Before the Crucifixion and Ascension, Jesus promised the Disciples that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to remind them of things forgotten and give them new enlightenment. Most importantly, the Lord told His friends to love one another, as He loved them. He would go to the Father, and they knew the way-a comment that baffled Thomas until Jesus called Himself the way! After the miraculous cure of a crippled man, early Church missionaries Paul and Barnabas shouted that people must not treat them like gods. On the other hand, persecutors thr
Read MoreLike a good shepherd, whose sheep know and follow His voice, Jesus leads the faithful. Before the Crucifixion, He assured the Disciples that He would go, prepare a place for them in the Father's house, and come back. They already knew the way to get there-Jesus Himself! When we fail to see God working in today's world, do we look at how we can do better at allowing God to work through us?
People had seen loaves and fish miraculously multiplied, yet they asked Jesus the next day for another sign-something like manna in the desert given to their ancestors. Arguments occurred about how the Lord could possibly give His flesh as the Bread of eternal life. In the early Church, God worked through the Apostles but also through the Pharisee and ruthless persecutor who became Saint Paul. When we want a sign from God, do we consider that flashiness can temporarily blind us?
Jesus had multiplied five loaves and two fish to provide more than enough food for thousands of people. God doesn't ration the Holy Spirit, either. After Jesus' death, a member of the Sanhedrin advised having nothing to do with the Apostles. If just a fad, their ministry would die out. If not, religious leaders might find themselves "fighting against God"! Do we pray to understand what more God asks of us or stop after saying that we have had enough challenge?
Mary Magdalene mistook the Risen Lord for a gardener until He said, "Mary!" Talking with two 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. Would remembering that Jesus had a gentle sense of humor help us to enjoy His presence in our lives?
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus held a dinner for Jesus and the Disciples. Jesus knew that allowing Mary to anoint His feet with costly oil and dry them with her hair would help her grieve for Him later. Peter would deeply regret having less loyalty than he thought. On the Cross, Jesus entrusted His Mother and a beloved Disciple to one another's care. Do we give thanks that the Lord always looks upon us with love?
Jesus refused to condemn a woman and said that anyone without sin should hurl the first stone at her. After saying that He existed before Abraham and did good works to help people believe that He and the Father existed in each other, Jesus fled to the other side of the Jordan River. Wanting the Lord's help, do we remain willing to work hand in hand with Him?