Reflection for the Week

Three days of frantic searching for twelve-year-old Jesus ended with Mary and Joseph finding Him conversing with teachers in the Temple. Our Lord taught that loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength finds expression in love of neighbors. Pharisees and Herodians teamed up in hope of getting Jesus to oppose either the Jewish people or Caesar regarding the census tax. Sadducees and Pharisees disagreed on belief in resurrection, but both tried to strengthen their positions by challenging Jesus. For example, some Sadducees asked whose eternal

Greeting Elizabeth, the expectant Virgin Mary expounded on the great things God did for her. Running up to Jesus, a man asked what he should do to gain eternal life. Since he already obeyed the Commandments, the man might have expected a pat on the back but went away sad because Jesus said he had to do more. When Peter pointed out that the Twelve had given up everything to become Disciples, the Lord spoke of rewards in this life and eternal life, but also persecution in between. Jesus did not promise James and John seats right beside Him in hea

Jesus told the Disciples about His impending death. Afraid to ask for elaboration, they proceeded to argue about who among them stood as the greatest. When people brought children to the Lord or when a stranger drove out demons in Jesus’ name, the Disciples tried to interfere. The Twelve had a lot to learn! Jesus explained that no one against them could accomplish mighty works in His name. He blessed children, who easily accept God’s Kingdom. Scripture’s Letter of Saint James advises prayer for one another and helping each other to avoid

Before Jesus’ death, He expressed His love for the Disciples and said that He wanted them to have peace, even though they would abandon Him. They had come to realize that Jesus knew everything, and His foretelling of betrayal must have stung. During Jesus’ Passion, Peter denied Him three times. When the Risen Lord gave him the healing opportunity to declare his love three times in a row, Peter pointed out on the third go-around that Jesus already knew! Later, leaders of the Church in the city of Ephesus wept in farewell to Paul, who had spe

Jesus tried to prepare the Disciples. Soon, He said, they would not see Him for a little while, but their mourning would turn to joy. They had no idea what He meant, but Jesus knew the limits of what they could bear at the time. As events transpired, only a couple of days separated Jesus’ death and Resurrection. As promised, He returned, but only for 40 days. After the Lord’s Ascension, Disciples would testify to Him with help from the Holy Spirit. Their number would grow as others, like Saint Paul, joined in the work of building the Church

Knowing that the Disciples would not recall everything He had taught, Jesus promised reminders and further teaching through the Holy Spirit. The Lord did provide some very memorable images, though. For example, the faithful should think of the heavenly Father as a vine grower and remain connected to Jesus, like branches on a vine. After the Ascension of the Lord, Paul and Barnabas encountered challenges as missionaries. The miraculous cure of a crippled man led to undesired treatment of the two Disciples as gods. Conversely, persecutors thrashe

Like a shepherd whose sheep recognize and follow His voice, Jesus leads the faithful. Pharisees failed to understand. The Lord then described Himself as the sheepgate, because only through Him can a person enter into salvation. Ascending to heaven, Jesus left plenty for the Disciples to do and sent the Holy Spirit to work through them. Even people blessed with faith may find it hard to follow the advice of Saint Peter to place every worry in God’s hands. Jesus provides the way to progress from earthly dwellings to places prepared for us in he