Reflection for the Week

Some people like to see things through to the finish. Jesus, for example, came to fulfill Mosaic law and the Ten Commandments that were just the beginning. On the other hand, He showed a different sort of wisdom by affirming that He came as light for the world but then passed the torch to the Disciples. In our lives, we can feel perplexed, suffer affliction, and get knocked down. Still, faith gives us the sureness that we can never go wrong by seeking reconciliation with others and with God. When we hesitate to do a good deed, does an all-or-no

Jesus knowingly told the Disciples that they would abandon Him but also said that He wanted them to have peace in Him. The Lord still wanted them to carry on His life’s work. After the Resurrection, Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to affirm his love as many times as he had denied knowing the Lord. With things mercifully squared away after Peter responded—yes, yes, YES!—that he loved Jesus, our forgiving Lord said, “Follow me.” When we fail to follow straightaway in His love, how many times does the Lord have to ask before we accept t

Jesus had much that He wanted to tell the Twelve before the Crucifixion, but He didn’t want to overwhelm them. He saw his friends already grieving as they realized that Jesus would soon depart. Looking on the bright side, the Lord said that they would see Him again soon and, not only that, but receive the Holy Spirit to guide them. Testifying to Him would put their lives at risk, but the heavenly Father would give them whatever they needed. Like the Virgin Mary, we are blessed because we believe. When experiencing losses in our lives, what do

Rather than quizzing the Disciples on all that He had taught, Jesus gave them the easy-to-remember Commandment to love one another. The Holy Spirit would come to guide them and remind them of His lessons, all of which stem from love. Like branches on a vine, we must remain attached to the Lord if we want to live fruitful lives. When we find our faith starting to wither, we depend on God to help cut back what gets in the way of new growth in the acceptance and sharing of His love. While we sometimes experience great joy in this world, we also ex

Jesus chose the Disciples to become followers and, more importantly, friends. Even though He would depart from them, the Lord said to remain in His love and to love one another. Anyone who believes in Him can do great things and ask with confidence for anything needed to give God glory. Despite the Lord’s assurances, we still feel troubled at times as we try to find our way in life. Nothing alleviates the fear of a lost child like the sound of a familiar voice calling his name. Even sheep respond to the voice of their shepherd. When doors ope

After the miraculous multiplication of five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd, Jesus advised people to work for food that never perishes. To explain, He said that He is the Bread of life. Many walked away hungry. Having taught that doing the work of God means believing in the Son, the Lord also understands that faith becomes difficult at times. Believing in Him and the Word as Spirit and life really does take some work. If the promise that anyone who comes to Him will never hunger seems too good to be true, do we have too much appetite

One windy night, Jesus walked on water miles out at sea and miraculously brought the Disciples’ boat immediately to shore. The Lord did not want them to lose their moorings after His death. He had promised that the Holy Spirit never gets rationed and, at the Last Supper, affirmed that whoever believes can do great things. After the Resurrection, Jesus appeared in a locked room and sent the Disciples forth to teach and heal as He had done. With fulfilled hope that Peter’s shadow would fall on them when he passed by, people received healing a