Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 19, 2023
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
At first read, it may seem that pursuing knowledge is at odds with developing a personal relationship with God. However, coming to know the Lord intellectually can draw us closer to him. The biggest challenge is the temptation to give in to intellectual pride as if our greater knowledge of the Lord reflects some greater worth.
When we have so much head knowledge of the Lord, we may also feel like we don’t need the Lord to reveal the truth to us in our hearts; we can fall into the trap that we can seek the truth by ourselves. The “wise and learned” thus become entangled in the lie of self-sufficiency.
On the other hand, the “childlike” become a model of what it should look like to come to know the Lord. Little children do not seek the truth for prestige or gain but only receive whatever their Father gives them. They are content not knowing everything; they long to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive all that he desires to reveal to them. They don’t grasp for more knowledge. They remain grateful for the knowledge they receive and humbly hope for more.
Sure, it may be good to read about God and to know a lot, but Jesus reminds us that it is infinitely better for us to sit at his feet, waiting for him to reveal the truth he has for us today.
Jesus, give us the grace to sit at your feet like little children. Help us to hear your voice when you speak the truth of who you are, and give us the grace to receive it in gratitude and humility.
Prayer
Loving God, you have called us by name to continue Christ’s mission of reconciliation and healing. Give us patience in times of challenge, hope in places of suffering. May we recognize your kingdom in our midst, near to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day

St. Justina and St. Ruffina were sisters who lived in late third-century Spain. They made their living by selling pottery, a trade they learned from their parents.
One day, a wealthy customer came in and made a generous offer for much of their earthenware. When they asked what his intention was, he told them that the pieces were to be used in pagan rituals. The sisters smashed all the pottery so that they would have no part in sacrificing to idols.
They were arrested for being Christians and for obstructing sacrifices to the gods. They boldly proclaimed their faith in Christ and were tortured and killed. During their torments, an idol was placed nearby with a bowl of incense—if they simply burned some incense to the idol, they would be released, but they refused.
It is possible that Justina was a male named Justus—the historical record is unclear. The relics of both St. Justina and St. Justus rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and the image of Justina and her sister, Ruffina, is used here with permission from Catholic.org.
St. Justina, you were tortured and killed for refusing to associate your livelihood with sin—pray for us!