Gospel Reflections for April 21 2019
How far would you go to rescue people you love?
This Easter is the happy conclusion to a week that started with a tragic fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Thank God brave firefighters could save most of it.
The first Easter was the happy conclusion to a tragic week as well.
On Thursday, Jesus gathered His disciples at the Last Supper, where he said the same Mass that we say today. Our Lord gets up to humbly wash His disciple’s feet from the dust common to people walking around town, even while knowing these closest friends would soon betray Him.
Next, He travels with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane where He is soon arrested and taken to local religious and government officials for trial. All His disciples run away. He is then falsely accused of various crimes and sent to Pilate, the Roman Governor, for execution.
He is violently whipped and tortured and then given a heavy cross to carry to His long and painful crucifixion.
Who would endure all this? Only someone for whom love can never be stopped by anything other people do. Jesus would never let other people’s lack of love affect His love for you. He was willing to go through all this suffering to offer you a way for your lasting happiness.
Today we certainly see inhumane behavior around the world, or maybe even in your world. Do you feel like losing hope? Jesus never did. Nor should you.
Jesus was on a mission of love and He would never let anyone get in the way of His showing it. Even while surrounded by evil people He remained true to His mission to love. That is your task as well today.
Never let anyone’s lack of love affect your love.
Famous people have met challenges like this in history, and some have even died for it, but only one person in all of human history has ever risen from the dead. That means Jesus is from God. That means He is worth taking seriously. The kind of love that Jesus offers can never be stopped by human evil. This is the life to learn!
Our world seems tragically on fire with lack of love. Thank God Jesus can save most of it.
Decide today to make this life of Jesus a daily practice every day, every week, and all year long!
Happy Easter!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Fr Dave
I felt so moved by your comment;
“NEVER LET ANYONE’S LACK OF LOVE AFFECTS YOUR LOVE
THANK YOU AND I WISH YOU A BLESSED EASTER
JAN WENNINK
Yes, I think this is such an important idea!
thank you, Father, for this reflection reminding us to hope and to love — it seems uniquely Catholic to have faith, hope and love in the face of bad, difficult and sad times, but it is one of the reasons I love being Catholic. How grateful I am for our Lord’s love. Happy Easter!
Happy Easter Season!
Fr. Dave
That was a beauitful story that you just told us. !!!
You are VERY right about., never letting anyone else’s lack of love affect your love. People should remember this about the abuse sandals.
The people of Paris watching ND on Fire were singing Ava María and other songs to the Bless-it Mother of God. Beautiful expression of faith.
Happy Easter!
He is Risen!!
God bless
Jane
Yes, watching the people of Paris pray and sing was amazing!
Happy Easter Fr Dave. Thank you for all you do to bring Jesus and His message to the people. Argyle
Surely the intoning of the Parisians united in the singing of the Ave Maria aside the
damaged remains of their cathedral’s remains symbolizes the foundation of
the building and its flying buttresses rooting earth to Heaven.
And may it continue to do so!
Blessings and thanks to you always!
Bob and Rose Mary
The scenes of Parisians singing and praying was so unexpected, and so inspiring too!
Happy Easter Season, to a fellow fisherman too!
Dear Father Dave,
As I sit at my desk every day, I look at two photographs: one of my teen-age granddaughter and one of a six-month-old baby boy, a friend’s grandson. Both children are smiling and both are contributing in a very real way to my happiness. Perhaps it’s a small thing, but it’s beautiful.
What Jesus did for us brings us to a far different level of happiness and understanding. His pain, crucifixion, and resurrection clearly touches our souls in salvation. I believe whole heartedly when you say remain true to Him and His love. Yes, He is pure transcendent love. For me, yesterday’s return to Christ’s passion felt like the Hand of God reaching out….
Thank you so much for all you do. Have a blessed and holy Easter.
Sincerely,
Kathleen A.
Thank you so much for your very kind words. Happy Easter Season!
To your question, Fr. Dave, … Since we are limited in what we can do, no human
could do what Jesus did!
As life unfolds it becomes clearer that Jesus has done it all for us, and with a greater realization
what He wants from us.
He is never for Himself, but always for us, as He longs to see us in His kingdom
Well said!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious loving Faith of total love!!!! Jesus, taught us to love by living love !!!Jesus’ rising is soooooooooooooooooooobeautiful for he is witnessing to us that we will rise if we liveee in Love!!! Our Jesus suffered, died, rose in love!!! We will do the same if we follow our Jesus!!! ‘Come follow me’ Dick and i are following our Jesus it total love!!! Thank you Father Dave for you are showing us the way to loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! Happy, glorious Easter!!!
Loveeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Happy Easter Season!