REFLECTIONS TODAY John 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The great haul of fish is rich in symbolism in the new mission entrusted to the disciples—the shift from mere fishermen to “fishers of men” (Mt 4:19). The great catch of fish represents the gathering of the various types of people into the Church, the community of Jesus. The...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Sorrow shared is halved. We all need listening ears, especially when we experience a big loss in life. The two disciples choose to stick together and trudge their way back to Emmaus with heavy hearts. To them, Jerusalem is the city of dashed dreams and failed promises. The...
REFLECTIONS TODAY There are several women who actually meet the risen Christ. They are even able to embrace his feet and do him homage. There is nothing secret in Jesus’ message to them. He says to the women who are fearful yet overjoyed: “Do not be afraid” (v 10). The time of Jesus’...
REFLECTIONS TODAY John 20:1-9 Today’s Gospel shows the significant role the women play in the proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection. All four evangelists agree on one vital detail about Easter morning: while it is still dark, women rush to Jesus’ tomb. Indeed, the presence of the women at the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY We anticipate Jesus’ resurrection, with the proclamation, “This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave” (Exsultet). In our life, there are many kinds of tombs in which we find ourselves — poverty and want, expectations...
REFLECTIONS TODAY For John, the death of Jesus is at the same time his glorification. It is also God’s glorification. Jesus does not die as a helpless victim of human machinations; he gives up his life freely as proof of his love for the Father and the Father’s love for humanity. John shows...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Matthew’s account of the preparation for the Passover meal shows how Jesus directs the course of events. He is in perfect command of the situation. As they share the meal, Jesus predicts that one of the disciples will betray him. This underlines the enormity of the despicable...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The reference to the disciple whom Jesus loves is made here for the first time. He is the one reclining next to Jesus at the Last Supper and even leans on his bosom. The description of the Beloved Disciple emphasizes his closeness to Jesus. A special confidant to whom Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mary’s anointing of Jesus anticipates three crucial events in John’s passion narrative. First, as the response of Jesus to Judas suggests, the anointing anticipates his death and burial. Jesus will be anointed again before he is laid in the tomb (19:38-42). Second, the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The passion narrative tells us the culminating drama of Jesus’ salvific act. It unfolds the drama with a cast of characters: there are the main protagonists, the bad guys and the good guys, the bystanders and extras. They represent the different types of persons in the drama of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Jewish religious leaders gather as the Sanhedrin (the equivalent of a Supreme Court) and weigh the repercussions of Jesus’ power and his hold on the masses. If Jesus and his followers should try to wrest political power from the Romans, yet suffer defeat, the Romans would...
