Category: Today’s Devotional

Scripture: Matthew 17:22-27 (WEBBE)

22 While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?”
25 He said, “Yes.”
When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
26 Peter said to him, “From strangers.”
Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.
27 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”

Reflection:

In this passage, we find Jesus and His disciples in the midst of two significant conversations—one about His impending death and resurrection, and the other about paying the temple tax. Both discussions reveal deeper truths about Jesus’ identity and His approach to earthly systems and obligations.

Jesus begins by foretelling His death and resurrection, a prophecy that deeply grieves His disciples. This revelation of His impending sacrifice is a reminder of the ultimate mission of Christ—to lay down His life for the salvation of the world. The disciples, however, are overwhelmed with sorrow, struggling to comprehend the necessity and the hope embedded in Jesus’ words.

As the narrative shifts to the matter of the temple tax, we see an interesting exchange between Jesus and Peter. When asked if Jesus pays the temple tax, Peter quickly affirms that He does. Jesus, however, takes this opportunity to teach a lesson on His divine authority. He asks Peter whether kings collect taxes from their own children or from others, implying that, as the Son of God, Jesus is exempt from such obligations.

Yet, Jesus chooses not to exercise this exemption in order to avoid causing offense. Instead, He instructs Peter to catch a fish, where he would find a coin sufficient to pay the tax for both of them. This miraculous provision highlights two key truths: first, Jesus’ authority over creation, and second, His willingness to submit to earthly systems for the sake of others.

This passage invites us to reflect on our own lives in two significant ways. First, do we trust in God’s provision? Just as Jesus provided the exact amount needed through a miraculous means, we are reminded that God is aware of our needs and capable of providing in ways we might not expect. We are called to trust in His care, even when we cannot see the way forward.

Second, do we exercise our freedom in Christ with wisdom and love? Jesus, though free from the obligation to pay the tax, chose to do so to prevent unnecessary offense. We too are called to live in a way that reflects our identity as God’s children while also considering the impact of our actions on others.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the assurance of Your provision and for the example of humility and wisdom You set before us. Help us to trust in Your care, knowing that You are fully aware of our needs. Teach us to live in the freedom You have given us, using it to serve others and to glorify Your name. May we follow Your example in all things, seeking to honor You in both our actions and our relationships. Amen.

Contemplation:

Spend some time in quiet reflection, considering areas of your life where you need to trust in God’s provision more fully. Ask Him to strengthen your faith and to open your eyes to the ways He is already at work. Also, think about how you exercise your freedom in Christ. Are there areas where you could be more mindful of others, choosing to act in love and consideration? Invite God to guide your steps in these matters.

Scripture: John 6:41-51 (NABRE)

41 The Jews murmured about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” 42 and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets: ‘They shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; 50 this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

Reflection:

In John 6:41-51, we witness a profound moment where Jesus reveals Himself as the Bread of Life, offering eternal nourishment that surpasses anything the world can provide. The crowd’s murmuring and doubt reflect a common human struggle—we often question what we don’t fully understand. Jesus’ claim to be the Bread from Heaven challenges their understanding of who He is, rooted in their familiarity with His earthly origins.

Jesus’ response invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. He tells us that it is the Father who draws us to Him, and this drawing is a process of grace. Our journey of faith begins with a divine invitation, one that requires our response. It is not by our own efforts alone that we come to believe in Christ, but through the gentle yet persistent call of God.

As Jesus continues, He emphasizes the promise of eternal life, a gift that comes through believing in Him. The manna in the desert, while miraculous, was temporary. In contrast, the Bread that Jesus offers—His very flesh—provides life that never ends. This is a radical promise, one that invites us to trust in something beyond our physical senses.

To partake in this Bread of Life is to enter into the mystery of the Eucharist, where we encounter the living Christ. Each time we receive the Eucharist, we are reminded that Jesus is the source of our life, our sustenance, and our hope. His sacrifice on the cross, made present in the Eucharist, is the ultimate expression of God’s love for us.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, we thank You for the gift of Your presence in the Eucharist. Draw us closer to You, that we may be nourished by Your love and strengthened in our faith. Help us to recognize the divine invitation in our daily lives and to respond with open hearts. May we always seek the eternal life You offer, trusting in Your promise and surrendering to Your will. Amen.

Contemplation:

Spend a few moments in silence, reflecting on the gift of the Eucharist in your life. How has receiving the Body of Christ deepened your relationship with Him? Consider how you might more fully embrace this gift and allow it to transform your heart and life.

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heart longing for direction and meaning. Guide me as I seek to understand the purpose You have for my life. Open my eyes, ears, and heart to Your will. Amen.

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:11 (NABRE)

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”

This verse reassures us that God has a plan for each of us. Even when we feel lost or uncertain, He is guiding us toward a future filled with hope and purpose.

Reflection:

Many of us struggle with the question, “What is my purpose in life?” We may feel adrift, unsure of the path we are meant to take. But Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has a specific plan for each of us. His plans are not random; they are intentional and designed for our well-being. Trusting in God’s plan requires faith, especially when we cannot see the road ahead clearly.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NABRE)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.”

These verses encourage us to place our full trust in God, even when we do not understand the circumstances. God’s guidance is perfect, and when we acknowledge Him in all areas of our lives, He promises to lead us on the right path.

