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The Voice of a Stranger
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)—Good Shepherd Sunday
“When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” John 10:4–5
Young children are often frightened by strangers. Infants, for example, form a strong bond with their mothers who feed them, hold them close, talk to them, and lavish love upon them. It often happens that when other family members, such as grandparents or even the father, attempt to hold the child, tears emerge until the child is placed once again in the familiar and safe arms of his or her mother.
An infant’s reaction to strangers can teach us much about today’s Gospel on Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Like an infant, sheep become familiar with the voice and presence of their shepherd. The shepherd lives with the sheep night and day. He calls to them, speaks to them, keeps them safe, and leads them to green pastures and water. If a stranger were to call them, they would not listen, similar to how an infant reacts to a stranger.
Jesus’ teaching is in response to the criticism He received from the Pharisees after He healed a man born blind. After healing the man, Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind” (John 9:39). When the Pharisees heard Jesus say that, they inquired whether He was suggesting that they were blind, to which Jesus replied, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains” (John 9:41).
An infant’s unfamiliarity with a stranger is instinctive and innocent, yet it teaches us about the deeper spiritual reality Jesus describes. Just as sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd and follow him because they trust in his care, so too does a soul attuned to God respond to His voice. In contrast, the Pharisees, who prided themselves on their religious knowledge, failed to recognize Jesus as the true Shepherd. This failure was not innocent ignorance; it was willful blindness rooted in their rejection of His divine mission. The healed blind man perceived Jesus’ voice with the simplicity of faith, while the Pharisees, claiming to ‘see’ with their own wisdom, remained in sin because they refused to hear and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd.
The Pharisees saw Jesus as a stranger to their religious beliefs and practices. They labeled Him an imposter. Unlike the innocent reaction of an infant or the natural response of sheep, the Pharisees’ unfamiliarity with Jesus was a sin stemming from pride. It was a blindness of their own making that closed their hearts to the comforting and supernaturally familiar voice of God. To recognize Jesus’ voice is to respond to the call of grace, trust in His teachings, and follow into the fullness of life He offers. Only by humbly admitting our need for His guidance can we, like the sheep, allow Him to lead us to green pastures and salvation.
Reflect today on the fact that God calls out to you day and night. Do you recognize His voice? Or do you, like the Pharisees, turn away from Him? Following the Good Shepherd begins with an intimate familiarity with His divine presence in our lives. We must become as familiar with Him as an infant is with its mother or as sheep are with their faithful shepherd. Failure to recognize the Good Shepherd’s voice leaves us lost and unable to care for ourselves. Jesus desires to lead us, care for us, and bring us to the abundant pastures of new life. Become familiar with Him and listen to His voice alone, and like the blind man, you will begin to see in ways you never have before, through the eyes of faith.
Jesus, my Good Shepherd, You call to me day and night, but so often I fail to hear and respond to Your gentle voice. Please free me from blindness caused by my own sin so that I can humbly turn to You and follow Your consoling and familiar voice. Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I trust in You.
The Fulfillment of Love and Knowledge
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)—Good Shepherd Sunday
I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14–15
One of the most fulfilling experiences in life is to be truly known by another—to enter into a relationship so close, trustworthy, and mutual that each person knows and loves the other through and through. Such close relationships are ideally found within families, including siblings and parents with their children, but especially between spouses. Spouses who know each other thoroughly and intimately find mutual comfort and strength. This form of spousal union is relational on every level—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social.
While our relationship with God is not physical, the perfection of our communion with Him is a union so deep, transforming, and relational that many of the great mystics have referred to it as Mystical Marriage. Just as the ideal earthly marriage is profoundly fulfilling, those who attain Mystical Marriage—also referred to as Divine Union—find themselves fulfilled beyond description.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. He also says, “I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” The first part of that statement is the result of God being God: “I know mine…” God knows us through and through, far better than we know ourselves. He knows our every thought, desire, impulse, and action. God knows us perfectly.
