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As mentioned in our final Daily Family Prayer on December 31, 2025, we've joined with our sister ministry, Catholic Mom, to offer a new family-focused Daily Gospel Reflection. A sample of the new daily email is included below. The reflections are written by priests, deacons, and lay men and women from across the country, representing various ages and different stages of their spiritual journey. Each brings their unique faith perspective to the Church's Daily Gospels.
Our hope? You will read the reflections and then share them with your spouse and children — at dinner, during your commute, at bedtime, or by merely forwarding the email for them to read. Each reflection offers a thought to ponder, a prayer, and a way to engage in the daily message as a family. This new format is one more way Holy Cross Family Ministries is working to support families to embrace Venerable Patrick Peyton's message:
The Family That Prays Together Stays Together
Reflect on Jesus' healing and the importance of repentance in participating in His mission. Embrace the sacrament of reconciliation for spiritual renewal.
Today's Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25
Daily Gospel Reflection for January 5, 2026
Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies. Here we see that a “light has arisen” among the people. Early in His ministry, the local people were just beginning to get excited about Jesus. News was beginning to spread; everyone was talking about what He was doing. Jesus was curing people of every imaginable ailment everywhere He went, but He was also preaching,
“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
It’s easy to forget that we have a part in the saving mission of Jesus Christ. He came to heal, but we must join in the mission by first repenting of our sins, then bringing ourselves to Him with faith, being willing to be healed. Jesus didn’t heal the unsuspecting passersby, He healed those who came to Him with faith, seeking His mercy.
The sacrament of reconciliation is a gift, and the confessional is a great place for us to begin to receive God’s healing mercy today.
Once we have experienced the healing love of Christ, we must never take it for granted, and we must endeavor to always keep Christ at the center of our lives. We can tell our friends, our spouse, and our children about the Good News and live it every day.
Ponder:
What do I need to repent from in my life in order to receive healing from Jesus Christ?
Pray:
Heavenly Father, your Son is the light of the world. Help me to shine light on the areas of my life that need repentance in order to receive the graces of Jesus Christ more effectively.
Pray Together:
Go to confession as a family, if possible. It is powerful for children to see their mom and dad enter the confessional and accept God’s mercy and forgiveness.