Reflection for the Week

People who had seen the multiplication of loaves and fish found Jesus the next day. They wanted more proof before believing in Him—something like manna in the desert given to their ancestors. When the Lord promised His flesh as the Bread of eternal life, He added that no one could come to Him unless drawn by the Father. In the early Church, God worked through the Disciples as they proclaimed Christ and miracles occurred. In a blinding light, the voice of Jesus asked why a ruthless Pharisee named Saul persecuted Him. With his sight restored, S

Impossible as it seemed, Mary believed that she would become the Mother of God. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, talked privately with Jesus and had faith, even though he did not understand all that the Lord told him. After the Ascension, a Pharisee named Gamaliel said that the Apostles’ ministry would die out if just a fad. If not, the Sanhedrin might find itself “fighting against God”! People recalled that Jesus had multiplied five loaves and two fish to provide more than enough food for thousands of people. The Gospel of John assures us that God

Picture the Risen Lord greeting His friends and followers. Mary Magdalene mistook Him for the gardener. In an amusing conversation with a couple of travelers to Emmaus, Jesus pretended not to know about the events surrounding His death. When the Disciples feared that a ghost had appeared, Jesus pointed out that He had flesh and bones, and could use something to eat. On the Sea of Tiberius, Peter jumped into the water when another Disciple realized that Jesus stood on shore. If we fail to picture Jesus having a gentle sense of humor, how often m

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus held a dinner for Jesus and the Disciples. Judas objected when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with costly oil, but the Lord realized that holding on to her loving act would help when she grieved for Him. As a servant would do, Jesus washed the Disciples’ feet. Peter objected but would come to understand. On the Cross, Jesus entrusted His Mother and a beloved Disciple (probably John) to one another as mother and son. Although we look up to Jesus, we sometimes let Him down. Do we give thanks that the Lord always looks upo

Mary and Joseph could not understand why 12-year-old Jesus stayed in Jerusalem after the Passover festival without asking. Years later, when asked for His opinion, the Lord saved a condemned woman by inviting anyone without sin to hurl the first stone at her. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the chief priests and Pharisees feared loss of their authority. We sometimes forge ahead without praying about our plans, even though the Lord knows what we have to gain or lose. When we hardly know what to say, how often do we marvel that Jesus re

Frustrated with people refusing to believe without seeing a miracle, Jesus cured an official’s son from a distance. At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus healed a man and then slipped away to avoid accusations that He had violated the Sabbath. Outrage against Him grew when Jesus openly said that He did the work for which His Father sent Him. Convinced or still confused, no one brought Jesus to the chief priests and Pharisees when the opportunity arose. When, as far as we can see, nothing short of a miracle will help in our lives, do we close our eye

Jesus angered people in his hometown by pointing out miracles worked in Gentile territory through prophets that the Israelites regarded as their own. When Peter asked if he had to forgive someone as many as seven times, Jesus said seventy-seven. Only goodness could accomplish what Jesus did. No one can go wrong by loving God and neighbor. The Lord told a parable of an uppity Pharisee who regarded himself as better than other people and thanked God, whereas a sinner with downcast eyes asked for mercy. Counting our blessings, do we give thanks fo