The second part of that statement depends upon our response to God and carries profound significance that we can easily overlook without prayerful contemplation: “…and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” What an amazing calling we have been given! We are called to know God with unfathomable intimacy. We are invited into a relationship with the Most Holy Trinity whereby God promises to open Himself to us, revealing the profound depths of His divine nature and lavishing upon us His perfect love. Those saints who reached this divine intimacy—achieving Mystical Marriage or Divine Union—were so fulfilled that nothing could surpass their joy. God’s love for them, and their intimate knowledge of God, transcended every other earthly satisfaction. As a result, their hearts overflowed with superabundant love, and they lavished that love upon others.
Intimacy with God, and even with one another, is essentially a self-revelation to the other and a reception of that knowledge by the other. While this ideal extends to Christian marriage, familial relationships, and Christ-centered friendships, the perfection of such relational love and union is ultimately found only with God in this life and shared among the angels and saints in the next. In fact, in addition to the full revelation of God through the Beatific Vision in Heaven, our intimate and relational knowledge of each angel and saint will add to the fulfillment we receive.
Reflect today on Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Who knows His sheep perfectly and desires that we know Him, just as the Father knows Him and He knows the Father. Look deep within your soul to discover the desire to be known by God and to know Him—a desire often obscured by past relationships that have left us wounded. Seek to reclaim that holy desire, knowing that God has already done His part. He knows you with perfect knowledge. He now invites you to journey toward Divine Union, allowing Him to reveal, in ever-deepening ways, the knowledge of Who He is. Choose that intimacy, that relationship of love, and rejoice as you experience the fulfillment your soul longs for.
Most Holy Trinity, the love and knowledge shared among You is beyond all human comprehension, even when fully revealed in Heaven. Yet You desire to reveal Yourself to us so that our intimate and relational knowledge of You perfectly fulfills our every desire. Please give me the courage I need to get to know You. Please remove every wound and obstacle so that I may know and love You as perfectly as possible. Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I trust in You.
Hearing, Following, and Receiving
Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year C)—Good Shepherd Sunday
Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.” John 10:27–28
Do you hear God’s voice? Today’s Gospel tells us very clearly that those who are among Jesus’ sheep hear Him, follow Him, and are given eternal life. We cannot receive eternal life if we do not follow the Good Shepherd, and we cannot follow Him if we do not hear His voice. God’s voice must resonate within our bodies and souls, reaching ever deeper levels. Though His voice is clear and definitive, we hear Him to varying degrees and in different ways, depending on how well we have listened and responded in the past. Hearing Him must become a habit that we perfect with His help.
By analogy, when two people begin dating, communication is often challenging. After decades of a loving marriage, communication becomes far easier. Consider two very loving spouses in their nineties who have been married for over seventy years. When one spouse says something to the other, their communication is based on decades of intimate knowledge. For example, if the wife were to meet someone for the first time and say, “I like to read,” she communicates something about herself. If she said that in the presence of her husband, he would instantly hear her statement within the entire context of their marriage, recalling the many books she has read, her thoughts on them, and her favorites. Similarly, if the husband says, “I’m tired,” the wife understands this within the context of his health, recent sleep patterns, and what typically fatigues him.
God knows us perfectly, far better than the spouses in any loving marriage know each other. Jesus speaks this truth definitively in today’s Gospel: “I know them.” Because He is God, His knowledge is far from superficial; rather, it encompasses everything about His sheep—every thought, feeling, weakness, hurt, sin, habit, joy, and action.
When we begin to listen to and respond to the voice of the Good Shepherd, our weakness and sin often cloud our understanding. Communication is often hindered, not because of God, but because we have not yet come to know Him or understand His ways. We are not God. We are not all-knowing. Therefore, if we desire to be among Jesus’ flock, we must come to know the Good Shepherd’s voice over time. Like loving spouses, we must become familiar with God’s ways, His desires, and the patterns of His communication.
Consider how much time and effort go into building a relationship with another that is based on thorough and good communication. So it is with God. Daily prayer is essential—not just once a week or occasionally, but every single day. During our prayer, we must listen. We must learn God’s language. Sometimes He speaks to us by consoling us with a passage of Scripture. Sometimes he communicates through feelings of desolation, indicating we are not doing what He says. We must study, be familiar with the saints, and learn Church teaching to continually fill our minds with truth and combat the many lies communicated to us in the world, or by our weak and fallen human nature.
