Wednesday of the Fourth Week
Reflection

“For the Lord comforts and shows mercy.” Is 49:13.  In the first reading, Isaiah describes how Jesus will call us from all parts of the world as brothers and sisters to follow Him. We learn that in this life we are confronted with difficult situations and challenges, but we must not become despondent or discouraged because Jesus has given us the Holy Mass, the Eucharist, true food and true drink, to give us strength and nourishment which will provide for our needs and help us follow Him.  And when we have fallen, His mercy is given to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to reunite us to Him. We are never alone, for Jesus is with us in our tribulations, and He gave us His mother as our mother, that we might have Her to call upon to intercede and advocate for us.

“I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in the one who sent Me has eternal life.” Jn 5:24.  In the Gospel, Jesus describes His work as being that of the Father. The Son does what the Father shows Him, and in turn, Jesus asks us to follow Him continuing His work in our lives. Whoever believes in Jesus will never die, but pass from death to life.  Today, Jesus is being challenged in His ministry for going beyond the strict rules and rituals of the time, and we can expect to likewise be challenged in our faith by what society deems acceptable and by materialism. It’s through the challenges we build our relationship with God and learn more about ourselves.

To remain close to Jesus, receive the Sacraments, pray often, and make God the center of our lives. In the silence of our hearts during prayer, we hear His voice calling and teaching us what He is asking us to do. The more we pray, the better we hear Him. Do not let faith become a ritual to follow blindly, but to be a pasture for us to learn to be steadfast, and grow in.  Have we made our conversion to put God in the first place in our lives?

Prayer

Hail Mary, Mother of Jesus, I entrust myself to you.

David Lalime & Patricia Danehey-Lalime MSA class of ’92, MSW, Members of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:8-15
Psalm 145:8-9, 13c-14, 17-18
Gospel: John 5:17-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website