respond to that call for themselves. There comes a moment after the age of reason when those raised in the faith must choose whether to embrace the call to follow Jesus. For those who did not encounter Christ in their youth or who might have strayed from Him, the call is ever-present, continuously offered by God. Like Levi, once that invitation is heard and internalized, it demands a response—a radical choice to follow Him. And with that choice, life is never the same.

When Levi accepted Jesus’ invitation, his life underwent a complete transformation. He “left everything behind.” While his career as a tax collector was financially lucrative, it likely left him spiritually empty. Tax collectors were viewed with disdain by their fellow Jews because they worked for the Roman oppressors and often took more than what was owed for their own profit. This position, though offering wealth, created a life of moral compromise, guilt, and isolation. It was into this interior emptiness that Jesus entered. Levi, touched by an intuitive grace, recognized that abandoning everything and following Christ was the answer to his deepest longings.

Have you heard Christ’s call in your own life? Have you abandoned everything that stands in the way of fully following Him? This question is especially significant for those who were raised in the faith. While being baptized as a child and growing up in the Church is a great gift, it does not automatically mean that we have internalized the faith or personally responded to Jesus’ invitation. Have you truly heard Jesus call you? Have you left behind everything that hinders your complete “Yes” to Him?

Levi’s transformation didn’t stop with his “Yes.” He wanted to share his newfound joy and faith with others. Levi hosted a “great banquet” for Jesus in his home, inviting a large group of tax collectors and others to meet the One who had changed his life. His encounter with Christ was so profound and life-giving that he couldn’t keep it to himself—he wanted others, especially those whom he knew were also spiritually empty, to encounter the same transformative love.

If you have responded to Jesus’ call and given your life to Him, your heart will naturally burn with a desire to share that joy with others. As you look at your family, friends, and acquaintances, do you see the same restlessness or emptiness that once filled your heart? How might God be calling you to invite them to encounter Christ? Perhaps, like Levi, you are called to “host a banquet” in your own way, sharing the Good News with those who need it the most.

Reflect today on Levi’s conversion and see your own life in his story. Recognize the restlessness within your heart and listen for Jesus’ call. Identify Him as the answer to your deepest desires. Say “Yes” to His invitation, abandoning everything that competes with His will, and share the treasure of your faith with others. Embracing this twofold path is one of the best ways to ensure a truly fruitful Lent. 

My inviting Lord, You call to me each day, yet I often fail to listen. Help me to hear Your voice more clearly this Lent and to respond with all my heart. I choose to leave behind all that stands in the way of following You, and I pray that You will use me to invite others to Your heavenly banquet. Jesus, I trust in You.

Image: © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro

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The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew 9:14–15

Fasting is an essential spiritual discipline. It signifies humility, repentance, and a sincere turning toward God, while also strengthening the virtue of temperance. This enables us to overcome inordinate desires for food, drink, and other appetites of the flesh. Given its significance, John the Baptist’s disciples were surprised to see that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting. They approached Jesus with a genuine question, seeking to understand. Jesus responded with a profound truth, explaining why fasting was not yet necessary for His disciples.

In His rhetorical reply, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” Jesus identifies Himself as the Bridegroom whose presence brings joy and celebration. While He was with them, fasting was not needed. However, Jesus makes it clear that a time will come when the Bridegroom will be “taken away”—referring to His Passion and death—and at that time, fasting would be essential as His disciples take up their own crosses to follow Him.

This passage not only teaches us about fasting, it also offers insight into how we should respond to both spiritual consolations and times of dryness in prayer. When we experience God’s closeness, we should respond with gratitude and joyful praise. However, when those consolations fade, God invites us to enter into a deeper spiritual journey—through fasting, increased prayer, and penance. God often gives us moments of consolation to prepare us for the more challenging periods when our faith is deepened and purified. Thus, we should savor the joyful moments but embrace the difficult ones as opportunities for even greater spiritual growth.

It’s also important to note the disposition of John’s disciples in this Gospel. Unlike the Pharisees who often questioned Jesus with malicious intent, John’s disciples came in humility with a sincere desire to understand. They were not trying to trap Jesus or find fault with Him; they genuinely sought clarity. John had already pointed them to Jesus, identifying Him as the Lamb of God. When they noticed a difference in practice—that Jesus’ disciples were not fasting—it was difficult for them to reconcile that with their own spiritual customs. Rather than doubting or criticizing, they approached Jesus openly, and He responded to them with gentle instruction.

