Reflection for the Week

After the Ascension, the Disciples had much to prayerfully contemplate—and much to do! Jesus had called them “light of the world” and “salt of the earth.” Others should see their shining faith and get a taste of what believing in the Lord meant. Scribes and Pharisees demanded obedience to rules, right down to the last letter. Jesus had come to fulfill the Old Testament, teaching His followers to obey the spirit of the law. Haughtily calling others stupid (raqa) or foolish leaves people answerable to God. When we feel trampled, why wou

Jesus’ Disciples realized that He knew everything, and it must have stung when He said they would abandon Him. Nevertheless, the Lord wanted His friends to have peace and courage. Through the Disciples, more people would come to believe. Saint Paul once asked about a dozen Ephesians if they received the Holy Spirit when they became believers. They had never heard of the Holy Spirit until the day Paul Baptized them. To fulfill our Baptismal mission by using our blessings well, do we follow Jesus’ example of prayer to the Father and attentive

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?

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