Dear Firefighters:
Some thoughts on yesterday's gospel.
Prayer: There are times when loving my neighbor becomes a challenge, Lord. I sometimes let the negative attitude of others influence me. Today I pray that You will open my heart ever-more to Your loving ways. Help me to surround myself with people who will bring me closer to You. Amen.
John 14:27-31A
Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
Refection questions:
Hearing the gospel today, we can hear hints of the Ascension. Jesus is about to leave and go back with the Father, the Ascension is about to happen, and the Holy Spirit will then come and give us the power to proclaim the love and the message of Jesus, with hope and without hesitation. Remember, that gift to proclaim Jesus can be done in many ways – in the love and care for each other – St. Francis said "when preaching the gospel use words only necessary. My mom would say: Show me who you hang with and I will tell you what you are. We need to hang with people who strive for the gospel and its way of life! Even when times get hard!!!
Today we hear the words of Jesus “peace I leave you, my peace I give you”.
- To do feel that peace within?
- Do you give that peace to others – for example, the people you live with, people who help us each day?
- The next part of the gospel reading Jesus says…
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
- I hope you are able to take these words to heart!
- It’s hard sometimes, to be calm during a pandemic, especially when loved ones may be sick, and in the hospital, and we can't get to them.
- Each of us is feeling the same questions and fears.
- We feel lost, sometimes, we feel like a kid who left home for the first time – and finally, he or she is feeling homesick I want to go home I want to be with family and friends.
Jesus says ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
- I believe, not only will Jesus come back for me and you, we must do the same for each other, bring us back as followers who love and continue to live out the message of Jesus.
- We need to remain calm, listen to the Church, and Government mandates.....
- The Spirit is here among us! Pray for all those who are on the front lines protecting us each day.
What does the Father command us to do?.... Love each other, and care for each other, simple advice but this can be difficult, but we can do it.
Jesus then goes on to say: I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world, is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
Like Jesus, we are all called to do the will of the Father and to resist the power of darkness. - What is your darkness you must face each day in order to follow Jesus?
Let us remember to listen to what the Spirit is asking of us during this pandemic. We pray that the Spirit of God will bring us hope for all the people who love and care for others. Amen!
Let us pray for our Pope and all Church leaders, both Christian and Non-Christian, our government world leaders. They have a heavy load on their shoulders to bear. We must love and trust them! Amen.
Jesus said: "I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.” We must do the same!
Peace and all good,
Brother Ed, OFM