This teaches us a vital lesson: We must approach God—and others—with humility and openness, especially when we are confused or in conflict. When misunderstandings or disagreements arise, it’s easy to condemn or judge, but doing so is a lack of humility and rarely leads to peace or reconciliation. Like John’s disciples, we must always seek to understand, especially in matters of faith.

In our relationship with God, this humble disposition is essential. When things don’t go as we expect, we can become frustrated, even feeling abandoned by God. In such moments, it’s tempting to distance ourselves from Him or rely on our own understanding. However, any conflict or confusion we experience in our spiritual lives is never because God is distant or indifferent. It is often our sin, lack of trust, or misunderstanding that clouds our judgment. God’s will is always perfect, and we must approach Him with faith, knowing that He never abandons us. 

Reflect today on the example of John’s disciples who approached Jesus with a heart open to understanding. Use their example in your own life, especially when you experience confusion or conflict—whether with God or others. Embrace humility and openness, and you will be granted the grace of understanding and peace.

My perfect Lord, You are always present to me, always attentive, and always leading me into Your perfect will. When I become confused, grant me the graces of humility and openness, so that I may seek Your will and come to know Your way. Help me to approach others with the same humility and charity, free from judgment and harshness, so that Your peace may reign. Jesus, I trust in You.

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“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” Luke 9:23–25

Today’s Gospel presents us with one of the great paradoxes of our faith: the only way to save one’s life is to lose it by taking up Christ’s Cross and following Him. This truth defies human reason; we can only fully grasp it through divine revelation. The wisdom of the Cross is hidden and transformative, revealing a deeper reality that our natural instincts might miss.

Imagine gaining the whole world. What would that look like? From a secular perspective, it could mean possessing immense wealth, enjoying complete freedom, acquiring fame, and holding worldly power. Is it possible to attain all that the world offers and still save your soul? What if you were charitable, giving ten percent to the poor? What if you lived in luxury without being attached to it? Is that truly feasible? 

Though some might convince themselves it is, Jesus’ life teaches us otherwise. He wasn’t wealthy by worldly standards. He had no earthly power in the conventional sense. He didn’t seek comfort or luxury. His singular focus was the salvation of souls, and He lived that mission fully.

This raises another question: Was Jesus happy in this life? His earthly existence was marked by hardship. He was born in a cave, escaped Herod’s attempt on His life as an infant, and likely lost Saint Joseph at a young age. He endured 40 days of intense temptation by satan, was rejected by His own people in Nazareth, and, though loved by many, was hated by others. Ultimately, He was betrayed, unjustly condemned, beaten, and crucified.

Is that happiness? Not in a worldly sense. But Jesus’ happiness was in doing the will of His Father. This obedience, this perfect fulfillment of His divine mission, brought a happiness beyond our human comprehension—a deep, abiding joy rooted in perfect love and surrender to God’s plan. 

As we begin Lent, a good question to ask ourselves is: “Am I happy?” Many people struggle with this question. Like our Lord, we endure trials, suffering, and disappointment. Jesus wasn’t exempt from these; He faced the full range of human experience. He likely faced rejection as a boy because He was different. He knew the sorrow of losing loved ones and faced the daily demands of work to help support His family. 

In the mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming man—the Son of God intimately shares in every human suffering. He understands our struggles and sorrows firsthand. This is why Jesus can look at us with compassion and say, “I understand.” He is not only divine and transcendent, He is also intimately close, having lived through the very trials we face. 

It is this reality that makes His words in today’s Gospel so powerful: “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” The Cross is the roadmap to true happiness. Our human nature might seek to avoid suffering, but Jesus invites us to embrace it with grace, uniting it with His own suffering. Through the Cross, we find victory and fulfillment in ways that our natural reasoning could never grasp. 

Reflect today on the wisdom of the Cross. Human reason alone will never fully comprehend it or accept it as the path to happiness. Let God’s truth elevate your mind to see beyond the false promises of the world. Embrace the Cross with trust, knowing that it is the gateway to true joy, peace, and eternal life. 

My wise Lord, too often I rely on my limited understanding, trying to find happiness through worldly means. Grant me Your gift of wisdom so I may see the glory of the Cross and the sacrifices to which You call me. Help me take up my Cross daily and follow You, trusting that it is the true path to the fulfillment I seek. Jesus, I trust in You.

Image: Jesus is given his cross by Theophile Marie Francois Lybaert

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