Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 2, 2026
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
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.
On July 2, 1863, Fr. William Corby, C.S.C., offered Absolution Under Fire (the title of Paul Wood’s painting) to all of the troops during the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg. In the words of Fr. Corby, “That general absolution was intended for all—in quantum possum—not only for our brigade, but for all, North or South, who were susceptible of it and who were about to appear before their Judge.” Survivors who witnessed this powerful moment of prayer were struck with awe and glorified God, so much so that it has been memorialized on Notre Dame’s campus as well as the fields of Gettysburg.
In today’s gospel, Jesus offers absolution to the person suffering from paralysis. This spiritual healing stands as the objective of Christ’s mission—to reconcile humanity to God. St. Paul echoes this focus on reconciliation, “(A)ll this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation…entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:18-19)
Jesus commissions his disciples to convey this message of reconciliation, to be agents of healing, to be peacemakers committed to building up the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Though only priests can offer absolution, all of us can bring reconciliation to those in our homes, churches, schools, workplaces, and communities.
Inspired by Fr. Corby’s example, which took place during one of the darkest moments of America’s history, let us speak words of reconciliation on the battlefields of today, create civil discourse in places of discord, and repair relationships between and among people and God, seeking what unites rather than what divides.
Reconciliation carries immense power. It heals, evokes awe, glorifies God, and is the heart of our ministry as Christians.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you know that at times we can feel paralyzed by our own evil thoughts or from the fear, anxiety, or shame that comes from our own sinfulness. Help us, Jesus, to rise and walk away from the sins that paralyze us. Give us the strength and courage to walk away from any evil thought or habit that we harbor this day. Help us know that you have given authority to forgive sins because you desire our healing even more than we desire it ourselves. May we always reverence you with awe and admiration for all you have done for us. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Pierre of Luxembourg was born in 1369 to a noble French family. Before he had turned five, Pierre had lost both of his parents. Consequently, his aunt, a wealthy countess, raised him in Paris.
Pierre was the second eldest child of a family of six, and he felt a deep sense of responsibility for his siblings. In 1381, Pierre turned himself in to the English in exchange for the freedom of his brother, who was being held hostage. The British court was astonished by the self-giving love of this brother. King Richard II offered Pierre a place of honor in his court. But Pierre refused, as he was studying to become a priest.
Pierre became a canon for two of the most important churches in France. In 1384, he was elected a canon of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, and then, two years later, he was appointed a canon for Notre Dame de Chartres. These responsibilities prepared him for his next ecclesial role as bishop.
Pierre lived in France during the turbulent years of the Western Schism, during which France supported the antipope. Pierre was appointed the Bishop of Metz by the Antipope Clement VII. Reportedly, Pierre rode into his new see on a mule, barefoot, a sign of great humility and poverty. The townspeople of Metz loved their humble, holy bishop greatly.
Pierre attempted multiple times to resolve the Western Schism, as he was a bishop who had great influence over Antipope Clement. He was invited to join the antipapal court at Avignon, where he died in 1387, of illness, many say was a result of the severe penances he placed upon himself. He was only seventeen years old.
As in his life, the Western Schism interrupted Pierre's story after his death. His beatification process was begun and aborted many times. Until, finally, well after the resolution of the Western Schism, Pope Clement VII beatified Pierre in 1527.
Blessed Pierre of Luxembourg, beloved Bishop of Metz—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Bl. Pierre of Luxembourg is in the public domain. Last accessed March 19, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
