Daily Gospel Reflection

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October 30, 2024

Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lk 13:22-30
Listen to the Audio Version

Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”

Reflection

Rachel (Ganson) West ’17
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The times in my life when I had to truly strive for something often served as inflection points for me: getting into Notre Dame, pursuing a public interest career after graduating unemployed (twice!), and navigating a long-term, long-distance relationship with my now-husband. These are a few instances when obstacles presented a choice: walk away or keep the faith–and strive.

It makes sense to me that the words “strive” and “strife” share Old French origins, as adversity seems a necessary condition to striving. I also believe what we strive toward ultimately reflects our dearest-held goals and values, including our relationship with God.

God knows our strife will be great and heavy at times. Our friends, our family, our community—we have all endured suffering that threatened to consume us. We have lost jobs. We have known hunger. We have battled addictions. We have fought diseases. We have survived violence. We have grieved spouses, parents, and children. And God promises that we will be rewarded for the faith we keep while we carry these crosses.

We will be rewarded for sharing with those in need. For embracing the lonely. For showing kindness and compassion to the abused and neglected. For comforting those who mourn. For, in the face of our personal strife, loving God and loving our neighbor. It is sometimes the hardest to show love to others in the face of our own suffering—but, after all, is that not the example Christ gave us in dying on the cross for our sins?

Lord, I pray that our community loves each other in our strife and aids each other in our striving, that in death, we may be known by the master of the house and welcomed to the table in the kingdom of God.

Prayer

Members of the Holy Cross Novitiate

Gracious Lord, we strive to do your will, although we often stumble and fail in our efforts. Help us in our weakness to know the path we should walk, and help us in our journey to find the narrow gate. Grant us, in your great love, the strength to enter into your kingdom where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Marcellus

St. Marcellus was a soldier in the Roman army who died for the belief that sovereignty belongs only to Christ. His relics are embedded in the main altar of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on campus.

In the late 200s, Marcellus was a centurion in the Roman army and was posted in Spain. As the empire celebrated a feast in honor of the emperor with sacrifices to the gods, Marcellus, wanting to remain pure of heart, stood in front of his legion and condemned the celebration. Though he was a centurion, he cast aside his belt (a distinguishing mark of his rank) and declared himself a soldier of Christ, the eternal king.

His fellow soldiers were dumbfounded—they did not know what to do with him. They reported him to their superiors, and he was thrown into prison.

We still have transcripts from his trial, which record Marcellus declaring, “I am a Christian, and can serve no other than Jesus Christ, Son of God.” He was sentenced to death for desertion and impiety and was beheaded on this date in 298.

St. Marcellus is patron saint of conscientious objectors to military service.

St. Marcellus, you set aside your rank and gave your life to serve only Christ the King—pray for us!