The more familiar we become with God’s voice, the clearer it becomes. The clearer God’s voice becomes, the greater is our responsibility to obey with unwavering reverence, gratitude, and love. The result is eternal life—not just after death, but here and now. Eternal life is the fruit of a loving relationship with God, built on a solid foundation of listening, hearing, understanding, and responding. Living in eternity here and now means our spirits are drawn into God’s life, sharing in His Resurrection through a union of love.
Reflect today on your relationship with the Good Shepherd. If you are unfamiliar with His voice, then commit yourself to the hard work of getting to know Him. Form daily habits of prayer. Fill your mind with the Scriptures. Read about the saints. Practice devotions. Doing so will lead you to the abundant green pastures of grace.
All-knowing God, You have probed the very depths of my being and know me through and through. I want to know You as You know me and as You and the Father know each other. Help me to learn to communicate with You, to listen and obey, so that I may follow You as You lead me into eternal life, both now and in Heaven. Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I trust in You.
The Courage of the Good Shepherd
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter (Year A)
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.” John 10:11–13
What is it that makes a shepherd “good?” A shepherd’s duties require great sacrifice and time. Like a mother who is always attentive to her newborn, a shepherd devotes his time and energies to the care of his flock. In biblical times, shepherds often lived in caves on the outskirts of towns, where there were plenty of green pastures, space for the sheep to roam, and water sources. The caves provided a place of safety at night and shelter from the elements. During the day, the shepherd watched over the flock in an almost fatherly way, knowing that if he were to neglect his duties and become inattentive, a sheep could wander off or fall victim to a pack of wolves.
Jesus expands this familiar image to convey an even greater reality of divine love and sacrifice. In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes this image of a shepherd to a whole new level. He says: “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Though this might not have been part of the normal job description of a shepherd, perhaps those who were listening would have made a connection. Some might have understood what Jesus taught in a figurative way, calling to mind the time and commitment shepherds make. And though there is a figurative lesson to be learned, Jesus’ teaching was more than that.
Jesus first identified Himself as the Good Shepherd. He then defines what that means: He will lay down His life for His sheep. Though His listeners likely missed His meaning, Saint John, while writing his Gospel, fully understood Jesus’ words to be not only figurative but also literal—Jesus would die on the Cross for the sins of His sheep.
The metaphor continues with Jesus contrasting a hired worker with a true shepherd of his own sheep. In the face of danger, a hired worker flees for his own safety, while the shepherd stands and fights for his sheep, even to death. This clearly depicts what Jesus has done for us, but it also reveals our duty toward all of God’s people, His flock.
As members of Christ’s Body, the Church, we are called to share in His shepherding mission. Our vocations will especially dictate to us ways in which we are called to do so. Parents, for example, must be so devoted to their children that they value their children’s lives more than their own. Priests and religious are called to be shepherds who guide and protect their flocks spiritually. Each of us, however, must participate in Christ’s shepherding mission in the ways we are called. While the way this is lived will vary, the degree to which it is lived must not. We are called to lead lives that are sacrificial, selfless, and wholly self-giving. Courageously and completely, we must lay our lives down for others, imitating the Good Shepherd’s commitment to His flock.
In communion with the Good Shepherd, we are invited to show this courage in daily acts of charity, fidelity to our commitments, and steadfast love for those entrusted to our care. Through this radical love, we reveal Christ’s presence to the world and share in His mission to gather all into one fold under the divine Shepherd. As we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection, we remember that this joy was won through the courageous love of our Good Shepherd.
Reflect today on Jesus’ perfect fulfillment of His mission to be the Good Shepherd. As you ponder His courage, sacrifice, and selfless love, know that He not only acts as the Good Shepherd to you, but He also invites you to share in His shepherding. How courageous are you when given the opportunity to be selfless for the good of another? How willing are you to seek the others’ salvation, even at great cost to yourself? Charity is at the heart of Jesus’ mission, and that same charity must permeate everything we do as we relate to those whom we are called to love. Honor and thank the Good Shepherd by participating in His mission and laying down your life for God’s flock.
