Daily Gospel Reflection
Join the Notre Dame family of faith. Receive God’s Word and a unique reflection in your inbox each day.
November 26, 2024
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
Trust in God and be patient. That’s the challenge in today’s gospel. Reflecting on these words, two life journeys came into focus—the life with my spouse and with my faith. These paths of love and faith intersected, one leading to the other.
It was fall 1988 when my husband approached me at a college gathering with his opening line: “I know Axel Rose’ real name…” (lead singer of Guns ‘N Roses). We soon ran into each other again and talked for hours. He played a song for me called, “Walk Forever by My Side” by The Alarm and said it would be the song he and his wife would dance to at their wedding. That’s exactly what we did.
I wasn’t raised with religion in my life. We didn’t attend Mass, pray, read the Bible, or really even talk about God with regularity. But I knew a God existed, and I trusted he would grow near. I was patient, yet there was so much I didn’t understand about having faith. Today’s gospel is a comforting reminder when we feel unsure: “Do not be terrified; for such things must happen first.”
As I got to know that boy from college and his family, I was able to experience life with faith. His family welcomed me to Mass. We prayed before meals. They taught me about beautiful ways to pray, like the Rosary. We married in the Catholic church. My heart and mind opened and my spiritual journey unfolded. The lyrics to our song took on a deeper meaning—God has been walking forever by my side.
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary today, I thank God for walking with us. While writing this reflection, a quote arrived in my inbox from St. John of the Cross: “Faith and love are like the blind man’s guides. They will lead you along a path unknown to you, to the place where God is hidden.”
Prayer
Gracious Father, you are our comfort, our guide, and our shield through the turbulent tide of personal trials and humanity’s distress. When the troubles of this world rise up against us, give us firm resolve to speak your truth and share your mercy. May we faithfully cling to your wisdom, made flesh in Christ Jesus and dwelling with us in the Spirit. For you are God forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Blessed Gaetana Sterni was an Italian woman who lost nearly everyone she loved, yet she clung to her faith in God, and went on to dedicate her life to serving the homeless.
She was born in 1827 in Italy, one of six children. When she was a child, both her oldest sister and her father died in a short period of time. Then her brother left the family to pursue acting, which left the family poor.
Gaetana stood next to her mother during these difficult times, and took on extra responsibilities to help what was left of the family. Her mother was faithful, and Gaetana grew up with a strong faith that was complemented by solid religious education.
Just before she turned 16, Gaetana married a young businessman, whose previous wife had died, leaving him with three children. After only eight months of marriage, and in the middle of her first pregnancy, her husband died suddenly. When she delivered her baby, the child died after only a few days of life. She thought she would die of a broken heart, yet her grief was buoyed by a firm faith in God’s loving care.
She struggled for a few years to take care of her husband’s children, and she had significant disagreements with her in-laws, who resented the strong connection she had formed with the children. When she was 19 years old, she returned home to live with her mother, and her husband’s family took care of his children.
Even though she argued with her husband’s family, she loved his children, and advocated for their rights. Her patience and generosity eventually brought about a reconciliation with the family.
Gaetana wondered how her life would take shape, and considered marrying again. Through all of the grief and loss, she never lost a regular practice of prayer, and she began to feel a call to dedicate her life to God in a singular way. She joined a religious community of sisters, but when her mother died five months later, she had to depart in order to care for her remaining siblings.
Finally, when she turned 26 years old, Gaetana was free from family responsibilities and sought to give her life to God. She took on a role leading a homeless shelter in the city, which sheltered 115 people. This effort gathered other women, and she eventually shaped the community into a religious order—the Daughters of the Divine Will—which today has houses in Europe, Africa, and the United States.
Gaetana died in 1875 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
Blessed Gaetana Sterni, you clung to your faith through devastating loss and gave your life to serving the poor, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Bl. Gaetana Sterni is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 18, 2024.
