Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 8, 2025
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.”
Last May, I attended the ordination of a man from my parish. He was one of five other men who felt the call to the priesthood and to serve Christ’s flock. It was the largest class of priests to be ordained in my diocese in 60 years. So many people attended—the seating capacity was roughly 3200, and it was filled with attendees, even lined up along the walls and in the vestibule.
During the distribution of Holy Communion, among all the people, the man from my parish, now a priest, stood there distributing the Body and Blood of our Lord. A single tear rolled down his cheek. That tear quickly multiplied until he was practically weeping. It was a surreal moment, not just for him, but for all those around, who witnessed years of studying and hard work as a seminarian come to fruition.
This moment made me reflect on the happiness that one’s true vocation can bring. I do not doubt that he also experienced anxiety about serving in his ministry, but he knew that the Lord had called him to this and wanted him there. What a gift!
Despite the Lord’s beckoning, many people still choose to shy away from what the Lord may be calling them to do and instead ignore the path that Christ has paved for them. At times, his will may appear scary, uncomfortable, or unforeseen, but we can take refuge in knowing that Christ’s will is far greater than our own. His path leads to treasures that pale in comparison to our earthly desires and ultimately illuminates a darkened world with Christ’s saving light, allowing us to bring it to the “harvest that is abundant.”
While it may be disheartening to see a general decline in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life, we must remain steadfast in our faith, prayers, and most importantly, the cross. The cross remains our only hope in this time of uncertainty.
Our Lady, Mother of Vocations, Pray For Us!
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
Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple from the early Church, well-known in Scripture for being “co-workers in Christ” with St. Paul, even allowing their home to be used as a local church.
Associating with Paul, the couple traveled with him throughout the region, living in Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome. Paul used their home as a headquarters during his journeys, and they would open their house as a gathering place for the Church wherever they lived. At one point, Paul says, they “risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I am grateful but also all the churches of the Gentiles” (Rom 16:4).
Aquila was a tent-maker, a trade he shared with Paul. We do not know if Paul brought them to faith in Christ, or if they were already Christians when they met Paul. It is certain, however, that they were pillars of the early Church. They instructed others in the faith and their hospitality gave early Christians a place to break bread together and remember Jesus’ words and deeds.
The relics of Sts. Priscilla and Aquila rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
Sts. Priscilla and Aquila, you worked with Paul and gave a home to the early Church—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Sts. Priscilla and Aquila is available for use under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Last accessed March 19, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
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