Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 26, 2026
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and
“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
“How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”
For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Reflection
Today, Jesus speaks directly to the danger of division: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” These words feel especially relevant in a world where division seems unavoidable. It’s hard to turn on the news without encountering controversy, disagreement, or conflict. Division has become so normalized that we almost expect it.
On a lighter note, I see this play out in my own life through college football. Growing up in a large Texas A&M football family, the past two Notre Dame football seasons have created a friendly rivalry. We see the flags, jerseys, and hats as clear signs of a “house divided.” And yet, at the end of the day, it’s still a house united. We cheer passionately, we disagree loudly, but we remain rooted in love and respect for one another. In many ways, it’s a reminder that disagreement does not have to mean disconnection.
Jesus challenges the scribes because they allow division and suspicion to cloud their ability to see goodness and truth. Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly warned against this same temptation in our world today. Especially the tendency to refuse respectful dialogue. Pope Leo has emphasized that unity does not require uniformity, but it does require humility, listening, and openness to the Spirit.
Jesus calls us today to be courageous enough to enter uncomfortable conversations while remaining grounded in love. Whether in society, the church, or even college football rivalries, we can only truly stand when we choose unity over division and love over fear. I think that’s a win we can all agree on… no matter which team we cheer for!
Prayer
Lord, Guiding Light, You teach us to call you alone our Teacher, our Parent, our Lord. Help us to trust your instruction and guiding graces in our lives, more unreservedly each day. We know too that you often mediate your graces through others, And have entrusted to us your mission to teach, to parent, to steward. Grant us the grace to respond with generosity and compassion, and especially as we begin Catholic Schools Week, bless all teachers whom you have called to pass on the light of knowledge and faith to our young. We ask this through Christ, our Lord and Teacher. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Sts. Timothy and Titus were two of St. Paul’s closest associates—he called them his “sons” in Christ—and they helped him establish and encourage new Christian communities in the early Church.
Timothy was born and raised in Galatia, which is in modern-day Turkey, and his Jewish mother embraced faith in Jesus. Timothy was raised with a firm education in Scripture, and when Paul visited his town to preach, the elders recommended Timothy to him. Paul had already dispatched his companion Barnabas on a mission and needed a helper, so he adopted the young Timothy as his assistant.
Timothy accompanied Paul in his travels and went on independent trips to offer support to communities Paul had been in touch with. He became Paul’s closest friend and most faithful follower— he was imprisoned with Paul for two years and Paul entrusted him with his most important tasks.
Paul entrusted the Christian community in Ephesus to Timothy, naming him their first bishop. The Church has preserved two of the letters Paul wrote to Timothy as part of the New Testament. Timothy was martyred around the year 97 for opposing a ritual ceremony in honor of a pagan god. The townspeople paraded around with clubs during the rite, and when Timothy confronted them, they killed him.
Titus was born a Gentile and was converted by Paul, and went on to serve as Paul’s secretary. Like Timothy, Paul sent Titus out to various Christian communities to encourage and support them. Paul eventually established Titus as bishop of Crete, which was a notoriously difficult community, and one of his letters to Titus is preserved in the New Testament. Titus spent most of his life in Crete—he died there at the age of 94.
Relics of both Timothy and Titus rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and the statue of Timothy pictured here stands above an entrance to Howard Hall on campus.
Sts. Timothy and Titus, Paul’s faithful helpers who encouraged growth in the early Church—pray for us!