Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 5, 2022
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said,
“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
I grew up with a mother who was a nurse. I learned, along with my nine siblings and father, that she always lived out the vocation of a nurse even when she was home interacting as a mother, wife, or friend.
My mother often took a few of her children (and later grandchildren) to “make the rounds,” as she called it. She would regularly check up on neighbors who needed support like rides to appointments, medical supplies, help taking medications, or sometimes a ride to an empty church to say some prayers.
Today’s gospel has three examples that remind me of the vital work of caregivers. Jesus is caring for an outcast by performing a miracle, going out to those who need love the most.
Next, Jesus continues to teach the gospel and cure the sick through empathy and caring. He isn’t afraid to become entangled in their stories to understand their feelings.
His final act of compassion is caring for those believers through food and nourishment. A caregiver always takes care of the deeper needs but also the everyday ones too.
My heart is full of admiration and love for all that take an oath to care for those in need, first and foremost, before other personal commitments. These acts of kindness can be seen daily by those who care for the sick and the most vulnerable. And thank you to my mother, who showed us what it looked like to see Jesus in action.
Prayer
Lord, forgive us for the times we think that you are not concerned about us or that you have forgotten us. The Gospel today reminds us that your heart was moved with pity for the crowds. In the same way your heart is always attentive to our needs. Thank you for being a shepherd to us. Help us, O Lord, to truly live the vocation that you call us to. Help us to know that all of us, because we are baptized, are called to be shepherds to your people. Thank you for this great privilege. We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
When she was born and baptized in 1271, Elizabeth of Portugal was named after her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and she grew up to emulate her aunt in holiness.
As a child, Elizabeth tried to imitate the virtue she saw in other people. She was known for her prayerfulness, obedience, and service to others.
As a young girl, she was married to the king of Portugal. The king did not match her piety with his own lifestyle, but allowed her whatever freedom she wanted to practice her faith. She consistently prayed at several points during her day, and attended Mass every morning. She was modest in the food she ate and the clothes she wore, and dedicated her life to serving God.
She was especially known for her service to the poor. She ordered people in her kingdom to give food and shelter to anyone they found traveling or living on the road. She, herself, would seek out people living in poverty and would help them in whatever way she could. She gave dowries to poor girls and established a hospital and orphanage. She also founded a home where women could escape exploitation and begin a new life.
Her husband was a considerate and generous ruler, but his personal life was a mess—he was selfish and unfaithful, which caused great scandal. Elizabeth devoted her energy to their two children.
Elizabeth was known as the “peacemaker” because at several points in her life, she brought about reconciliation between men who were competing for power, even between her husband and her son when he had grown. She is known to have averted several wars.
When her husband got sick, she cared for him night and day and helped him die a holy death. Then she went on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and spent the rest of her life living near a convent that she founded. She followed the way of St. Francis and lived with great simplicity.
Elizabeth died while traveling to visit rulers in an effort to urge reconciliation. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal, you were the quintessential peacemaker who averted wars with your faithfulness—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Elizabeth of Portugal is in the public domain. Last accessed March 19, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
