Daily Gospel Meditations - Saint John Society

The conversion of St. Matthew - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. How was Matthew doing before Jesus called him? How did the Lord make those first inroads into your life? Have you seen Christ reach others through the invitation of friends? Can you distinguish when entering a certain environment can bring the light of Christ, from situations that would simply be like walking into...

Why did Jesus heal the paralytic? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. In what way is Jesus encouraging you to bring others to him, and to prepare them for that encounter? How has Jesus healed your soul, your body, your relationships? What does the Lord respond to the voices of unbelief that arise in your heart?

Why did these demons fear being cast out? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Have you seen something analogous to this incident, either in your own life or in the life of others? Are you willing to face the unsettling aspects of that fight? What do you find inspiring in Christ’s character and actions in this passage?

Why did Jesus challenge the disciples’ fears? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. What storms you’ve sailed through in recent times? What are some of the things Jesus wants to remind you of in response to fears or worries you may have? Why do you think He doesn’t always respond right away, but may be quiet for a season?

Why did Thomas doubt the resurrection? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. What are your own struggles with faith? Do you struggle because it’s hard to believe God can do certain things? Or do you struggle that God has chosen this particular way to convey faith to us? Can you relate to Thomas’ struggles – his jealousy, the comparison with others, his impulsiveness?

The danger of good things - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Is there a risk that some relationships could become an idol for you? What are the crosses that lie in the path of your mission? How can you be a better messenger of Christ for others?

The healing of the centurion’s servant - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. What calls your attention in the heart of Christ? What kind of faith do you see in yourself? How does it compare to the faith of the centurion?

How can broken people live the law of the gospel? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. In seeking to live out the sermon of the mount, what obstacles and weaknesses do you find in you? How has the Lord already helped you bear those weaknesses? What do you ask him now? What does He ask of you now?

The complementary charisms of Peter and Paul - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Why do you think Jesus decided to endow the Church with these different charisms and promises? In what ways has the Church illumined and sustained you in your faith journey?

How are we to discern false prophets? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. How can you grow in your ability to discern people’s moral character? Do you tend to err on the side of distrusting too much, or of trusting too quickly, or in an unqualified way? What attitude would the Lord want in you?

Why the golden rule is not so simple - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. In your path of spiritual growth, have you noticed a shift in the kind of good things you want for others? Are there areas in which you already experience this law of growth in the spiritual life: that the road feels narrow in the beginning, and then it broadens? Why is Jesus pointing out these things to you...

Why we should avoid judgment - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. How would you want others to judge you? How could your judgment of others reflect that measure you’d want used for yourself? Are you working toward removing any blind spots in your moral vision?

Do not live in fear - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Is your life led primarily by fear, or by love? What are the fears that prevail in your heart? What could help you overcome fear? What fruits have you obtained when you’ve dared trample fear in your heart?

Why does God create interconnected stories? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Have you seen instances of God’s interventions in your life, or in stories you’ve heard or read about? What have you learned from those? What keys can you find in this passage about why such interventions can be missed, or misinterpreted, or, on the contrary, used in a good way?

The images of the treasure and the lamp - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. How would you assess before the Lord your own relationship with possessions? Is there anything Jesus would encourage you to imitate in the way He looks at things?

The wisdom of the Lord’s Prayer - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Choose three petitions on which you may focus your meditation today. What is the wisdom they contain? Why do you need them? How can they help you grow in prayer?

Walking before the Father’s gaze - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Can you tell those things you do to glorify God from those you do to be seen? How are the outcomes different? What steps is Jesus inviting you to take, so that you may seek him instead of human glory?

How is it possible to love our enemies? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Did you ever receive an act of kindness from someone you considered an enemy? What impact did that have on you? What situations come to mind when you hear this teaching of Christ? What is He encouraging you to do?

How do we deal with difficult people? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Can you think of instances in which this teaching was applied? (it could be instances in your own life, in the lives of the saints, or in people you know) What was the impact of those actions? Even if you feel that responding in this way may be hard to achieve in some specific situation you are dealing with...

The missionary strategy of Christ - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. What do you perceive when you look at the world through the eyes of Christ? What does the Lord tell you through his double response, that He cares for us directly and through the shepherds He has formed? What wisdom do you discover in the way Jesus established things? What relevance does this have for your life...

Why did Jesus stay behind in the Temple? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Can you think of events that have been like reminders from God of what’s important in your life? What is the ground of your obedience? Social convention? Doing what is less risky? Is it faith in God? What do you take away from Mary’s response to what Christ did?

Three virtues of the Sacred Heart - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Is there anything blocking you off from the source of joy? What keys for acceptance and humility can you learn from the heart of Christ? How has Jesus manifested his goodness to you, both in offering shelter and in helping you face your responsibilities?

A holiness greater than the letter of the law - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Why do you think Jesus asks us to interiorize his commandments? How do you deal with anger? Do you need to seek reconciliation? What is the Lord inviting you to do in this area?

Do we Christians still need the law? - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Have you experienced the good use of laws and good teachings in your faith journey? Do you need to heal your image of the law? In what areas of your life do you need that external help of discipline, good community, mentoring, and good laws?

Salt of the earth and light of the world - Fr. Lucas Laborde. Click here for today’s readings. Who are the people who have been salt and light for you? How are you called to be salt and light for others? In what circumstances is the temptation to blend in the strongest for you?