Daily Gospel Reflection
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October 16, 2021
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.
“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”
I have been a third-grade teacher at a Catholic school for six years. To have a successful day with 27 eight-year-olds, I have to do a lot of planning. When today’s gospel says, “do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say,” it is not surprising that my initial reaction is to think Christ isn’t talking to teachers.
For every day of the school year, I must plan instruction, create activities to engage students, and monitor their understanding. In addition, we celebrate birthdays, holidays, and learn about each other to grow as a community. All of this takes deliberate thought and preparation.
At the same time, I recognize there are situations that I cannot anticipate—like how to respond to a tragedy or provide an answer to a difficult personal question. In these moments, I often doubt if my words and actions are beneficial.
On second consideration, maybe Jesus’ words from this gospel do include teachers.
Jesus says, “do not worry” because as long as we acknowledge God, he will acknowledge us. However, the nearly involuntary urge as a teacher to try to plan for everything is strong. I have to remind myself that the driving force behind my actions—my centeredness on God and trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance—is the most important thing I can incorporate into my lesson plan.
Today’s psalm reads, “The Lord remembers his covenant forever.” This sacred promise not only reminds us of God’s unconditional love for his people but also invites us to acknowledge our role in our relationship with him. Tying in beautifully with today’s gospel, it invites us to ask: “What in my life acknowledges God? What in my life denies God?”
Knowing that God fully loves and guides us, may we continue to center ourselves on Christ and trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance when we face challenges both in and out of the classroom.
Prayer
Lord God, when we are in trouble and are without words, and feel our faith trembling under the pressure of those who would lead us away from you, send your Spirit to build up our faith and to give us the words to say and actions to take. We pray through Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and that same Spirit. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Hedwig was a strong mother and wife, and is honored for the faith that she brought to her husband and the people that they governed.
She was born in Bavaria in 1174, and was aunt to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. As a girl, she was placed in a monastery for her education, and when she was 12, she was given to marriage to a duke named Henry. Together, they had seven children.
When her husband succeeded his father, and gained the governance of his region, Hedwig encouraged him to establish a monastery of Cistercian nuns. Together, they founded more monasteries, which helped develop the faith among their people, and also preserved and enhanced their culture. Both Henry and Hedwig founded hospitals, which they took personal interest in.
As their children matured, they gave the couple much trouble. Several bickered bitterly over land rights, even battling one another. Hedwig tried to intervene, but eventually resigned herself and moved to one of the monasteries she had founded. There, she spent her time in the prayer and manual labor of the community, and was known for her austerities that helped her sharpen her will. For example, she would often travel to nearby villages for Mass without wearing shoes, in any kind of weather.
She assisted her husband, urging peace at every opportunity. He fought several major battles, and at one point, Hedwig had to ransom him when he was captured. When Henry died, she permanently joined one of her convents that was led by her daughter, and gave away all of her possessions to the poor.
Even when she was alive, St. Hedwig was given the gift of miracles, and she healed a nun who was blind by making the sign of the cross upon her. Several other miraculous cures are attributed to her. She died on this date in 1243, and is patron saint of brides. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Hedwig, you are the patron saint of brides who gave away all of your possessions to the poor—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Hedwig is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 3, 2024.