Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 22, 2025
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.”
“There’s only so much love one person can give.” At least that’s what I used to think and worry about before I grew into full fatherhood. When my son was born in 2011, it was an overwhelming rush of joy and a depth of love that I had never experienced: the love of one literally created in love, from my very self. Suddenly, Jesus’ words that he loves us felt relatable on a whole new level.
This feeling was shaken when my wife and I learned another child was on the way. Of course, part of me was excited, but there was a glaring problem (or so I thought)—my heart was already full of love. How would I have any more to give to another child?
The great news is that love multiplies exponentially the more people are given to us to love. My second son and subsequently third-born daughter know no limit to the love of our hearts. While this is undoubtedly a great reality for them, it was a relieving revelation for me. It also helped me further grasp the belief that God loves us all equally and unconditionally.
Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
The love my wife and I have for our children gives us joy and has truly made our lives complete. What more, even more powerful joy is knowing that our God loves us in such an infinite and personal way.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, may everything we do this day honor the profound depth of your love for us. May our gratitude show itself in fruits of justice, love, and peace for each person we meet and for those throughout the world who continue to suffer. Thank you for your love. Amen!
Saint of the Day
Nearly every stage of her life was marked by suffering and loss, but Rita never lost her faith and trust in God. Because of this faithfulness, she is the patron saint of desperate causes.
Rita was born to aged parents in 1381 in Italy. She was a pious child and wanted to devote herself to a religious life, but her parents arranged a marriage for her. She obeyed, but suffered greatly because her husband was abusive.
She bore twins, and the two boys also suffered under her husband until he was killed by a different family in an honor killing. After her two sons died of illness, Rita applied to enter a convent.
Because some of the sisters in the convent were related to the family that killed her husband, she was denied entry. She persisted in asking to join the community, however, and eventually was accepted.
As a religious, she gave all of her energies to devotional practices and prayer. From her childhood, Rita was devoted to the passion and suffering of Jesus. She received a special form of the stigmata when a wound opened on her forehead similar to what would have resulted from the crown of thorns Jesus wore. The wound caused her to be secluded, and she suffered from it for 15 years until her death. The last four years of her life were marked by illness, and she died on this date in 1457.
In modern times, her body was discovered to have remained incorrupt, and some of her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. Her bust, pictured here, stands in the offices of Campus Ministry for the University.
St. Rita, you who are the patron saint of the impossible and the advocate of desperate causes—pray for us!
