Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 18, 2026
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
In today’s world, many experience a serious lack of peace and quiet. The world seems to be crying out for inclusion and gentleness. Yet I have no further to look than Jesus’ example, reflected in the people closest to me, to find a way forward.
My father was a teacher at a special education school, and my mother works tirelessly at our local parish. My brother, in turn, helps people learn language and cultural skills to cross barriers from Japan to the United States. I find their work incredible. However, their quiet witness never calls attention to itself.
The University of Notre Dame and the Holy Cross Community are also replete with examples of quiet service. Saint André of Montreal was officially working as a porter and doing laundry, whilst praying for healing miracles. Father Hesburgh was never too busy leading the Catholic church at the national and community level to have a chat in his office with a student, and I know he devoted special care to the young women that he welcomed to campus (including my own darling friends).
My incredible rectors, Candace Carson Geurtz and Mimi Beck, helped me navigate hard times with love and resilience. Sister Mary Patricia Plumb and Sister Mary Glavin at my high school helped me to see that I could apply to Notre Dame. Even the students ahead of me welcomed me to pray at the Grotto to help me discern that yes, I absolutely needed to attend Our Lady’s University!
Let us emulate the call of Jesus to move through the world with gentle, inclusive kindness. Just as Simon Peter’s mother-in-law jumped up to serve and Mary Our Mother made sure everyone had a chance to enjoy the wedding feast, let us serve every day with quiet perseverance and love.
Prayer
Merciful Father, you sent your Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with the fire of your grace and mercy. Help us to nurture a spirit of charity and forgiveness towards those who have trespassed against us. May we always find in you the courage and humility to raise up—and not condemn—our fellow sinners as we strive to follow the example of your Son. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Camillus de Lellis was a gambling soldier who lost everything before he decided to dedicate his life to caring for the sick.
He was born in Italy in 1550 and grew to be a large man—he stood six and a half feet tall. When he turned 17, his father allowed him to accompany him to fight with the Venetians against the Turks.
While in battle, Camillus contracted a disease in his leg that would trouble him all his life. He was admitted to a hospital, both as a patient and to work there as a staff member, but he caused a lot of trouble and disturbances and was released. He returned to the war and lived the life of a soldier.
Among his vices was gambling. He was addicted to games of chance and was always in a state of need because he lost money. By the time he was 24, he had lost everything—his money, his equipment as a soldier, even the clothes off his back and was living on the streets.
At one point earlier in his life, when he was filled with remorse for some mistake, he made a vow to join the Franciscans. He went to them and found employment helping them to construct a building. A Franciscan brother had a conversation with him about the course of his life, and he was struck with a firm commitment to change. He was moved to tears and prayed to God for mercy. From that time on, he lived a life of penance.
He tried to join the Franciscans, but they would not accept him because of his diseased leg. He returned to the hospital where he had helped people before and dedicated himself to serving the sick. Over time, he was given responsibility for the whole hospital.
At the time, hospitals were far from being top-of-the-line facilities. There was little that medicine could offer the sick, and not many people wanted to be in contact with people who were ill. Staff were difficult to find, and many times, even criminals were hired to perform basic services. Camillus wanted to staff his hospital with people who could devote themselves to serving the sick out of love.
He gathered several followers and made a fresh start by establishing his own hospital. These men cared for the sick in every way—making their beds, caring for wounds, helping them die a holy death. They began to focus on caring for those suffering from the plague, prisoners, and victims of war. A number of his followers died from diseases that they were treating in others.
To serve the spiritual needs of patients, Camillus was ordained a priest. Throughout his life, he suffered from many physical problems. His leg never healed, and he developed a hernia. One of his feet developed sores, which caused great pain. For a long time before his death, his digestive tract fell into disorder—he could not retain food. Through all of this, though, he always deferred care, instructing people to care for others instead. When he could not walk on his own, he would crawl through the hospital to check on other people and offer them whatever he could.
By the time of his death, Camillus had established eight hospitals and 15 communities of brothers and priests. His holiness became known through his gifts of prophecy and healing. He died at the age of 64 and was named the patron saint of the sick and of nurses. His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Camillus de Lellis, the gambling soldier who became the patron saint of the sick and of nurses—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Camillus de Lellis is in the public domain. Last accessed March 20, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