My Good Shepherd, You have laid down Your life for us, Your sheep, dying a painful death on the Cross. Your courage and sacrifice save us from sin and the evil one, opening the path to eternal life. I accept Your selfless sacrifice in my life and commit to share in that sacrifice by laying my life down for others, so that they will come to know You and share in eternal life. Jesus, I trust in You.
A Voice of Safety and Clarity
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter (Year B & C)
“But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.” John 10:2–4
Today’s metaphor of the shepherd and his sheep offers clear imagery by which we can examine our relationship with Christ and His Church. The passage begins with the sheep in the safety of the sheepfold. In ancient Israel, a sheepfold was a walled enclosure, often made of stone or thorny branches, designed to protect sheep during the night from predators and thieves. It served as a place of security and rest, with a single narrow gate for access. The gate was typically guarded, either by a gatekeeper or, in some cases, by the shepherd himself, who might lie across the opening to serve as the literal “gate.”
Jesus’ listeners would have immediately understood this imagery of the sheepfold as a place of safety. Today, the spiritual sheepfold in which we must rest is the Church. Christ established the Church as the means of salvation. The Church is both a visible and a mystical reality. The visible Church is the community of the faithful, united under the hierarchical structure established by Christ, with the pope and bishops in communion with him as its shepherds, administering the Sacraments and proclaiming the Word of God. The mystical dimension of the Church is the Body of Christ, which unites all believers—on earth, in purgatory, and in Heaven—in a profound and eternal communion with Him.
We are spiritual members of His Mystical Body to the extent that we remain in communion with Christ and His visible Church. This spiritual and visible communion is expressed in our faithful reception of the Sacraments and our adherence to the Truth of the Gospel as taught by the Magisterium. The pope and bishops, as successors of the Apostles, guide us into the truths necessary for salvation, ensuring that the Church remains a safe refuge from error and sin. By grounding ourselves in the Truth, proclaimed and clarified by the Church, and by actively participating in the Sacraments, we remain securely within the sheepfold of the Church, protected and nourished by divine grace.
This imagery is essential to understand. Consider the sheep who choose to stray from the safety of the fold and reject the guidance of the shepherd and gatekeeper. These sheep become vulnerable, wandering into spiritual danger, unprotected from the wolves of sin, error, and despair. It is tempting, especially in times of scandal or weakness among Church leaders, to distrust the human shepherds charged with the care of the sheepfold. However, the flaws of the gatekeepers and shepherds do not change the fact that the Church itself is our refuge, our sanctuary, and the means by which Christ saves and nourishes us. To abandon the Church because of human failings is to risk leaving the safety of the sheepfold.
The Church is not only a place of safety; it is also where the Good Shepherd enters and calls us by name. Though at times the Good Shepherd goes in search of a stray sheep, His primary interaction with us as His flock is within the sheepfold and while leading us to green pastures. Common to both experiences is the voice of the Good Shepherd. We first hear Him call to us within the visible structures of the Church—through the proclamation of His Word, the grace of the Sacraments, and the guidance of the shepherds entrusted with His flock. Then He leads us forth into the green pastures of a spiritual journey, nourishing us through the Eucharist, guiding us in prayer, and cultivating within us the virtues that draw us into greater union with Him.
Reflect today on the ways you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd within the Church. Do you recognize His call through the Word, the Sacraments, and the guidance of His shepherds? Consider how He is calling to you, inviting you on a journey to deeper prayer, greater trust, and spiritual growth. Listen attentively to His voice and trust that by following Him, you will always find safety, nourishment, and abundant life.
Good Shepherd, I thank You for the safety You provide within the confines of the Sheepfold of Your Church. As you call to me within Your Church, give me the courage to be attentive and follow You wherever You lead so as to grow in holiness as I feed on the green pastures of Your grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
Do We Listen?
