Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 17, 2021
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
‘Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’
“If you forgive others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Jesus wastes no time in this Gospel—he cuts to the chase and issues a stark challenge to his followers—so let’s follow his lead and start with the tough parts: “Thy will be done,” and, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
“Thy will be done”: There is no riddle here, and no other way out of it. We simply have to accept through faith that God has a plan for each and every one of us. When times are challenging and we want our own way, God will meet our prayers with a clear answer. Sometimes God’s response matches our will perfectly, and sometimes, not so much. But in every case, God’s will is being done. Trust God.
Forgiveness: We must embrace this tall order. Practically speaking, we know that forgiveness brings peace of mind, serenity, calmness, and better health. Holding grudges and not forgiving others is unhealthy and unwise. God forgives. Trust God.
As one of 11 children I clearly remember learning our daily prayers from our parents. How lucky my brothers and sisters and I were to have such loving parents (and grandparents) who taught us not only our prayers but passed on their Catholic faith to us. They followed the Lord’s teaching and guidance.
As a family, we prayed before and after meals, and we offered nighttime prayers: the Our Father, Hail Mary, Prayer to Our Guardian Angel, Infant Jesus Novena Prayer, and the Act of Contrition. These nighttime prayers were typically recited while we were on our knees. During our mother’s final days we all gathered around her and said nighttime prayers in our familiar DeTrempe chant.
My wife and I have carried on this daily prayer routine with our children and we trust they will do the same with their children someday.
Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us how to pray.
Prayer
Lord, your Son taught us to call out to you as our Father. Every time we pray as he taught us, may we realize ever more deeply our dignity as your children, and also the fellowship we share as brothers and sisters in Christ. United ever more closely with each other and with you, may we become a sacrament of communion in our alienated world. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Hervé was the son of a traveling bard, a member of the court of one of the Frankish kings. Hervé was born blind, in the early sixth century. Even though he lacked sight, Hervé lived with great joy. He took after his father and began to sing as a bard and troubadour. He lived near the French city of Plouvien as a hermit with his disciple and companion, Guiharan.
Hervé became famous for his power to cure animals—wild and tame—and he tamed a wolf that was prowling the surrounding countryside. Hervé is often shown with his wolf, as legend has it the beast accompanied him everywhere.
Once, Hervé's wolf devoured the ox that Hervé kept as a draft animal. The pious Hervé began to eloquently preach a sermon, begging the wolf to aid him in caring for the crops. From that day forward, the wolf took over for the ox in pulling the plow for Hervé. Hervé's community of disciples grew, and a peaceful community of poet-hermits tended their land outside Plouvien until Hervé died in 556 AD.
St. Hervé, who, even though blind, saw God's love in all creatures—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Hervé is available for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Last accessed March 6, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
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