Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 4, 2021
As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said,
“How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David?
David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said:
The Lord said to my lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
until I place your enemies under your feet.’
David himself calls him ‘lord’;
so how is he his son?”
The great crowd heard this with delight.
Have you ever read through a Scripture passage and then wondered, “What did I just read?” Perhaps today was one of those days. In this short but complex Gospel passage, Jesus asks the crowd a question, quotes from a psalm, and then asks a follow-up question. What are we to make of this?
Through posing questions to the crowd in the temple, Jesus was inviting reflection on who he was. The questions are meant to get the crowd thinking. Is Jesus a political messiah, or is he the Lord? In quoting Psalm 110, which refers to David, Jesus is asking if he is a king like David was, or if he is something more.
It’s a question the crowd was invited to consider, and one well worth our consideration today. Who do we believe Jesus to be? Is he one who comes with earthly power and authority, like David did? Or is Jesus the Lord, the one sent by God to become one with us, to show us the way to power through mercy, compassion, and forgiveness? We only hear a small measure of the Gospel today, but we have a wealth of teachings and stories about who Jesus was and is for us.
The last line of this passage offers much to think about, too. “And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.” I’m not sure how often I’ve heard the Scriptures with “delight,” especially today’s passage. How about you? How might we read and hear God’s word with delight today, and each day?
Prayer
Dear Lord, as we go about our homes and work, let us bring your presence with us. Let us speak your peace, your grace, your mercy, and your perfect order to all we meet. Give us a fresh supply of strength to do our work. May even our smallest accomplishments bring you glory. When we are confused, guide us. When we are burned out, infuse us with the light of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Petroc is a British saint from the early sixth century, who was a foundational figure in British monasticism. Petroc was born the son of a Welsh king. Petroc was sent to Ireland for his education, where he studied with the monastic communities there.
Once he had finished his studies, Petroc did not return to his princely life in Wales but went on pilgrimage to Rome.
Petroc's humility was legendary. A famous legend of Petroc tells the story of his eventful return to England from Rome. As he and his companions landed on the beach, torrents of rain began to fall. Petroc assured his companions that the rain would soon cease. The rain continued for several more days, without abating in ferocity. In penance, Petroc set off on another pilgrimage. According to legend, he traveled as far as India.
After his return, he shut himself up in a monastery and chose the life of a hermit. Monks clamored for Petroc to found monastic communities throughout England, and so Petroc began his career of founding monastic communities throughout Wales, Britain, and his work in the south of England earned him the patronage of the region.
Petroc's humility and kindness were manifest in his relations with animals as well as people. He is often shown with either a stag or a wolf, as various legends credit him with taming both animals. Petroc is also a patron saint of Devon and Cornwall.
St. Petroc, builder of the Church and builder of churches in Britain—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Petroc is in the public domain. Last accessed March 18, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