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe…” John 10:22–25
How often does the Lord speak to us, yet we fail to listen? Like the Jews in today’s Gospel, we might ask, “Lord, tell me plainly Your will!” Jesus responds, “I told you, and you do not listen.” His voice is constant, but we must become attuned to it.
Jesus speaks first through Scripture, especially the Gospels. As St. Jerome reminds us, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Through Scripture and the teaching of the Magisterium, which safeguards and interprets God’s Word, we receive clarity and direction for every age. At times, the Holy Spirit even illuminates a particular passage to guide us in a specific way.
God speaks through the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, where His grace cleanses, strengthens, and reveals His will. Prayer, too, is essential. Fidelity to daily prayer deepens our ability to hear God, fostering the silence and trust needed for intimacy with Him. Finally, God speaks through daily life—through others, the beauty of creation, and even our crosses.
Despite the abundant ways God speaks to us, distractions, fear, pride, and a lack of trust often prevent us from hearing Him. We may expect God to speak dramatically or on our terms, missing His gentle, consistent voice. But the more we quiet our hearts, immerse ourselves in His Word, and trust in His providence, the more we will hear and follow our divine Shepherd.
Jesus goes on to say, “The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me” (John 10:25). Though He was speaking to the Jews about His miracles, the authority of His sermons, and the witness of His sacred life, He says the same to us. Jesus’ works illuminate His Word and will in our lives.
If we want to be among Jesus’ sheep, we must hear His voice and follow Him. What’s most consoling about today’s Gospel is that Jesus says of His sheep: “No one can take them out of my hand” (John 10:28). If we do our part in listening and following His voice, His promise is to keep us safe, firmly united with Him. When that happens, nothing can harm us, nothing can steal away our peace, and nothing can keep us from God.
Reflect today on how well you listen and are attentive to God’s guiding voice. What distractions or fears prevent you from hearing Him? Begin by removing one barrier and committing to moments of daily silence to grow in prayerful attentiveness. Immerse yourself in the Scriptures, align yourself with the teachings of His Church, participate faithfully in the Sacraments, and foster greater fidelity to daily prayer. Trust in Jesus’ promise that as you strive to hear His voice and follow Him, He will hold you securely in His loving care. Allow His voice to guide you daily, leading you to the peace and joy only He can give.
My ever-present Lord, You call me day and night, revealing Your will and inviting me to follow You, yet distractions often drown out Your voice. Free me from all that hinders me and help me to form habits of prayer and attentiveness so that I may know You and follow You faithfully. Jesus, I trust in You.
Truly Seeing God
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” John 12:44–46
Do you want to see God? Our faith teaches that those who die in a state of grace will enjoy the Beatific Vision, the clearest and most intense perception of God’s essence and glory. For those still in need of purification, God’s mercy provides the gift of Purgatory, preparing them to gaze upon Him for eternity. In Heaven, all will see God face-to-face and experience perfect happiness in communion with Him and all the saints. But the promise of seeing God does not begin only in Heaven. Through faith, we begin to see Him even now. Do you see the Father?
Jesus promises, “Whoever believes in me also believes in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.” On earth, Jesus revealed the Father as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). Though Jesus’ divinity was veiled within His humanity, faith allowed His followers to perceive the Father’s presence through Him. To look upon Jesus was truly to gaze upon God, even if God’s full glory was hidden.
Today, after Jesus’ Ascension, His presence remains with us, especially in the Eucharist. Though our senses perceive only bread and wine, faith reveals that we are gazing upon God. As Saint Thomas Aquinas proclaimed in Tantum Ergo, “Faith for all defects supplying, where the feeble senses fail.” When we approach the Eucharist with faith, we see Jesus, and through Him, we see the Father.
Beyond the Eucharist, we encounter God’s presence every time we are touched by grace, perform an act of charity, receive the Sacraments, or prayerfully read His Word. God reveals Himself in hidden form through these moments, inviting us to recognize Him with the eyes of faith.
Jesus also said, “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” This light is perceived in our souls through an interior illumination that assures us of God’s presence and action in our lives. Faith enables us to see His work and know for certain that He is near. Do you see this Light? Do you see the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?
