REFLECTIONS TODAY In the perspective of the evangelist John, Nicodemus is a figure who little by little comes out of darkness — the realm of evil, untruth, and ignorance — into the light, none other than Jesus, the Light of the world (3:19; 8:12). In their conversation, Jesus reverses the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The week following Easter is devoted to reflection on the fundamental sacrament of the Church: Baptism. The Gospel reading is taken from Jesus’ nocturnal encounter with Nicodemus during which Jesus explains “birth” to the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus represents Torah-observant...
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 At the end of Mark’s Gospel, there seems to be a lingering ambivalence regarding the resurrection of Jesus. The faith of the early Christian community must pass through stages of faith development, from “unbelief and hardness of heart” (v 14) to belief in the risen Lord....
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 Luke continues to present to the disciples that Jesus’ bodily resurrection is real. As proof, Jesus points out the marks of the passion still visible on his hands and feet, and dares them to touch these. Then, he asks for food and eats with the disciples. Jesus of Nazareth is...
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 Mary of Magdala is overcome with sorrow as she weeps outside the tomb. The body of Jesus could not be found there. She was denied the chance to anoint her Master with spices and perfume. It could have been her final act of homage and love for her Rabbouni who rescued her from...
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...