Reflection:

It is easy to fall into the trap of trying to figure everything out on our own. We may rely on our wisdom, skills, or experience to determine our purpose. However, true purpose is found not in our understanding but in our relationship with God. As we submit to His will and trust Him with our whole heart, He will direct our steps and reveal His purpose for our lives.

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:10 (NABRE)

“For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.”

God created each of us uniquely, with specific talents, passions, and abilities. We are His workmanship, and our lives are meant to reflect His glory through the good works He has planned for us.

Reflection:

Understanding your purpose begins with recognizing that you are God’s creation, made for a purpose that glorifies Him. The good works mentioned in Ephesians 2:10 are not just tasks but ways in which your life can reflect God’s love and grace to others. Embrace your unique gifts and seek ways to use them for God’s glory.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for the promise of Your plans for my life. Help me to trust in Your guidance and to walk in the purpose You have set before me. Show me the good works You have prepared for me, and give me the courage to pursue them with all my heart. May my life be a reflection of Your love and grace. Amen.

Action Steps:

1. Prayerful Reflection: Spend time each day asking God to reveal His purpose for your life. Listen for His voice in Scripture, prayer, and the counsel of wise Christians.
2. Identify Your Gifts: Consider the talents and passions God has given you. How can these be used to serve others and glorify God?
3. Step Out in Faith: Begin to take small steps in the direction you feel God is leading you. Trust that He will guide you and provide the opportunities needed to fulfill His purpose for your life.

May this devotional bring you closer to understanding the unique purpose God has for your life. Trust in His timing, and know that He is working all things together for your good.

Scripture: John 12:24-26 (WEBBE)

24 Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.

Reflection:

In John 12:24-26, Jesus speaks of a profound truth hidden within the simplicity of nature—a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die in order to bear much fruit. This imagery reveals the paradox of Christian life: true life is found through surrender, and fruitfulness comes through sacrifice.

Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of this truth. His death on the cross was not the end but the beginning of abundant life for all who believe in Him. Just as the grain of wheat must die to produce a harvest, Jesus’ sacrifice opened the way for countless souls to be redeemed and brought into the kingdom of God.

This passage also challenges us personally. We are called to follow Jesus by embracing the same path of self-surrender. To love our life in this world—seeking comfort, security, and self-interest above all—leads to spiritual barrenness. But when we willingly lay down our lives, letting go of our own desires and ambitions for the sake of Christ, we discover true life that lasts eternally.

Serving Christ means walking the path He walked, a path marked by humility, obedience, and love. It may lead us through trials and challenges, but it also leads to the fullness of life in God’s presence. Jesus promises that where He is, His servant will be also. This is not only a promise of eternal life but also of His constant companionship and guidance in our daily walk.

Finally, there is the promise of honour from the Father. When we serve Christ with a heart of devotion and surrender, God Himself honours us. This honour is not of earthly fame or recognition but the deep joy and fulfillment of knowing we are beloved children of God, sharing in His work and His glory.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, teach us to surrender our lives to You fully, trusting that in losing our lives for Your sake, we will find true and eternal life. Help us to follow You faithfully, even when the path is difficult, knowing that You are with us every step of the way. May our lives bear much fruit for Your kingdom, and may we serve You with hearts that seek only to glorify Your name. Amen.

Contemplation:

Spend some time in quiet reflection, asking God to reveal any areas of your life where you may be holding on too tightly. Consider what it might look like for you to “fall to the earth” and surrender these areas to God. Trust that in letting go, God will bring about greater fruitfulness and a deeper experience of His presence.

In today’s devotional, we reflect on a powerful teaching of Jesus found in Matthew 12:46-50. These verses challenge our understanding of family and invite us to see ourselves as part of a larger, spiritual family united by faith and obedience to God’s will.

46While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

“While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'”

Redefining Family

In this passage, Jesus redefines what it means to be family. While He does not dismiss His biological family, He expands the concept to include all who follow God’s will. This teaching emphasizes that our spiritual connections, grounded in our shared commitment to God, are equally vital as our biological ties.

Spiritual Kinship

Jesus’ statement, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” is both provocative and enlightening. By pointing to His disciples and declaring them as His family, He underscores the importance of spiritual kinship. This kinship is based not on blood relations but on a common dedication to living out God’s will. In today’s devotional, we are reminded that as believers, we are united in a spiritual family that transcends traditional boundaries.

Doing God’s Will

The criterion for being part of this spiritual family is clear: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” This call to action highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our relationship with God. In today’s devotional, we are encouraged to reflect on our own lives and consider how we are living out God’s will. Are we embodying the teachings of Christ in our daily actions? Are we fostering relationships that reflect our commitment to God?

Embracing Our Spiritual Family

In today’s devotional, we are invited to embrace our spiritual family with open hearts. The church, our fellow believers, and all who seek to do God’s will are part of this family. This understanding should inspire us to support, love, and encourage one another as we journey together in faith. It reminds us that we are never alone; we have a community of brothers and sisters who share our commitment to God.

Conclusion

As we meditate on today’s devotional, let us be grateful for the spiritual family that God has given us. Let us strive to do His will, knowing that in doing so, we strengthen our bond with Him and with each other. May we always remember that our true family is not limited by earthly ties but is boundless, inclusive of all who follow Christ. Let this truth inspire us to live faithfully and to cherish the spiritual connections we have with our fellow believers.

This reflection emphasizes the theme of spiritual family and encourages readers to embrace their role in God’s family, making it suitable for a devotional context.

You may also want to read “366 Days of Compassion: One Year Catholic Devotional”.