Doubt, the opposite of faith, brings darkness into our lives. While doubt is a common human struggle, God invites us to move beyond it. Authentic faith, bestowed by God, grants certitude more profound than anything we perceive with our physical senses.
Reflect today on Jesus’ promise that when we see Him, we also see the Father. Is your spiritual vision clear? Do you perceive God’s presence daily? If not, seek Him in prayer, the sacraments, and the grace-filled moments of life. The more we form the habit of seeing God, the more attuned we will become to His presence. This habit prepares us for the glorious day when we will see Him face-to-face in Heaven, beholding Him in eternal joy and love.
My ever-present Lord, though You ascended into Heaven, You remain with us by grace. Your true presence touches me day by day. Help me to see You, and through You, to see the Father. Give me this spiritual sight so that I can walk with You in this life and enjoy You forever in the next. Jesus, I trust in You.
Love Perfected by Humility
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.” John 13:16–17
Today’s Gospel comes from the Last Supper, just after Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. What an act of humility! By analogy, it would be as if a king knelt before his servants to polish their shoes, setting aside his glory to attend to their most basic needs. This act would teach them that true greatness lies not in power but in love and humble service. Such an act would make quite an impression on those servants, helping them understand their duty within the king’s royal court and their responsibility toward the people of the kingdom.
The Apostles might not have understood the full meaning of Jesus’ act of humility that Holy Thursday evening. As time went on, however, and the Apostles embraced their roles as spiritual leaders of the early Church, Jesus’ actions would have become the foundation of their understanding of servant leadership—one that they themselves were called to imitate as shepherds of Christ’s flock. Leadership in the Kingdom of God is not about seeking honors or recognition but about humbling oneself in selfless service to others. This includes not only leaders within the Church, but also leaders within the community and within families.
Jesus’ example becomes even more impactful when we consider the presence of Judas at this intimate moment. The Gospel goes on to reveal that Jesus acknowledged that one of those whose feet He washed would betray Him. He served Judas anyway. In this one act, Jesus not only demonstrated humility but also showed that His love knows no boundaries, extending even to those who would reject and betray Him.
In our lives, when we encounter those who betray us or sin against us in any way, we are immediately tempted to lash out. Imitating Jesus, however, requires us to humble ourselves even before the worst of sinners, rather than condemn them. Jesus did not approve of Judas’ betrayal. Instead, He identified it by quoting Psalm 41:10: “The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.” Then, to reassure the remaining disciples of His divine mission, He said: “From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM” (John 13:19).
Jesus was essentially saying that once the other eleven Apostles learned of Judas’ betrayal, they would understand that only God—I AM—is capable of humbly loving and serving those who sin against Him. As the Apostles reflected on Jesus’ act in the days and years to come, they would have recognized that such love transcends human capacity and points to the divine. Jesus’ willingness to serve Judas, knowing full well the betrayal to come, reveals that God’s love is not dependent on human strength but flows unconditionally, offering even sinners the chance for redemption. Each of us is called to participate in that same depth of love.
Reflect today on Jesus’ unconditional humility and love and His call to imitate Him. Consider the relationships in your life: Are there people from whom you have withheld love or forgiveness? Is there anyone whom you refuse to serve with humility? Ask for the grace to love as Jesus loved, to serve even those who have hurt you, and to bear witness to the divine humility of Christ, who loved without limits. Pray for the grace to take a concrete step today to reconcile with someone you struggle to love or forgive, imitating Christ’s humility and boundless love. In doing so, you not only follow His example but also become a living witness to His ongoing presence in the world.
My humble Lord, You love everyone with perfection, even serving those who have betrayed You. In doing so, You have set an example for us to follow. Please give me the grace I need to imitate You by humbling myself before others, even those who have sinned against me. Strengthen me in moments of betrayal, so that I may respond with love and humility. Jesus, I trust in You.
