Reflection for the Week

God invites people to stay connected with Him and live fruitfully. Jesus used the analogy of the Father as a vine grower, Jesus as the vine, and believers as branches. Love branches out! In the early Church, following the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth, people in a crowd wrongly believed that a Greek god had come to them in the person of Saint Paul. Another type of challenge arose about whether Gentiles who converted to Christianity had to abide by Mosaic law from the Old Testament. At times, we feel troubled, afraid, or in danger

In the Temple area, people asked how long Jesus would keep them in suspense about His identity. Jesus answered that He had already told them, but they didn’t believe His words or works done in His Father’s name. At the Last Supper, Jesus promised the Disciples with Him that He would go to prepare a place in the Father’s house and then come back, although they already knew how to get there. Believing that Jesus provides the way to heaven, how do we map out our day-to-day spiritual journey?

Before the Crucifixion, Jesus had more to tell the Disciples than they could bear—especially since He had already warned that they would soon mourn for Him and face dangers themselves. On the bright side, they would soon see Him again. As disciples, we should ask God for what we need to cooperate in His plan. When blessed in ways we never imagined, do we also heed advice from Saint Paul to “hold on to what is good,” love, and not get haughty toward the lowly?

Jesus advised the crowds to work for food that lasts forever. As their primary task, He said to believe in the One sent by God the Father. To help them believe, the people suggested a sign—something like manna given to their ancestors in the desert. Our Lord then called Himself the Bread of life. Things got even more complicated when He proclaimed that His Flesh and Blood would become their food and drink. Many people walked away. After Jesus’ Ascension, conversions to faith occurred, and despite persecutions, the Church grew. Hoping for fu

One night, a Pharisee named Nicodemus went to Jesus, who enlightened him about rebirth in the Spirit. In the early Church, the Apostles ignored dire warnings not to preach in Jesus’ name. God does not ration the Holy Spirit any more than Jesus rationed the food when He multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of thousands. When our prayers in Jesus’ name do not get the response we want, do we ask the Lord, our Light, to help us see with enlightened faith?

Mary Magdalene mistook the Risen Lord for a gardener until He said her name. For two disciples in Emmaus, the eye-opener came through the Lord's blessing and sharing of bread, while a miraculous catch of fish enabled a beloved Disciple to recognize Jesus. Religious leaders felt powerless to punish Peter and John for ministering in Jesus' name. What kinds of events obscure our ability to see the Lord's presence in our lives?

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus hosted a dinner in Jesus' honor, at which Mary anointed His feet with perfumed oil and dried them with her hair. At another meal, Jesus placed Himself as a servant to wash the Disciples' feet. Peter promised at the Last Supper to follow Jesus, no matter what. Pontius Pilate, like Peter, did not understand what the Lord had in mind. When we get wrapped up in sadness or confusion, do the Lord's abandoned burial cloths raise our hopes in Him?