REFLECTIONS TODAY Today is the Feast of the Visitation. From Nazareth, Mary visits her kinswoman Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea, in a place known today as the Ein Kerem or the “Spring of the Vineyard.” Today’s Gospel narrative appears to frame Mary’s song of the Magnificat. The song...
REFLECTIONS TODAY MATTHEW 28:16-20 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and...
REFLECTIONS TODAY James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come to Jesus requesting for privileged positions reserved for the great ones since what they expect Jesus to have are political authority and earthly glory. Jesus corrects their way of thinking. The other ten become indignant of James and John...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In today’s Gospel, Peter declares that they, the disciples, have given up everything and followed Jesus. One’s capacity to give up everything to become a disciple is in itself a gift from God. How is it possible for someone to give up the former way of life for the sake of the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel has three parts: Jesus’ mother and the Beloved Disciple standing underneath the cross, the death of Jesus, and the piercing of Jesus’ side. On the cross, Jesus “handed over” (parédōken) the spirit, which may mean the passing on of his mission to his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY JOHN 20:19-23 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 While attention is given to Peter being entrusted with the care of Jesus’ flock, at the background stands a figure as important as Peter, even more important for the community that gave origin to the Fourth Gospel. He is known as the Beloved Disciple. He is said to be the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The second appearance to the Eleven and the confession of Thomas are clearly the conclusion to the Gospel of John. Thomas’ address of “My Lord and my God!” to the risen Jesus (Jn 20:28) forms a literary conclusion with the opening verse of the Gospel, “… and the Word...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel is the last part of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He also prays for believers who will come to him through the witness of his immediate disciples. He prays for unity among all his followers, that all of them may be one as he and the Father are one (Jn 17:22). True...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel is the second part of Jesus’ prayer found in John 17. He is praying for the welfare of his disciples while they are still in the world. He prays for their protection from the evil one. In the last verse of the preceding chapter, Jesus cautions his disciples that...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel tells of the first part of the prayer uttered by Jesus in John 17. The prayer highlights the mutual relationship Jesus has with the Father, expressed in the act of mutual glorification. This kind of glorification is far from selfish act. This mutual...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives encouragement to his disciples. He knows that his disciples will leave him behind in times of suffering. He tells them that they need not worry because the Father is with him. With his knowledge of what is about to happen then, Jesus’ main...
