Daily Gospel Reflection
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March 14, 2019
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.”
I spent much of the first year after the birth of our twins asking for help. My husband and I welcomed the twins as the fourth and fifth sons in our family—and our oldest boy was only six years old at the time. There was so much to do! I called multiple friends to help get our oldest sons back and forth from their different schools. I called on another friend when both twins were awake and offered her a “baby holding opportunity.” Nieces from out-of-state visited to help. I called them back to come again. Friends popped in. I greeted them by showing them the laundry and asking for help. I called others to come and sit with sleeping babies while I ran out for errands. I called my next-door neighbor for help so often I was surprised she still answered her phone calls from me.
In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you.” It’s a curious request from a loving God who already knows exactly what we need. Yet, as I think about that challenging and demanding time for our young family, I realize being forced to push away my pride and self-reliance made room for a shower of blessings from friends, family and our church community. And I see how that same humility enhances our relationship with God. When we ask for God’s help, we allow his love to shine forth.
Just the other night, with our now-grown boys visiting, we ran out of eggs to make a traditional family treat. I called that same neighbor and left a message asking for two eggs. In a minute, our doorbell rang. Her husband stood there, holding a carton with four eggs inside—more than enough. I smiled with gratitude.
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
As queen, Matilda paid special attention to the poor of the kingdom—her subjects knew her more as a loving mother than as a ruler.
She was born in 895 in Germany to a royal family. She was raised by her grandmother, who was the abbess of a convent, and ensured that Matilda was well-educated and faithful in her prayer and devotion. Matilda married Henry, who ascended to the German throne shortly after they had their first child together. She was liberal in her charity, which never bothered Henry, who had confidence in her judgment and goodness.
Henry and Matilda shared five children, one of whom, Bruno, is also known as a saint. Another, Otto, became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Henry spent much time at war, but unified the German people into one kingdom.
After 23 years of marriage, Henry died suddenly, and Matilda was left a widow. Her son, Otto, was elected to the throne, which began a conflict with a brother. The two reconciled, but neither had Henry’s patience with Matilda’s generosity, and they accused her of squandering wealth.
She was exiled for a time, but eventually returned to the royal household and was reconciled with her son, Otto. When he was crowned emperor, he left her in charge of the kingdom, and she established three convents and a monastery. She spent her old age at the convent where she was raised.
St. Matilda’s relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame's campus, and she is also depicted in the stained glass windows of the Basilica. Our featured image of a larger window Matilda holds a scepter and coins as a sign of her generosity to the poor. A second window, shown above, depicts Matilda in prayer with her two sons conspiring in envy behind her. St. Matilda is the patron saint of widows and a patron saint and intercessor for parents who have conflicts with their grown children.
St. Matilda, patron saint of widows and kind queen who cared for the poor despite ridicule from your own children—pray for us!