Daily Gospel Reflection
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March 13, 2025
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”
In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds us: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” It’s a simple command, but one that carries a profound responsibility—to treat others with love, kindness, and generosity. Growing up, I heard the Golden Rule often, but during my time at Notre Dame, it has become more than just a childhood lesson; rather, it’s a daily call to action.
At first, the Golden Rule seems easy enough. But living it out requires intention: love isn’t passive; it requires our action. I’ve come to see this in small but meaningful moments—baking with the Ryan Hall community and our priest-in-residence, FJ, where hospitality became a reflection of care; classmates who stayed late to help me work through a tough concept; and professors who challenged and supported me beyond the classroom. Love isn’t always easy; usually, it’s hardest to extend when we feel wronged or afraid. Can we sacrifice for love? These are the moments when it matters most and when it is most difficult to hold onto Jesus’ message.
Both the joyful and the difficult moments have shaped my understanding of what it truly means to show up for others with love and kindness and to follow the Golden Rule. At Notre Dame, gold is everywhere: the Golden Dome, the helmets on game day, and the degree I’ll soon hold. But beyond its physical presence, it’s a reminder of something greater: a call to live generously, serve with love, and be a force for good in the world.
Prayer
Lord, your son taught us that those who ask, receive; that those who seek, find; and that those who knock, have the door opened for them. May we pray with such believing faith, trusting in your divine providence, so that we may receive the gifts you wish to give to us as we faithfully seek to follow your son. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Euphrasia of Constantinople was an early Christian saint who lived in the fourth century, in the capital city of Constantinople. Various legends about her life relate slightly different stories about her origins, but all are agreed that she was a young noblewoman who chose serving God over marriage.
Euphrasia is believed to have been born around the year 380 in Constantinople. Her father was a member of the Emperor Theodosius I's imperial court. After her father died, Euphrasia and her mother retreated to Egypt and lived in a monastery with other women there.
At the tender age of seven, Euphrasia begged to take monastic vows and join the monastery as a nun. She showed a devotion to Christ and a desire to serve him far beyond her years. Accounts differ of which emperor wanted Euphrasia to marry, and whether it was before or after she entered the monastery. Regardless, the emperor commanded her to marry a certain wealthy senator. Euphrasia refused, gave up all her parents' property she had inherited upon the death of her mother.
The image featured today shows Euphrasia lifting heavy stones, which her abbess often assigned her for a penance, as manual labor was often used in monastic communities as a way to overcome temptations. Euphrasia died in the monastery at the age of thirty in 410.
St. Euphrasia of Constantinople, who as a young girl devoted her life entirely to God—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Euphrasia of Constantinople is in the public domain. Last accessed February 4, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
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