Daily Gospel Reflection
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March 14, 2024
Jesus said to the Jews:
“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.
But there is another who testifies on my behalf,
and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept human testimony,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
He was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John’s.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.
Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.
But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
and you do not have his word remaining in you,
because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to come to me to have life.
“I do not accept human praise;
moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.
I came in the name of my Father,
but you do not accept me;
yet if another comes in his own name,
you will accept him.
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:
the one who will accuse you is Moses,
in whom you have placed your hope.
For if you had believed Moses,
you would have believed me,
because he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe his writings,
how will you believe my words?”
Almost ten years into a career spent in public accounting and corporate finance roles, I find myself too often caught up in the unrelenting drive and ambition of professional life. Am I appreciated enough in my current role? Should I take a new job that promises more money and a more important title? Will this next promotion bring the responsibility and prestige that draws the admiration of my friends and former classmates on LinkedIn? The next rung on the career ladder often feels like the ultimate goal, the one that will lead to a life of earthly success and fulfillment.
But sitting at my office desk on a busy Thursday morning, I can hear Jesus speaking to me through his address to the Pharisees in today’s Gospel. “How can you believe, when you accept the praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?” Like the Pharisees, who prayed in public and displayed their knowledge of Scripture for all to admire, we can become more concerned with the approval of our peers than with the testimony of our Father in heaven.
It takes courage to forego earthly praise and attention. Even if we cannot name it in the heat of the moment, there is the underlying fear in our human interactions that if we do not actively pursue praise and take credit for the work, the talent, or the good deed, we will miss out on the deserved raise, promotion, or good opinion of others. Jesus is here to reassure us that we lack nothing.
During this Lenten season, let us accept Jesus’ challenge to the Pharisees as our own: to let go of our desire to impress others with our earthly accomplishments and instead seek the quiet praise of God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus: John testified to you. Your works testify to you. The Father has testified on your behalf. And Moses wrote about you. “But you do not want to come to me to have life,” you said to the people. Lord Jesus, I want to come to you. May my Lenten observance show me the way. 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!