REFLECTIONS TODAY A long line of tradition has associated the Beloved Disciple, the author of the Fourth Gospel, with the Apostle John. In the Synoptic Gospels, though close to Simon, John has a subordinate role. In the Fourth Gospel, the Beloved Disciple is at par with Simon Peter. He is the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY At the close of his Gospel, John presents Jesus as giving Simon Peter a share of his mission as the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and lays down his life for them. The foremost consideration for this responsibility is the love of Simon for Jesus, the confession of which Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Holy Spirit is the force that binds the Father and the Son. Jesus prays that his disciples may also have a share in this divine unity. He looks ahead to the time when many other people will believe in him through the witness of his disciples, and prays that all believers...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Three times Jesus prays to the Father to protect the disciples in the Father’s name since all holiness comes from the Father. The disciples are consecrated, that is, set apart and dedicated to keeping the name of God holy. By remaining “consecrated in the truth,” the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY For Luke, Mary is hailed not so much because of her motherhood of the Son of God but, first and foremost, because she is a believer. In the Annunciation, Mary’s faith stands in contrast to the disbelief of Zechariah (Lk 1:20). Mary’s role as believer continues in her presence...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus continues to converse with the disciples about what to expect during his last hours on earth and in the future. The disciples think that they have fully grasped what Jesus is saying. They do not foresee themselves “scattering” and “going to his own home,” leaving the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Luke brings his Gospel to a close with the report of the Ascension. He will also begin the story of the Church with a recounting of the Ascension (First Reading). The Gospel gives us the impression that Jesus ascends on the same day as his resurrection, while Acts tells us that...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus makes a solemn promise that whatever his disciples ask the Father in Jesus’ name, they will be given them. Up to this, of course, they have not been praying to God through Jesus. That will only happen after the resurrection and ascension. Today, it is customary for the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel repeats much of yesterday’s account about the sorrow the disciples will experience when Jesus goes away (in his suffering and death) and the joy that they will experience when he soon returns (in his resurrection). Jesus compares their experience to that of a...
RFEFLECTIONS TODAY The disciples start mumbling among themselves, asking what Jesus means. To us, it is clear that Jesus is referring to his coming suffering, death, and resurrection. He warns them that they will be “weeping and wailing” while others rejoice. Witnessing the last hours of Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Spirit will not make new revelations, but rather will shed light on what has already occurred and has been said by Jesus that are relevant for the future age. The disciples can only learn their meaning as they faithfully live the commands of Jesus in their lives day by day....
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus tries to dispel the disciples’ sadness. He must leave them so that the Advocate could join them. His return to the Father will facilitate the coming of the Spirit to the disciples: “If I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.” The word “Advocate” reminds us...
