Daily Gospel Reflection
Join the Notre Dame family of faith. Receive God’s Word and a unique reflection in your inbox each day.
August 27, 2025
Jesus said,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside,
but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.
Even so, on the outside you appear righteous,
but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You build the tombs of the prophets
and adorn the memorials of the righteous,
and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors,
we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
Thus you bear witness against yourselves
that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;
now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”
Upon my arrival home from working at ND Vision—a 5-day summer experience for high school students focused on discovering and renewing God’s call in their lives—I was set on establishing good habits. Thus, I began getting up to attend daily Mass, spending 15 minutes in prayer after, and then heading to the gym from church.
As you can imagine, the first week was fantastic—as we know good habits lead to virtue, and virtue begets joy. However, as the weeks drew on, I found myself going through the motions. I would pray for the same things, such as patience with my parents, and offer up a few special intentions. Or I would habitually thank Jesus for the opportunity to receive him after Communion and pray the same words of gratitude.
Jesus’ statement from today’s gospel that, “Outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing”, shocked me into realizing my complacency. Establishing positive daily habits is important, but this is merely the foundation. Sainthood comes from striving daily for holiness in everything we do, and more importantly, in how we go about doing those things. It is not enough for me to simply go to Mass and spend time in silence; I must strive to do it with intention, with zeal, and with my whole being each day. I must take Jesus home with me and allow my real reception of him into my very self to affect the way I think, the words I say, and the way I treat others.
This passage today—and all of Jesus’ “woes” to the scribes and Pharisees—must remind us that the path to sainthood is a daily one. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, and we must give our everything to glorify the Lord each day.
Prayer
Lord God, your Son walked among us flawed human beings. He loved the poor, the sick, and the widowed. He delighted in little children. He sat at table with men and women who were sinners and called them to new life. Only hypocrisy raised anger in Jesus. Open our eyes and hearts to see ourselves as we are and to cast ourselves upon your mercy rather than to cover our shame by lying to ourselves and to those around us. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Monica was, above all, a stubborn mother.
She was married at a young age to an adulterous government official with a violent temper. Years of Monica’s patience and prayer converted him to Christianity just before he died. She prayed unceasingly for her children as well, especially for her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine. Priests learned to avoid her because of her persistence in asking for prayers for him.
She followed Augustine as he pursued studies in Carthage and Rome, praying at shrines and chapels the whole way. They both finally arrived at Milan, where they met St. Ambrose. It was under Ambrose’s guidance that Augustine fulfilled his potential and became one of the most brilliant writers and thinkers the Church has ever known. After 17 years of constant prayer, Monica saw her son baptized when he was 32; St. Augustine’s feast day is tomorrow.
St. Monica is the patron saint of alcoholics, victims of abuse and adultery, widows, and mothers facing family difficulties. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. Her story and image are used by high school students who come to campus for a summer conference with the Notre Dame Vision program.
St. Monica, your prayer brought your family to Christ, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Monica is an illustration by Julie Lonneman, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of her art. Used with permission.