Reflection for the Week

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

Even Jesus’ friends and followers did not recognize Him after the Resurrection. Shortly after finding the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene mistook Him for a gardener until He said her name. Two travelers on the Road to Emmaus had Scripture opened to them, but it took the Lord’s blessing and breaking of bread for them to realize that He had risen. Peter and half a dozen others unknowingly saw Jesus on the seashore, but their eyes were opened after He told them where to cast their fishing net for a big catch. What happens when we expect to encounte

Much can happen in a week. Riding on a colt through a jubilant crowd, Jesus approached the Mount of Olives. Ignominious death on a Cross soon followed. When Jesus told the Disciples that He would depart from them soon, Peter wanted to go, too, no matter the danger. Jesus answered that Peter would deny Him three times by morning. At the Last Supper, Jesus rose from the table to wash the Disciples’ feet—a chore for a servant. When his turn came, Peter objected, but Jesus said that inheritance with Him depended on the washing. Our Lord set an

Jesus saved a woman caught in adultery by saying that anyone without sin should cast the first stone at her. While challenging people to believe in His good works if they couldn’t accept the truth when He declared Himself the Son of God, Jesus narrowly escaped stoning, too. The Lord taught that sin enslaves people, while truth sets them free. Jewish people had divided opinions. Some refused to accept Him as the Messiah, but when Jesus raised His friend Lazarus from the dead, many came to believe. The chief priests and Pharisees feared that Je