Hope During the Uncertainties of Life
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” John 14:1–2
We all need hope, especially in the face of life’s uncertainties. The inspired virtue of hope is much more than wishful thinking. It’s a supernatural gift by which we are strengthened to persevere through challenges, trusting in God’s promises and His fidelity. Hope sustains us, even in the darkest and most painful moments.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers His disciples—and us—the antidote to fear and uncertainty: hope rooted in faith. His words at the Last Supper are intended to strengthen the Apostles for the sorrowful events of His Passion. Though they did not yet fully understand what was about to unfold, Jesus gave them this loving command: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”
In the light of the Resurrection, imagine the Apostles reflecting on these words. They would have recalled the confusion and despair they experienced during Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and burial. But after encountering the risen Christ, their sorrow turned to joy, and their doubt to unshakable faith. In hindsight, they would have realized they didn’t need to let their hearts be troubled—they should have trusted in His promise.
The Apostles’ journey from fear and guilt to hope and strength is a reminder for us all. We, too, can look back on moments when we failed to trust in God during painful times. Despair, one of the most painful human experiences, extinguishes hope and leaves us feeling abandoned. But even in our failures, God is present, ready to transform our weakness into supernatural hope. By humbly confessing our lack of trust, we open our hearts to His healing grace and allow Him to prepare us for future trials.
Just as the Apostles grew in hope through their encounter with the risen Christ, so too did Mary, the Mother of Hope, model unwavering faith even in the midst of profound sorrow. Standing at the foot of the Cross, her heart was pierced with sorrow, but she remained firm in faith and trust. Her hope was based on her certainty that God’s plan would be fulfilled through her Son’s Passion. In times of trial, turn to Mary, who will guide you in placing your trust in her Son and in the eternal promises of His love.
Reflect today on Jesus’ loving command: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” He has prepared a place for you in His Father’s house—a place where there will be no more sin and suffering. By keeping your eyes fixed on this eternal promise, you can overcome the fears and struggles of this life, trusting that God’s providence will guide you. Trust that He is already preparing a place for you in His Father’s house, and let this hope sustain you, transforming every sorrow into joy and every trial into a step closer to the eternal happiness that awaits you.
Lord of perfect hope, at times I allow fear and suffering to overwhelm me, leading me to despair. Please give me the grace to listen and respond to Your loving invitation. May I never allow my heart to be troubled by life’s circumstances and crosses, but instead, have faith in You and Your promises of everlasting life. Jesus, I trust in You.
Praying in Jesus’ Name
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12–14
Have you ever prayed repeatedly for something, only to feel your prayer was unanswered? In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises that if we ask anything in His name, He will do it. How do we reconcile unanswered prayers with Jesus’ promise?
To pray in Jesus’ name is not a formula that guarantees instant results, as if prayers were magical. Saying “In Jesus’ Name, Amen” with confidence at the end of a prayer does not compel God to grant our requests. Faith is not about convincing ourselves that God will fulfill our desires but about placing our trust in His divine will. To understand Jesus’ promise, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do” (John 14:13), we must first recognize His perfect unity with the Father. Jesus’ words and works flow entirely from this union, and He invites us to share in this relationship by aligning our will with His and the Father’s will.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus began to address His unity with the Father after curing a crippled man on the Sabbath. When the Pharisees questioned Him about it, Jesus responded, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work” (John 5:17). This infuriated the Jews, who tried to kill Him because He “called God his own father, making himself equal to God” (John 5:18). From that point on, Jesus became increasingly clear about His divine identity and union with the Father, emphasizing that He was sent by the Father, that He and the Father are one, and that everything He spoke and did originated from this unity. When Jesus cured someone, it was because it was His Father’s will. If He didn’t cure someone, it wasn’t because He lacked divine ability; it was because, in the mystery of the Trinity’s perfect wisdom, it wasn’t the will of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God’s will is always perfect and produces the greatest good, even when we do not understand that good.
The Son is distinct from the Father, yet there is a perfect communion of being, will, and action. Though we are not God, when Jesus says to His disciples—and to us—“If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it,” He is inviting us to share in the Trinity’s will and action. We do not become divine as the Father and Son are, but we are invited into their union of will and action so that when we speak, it is Christ speaking in and through us. When we act, it is Jesus acting. And when Jesus speaks or acts in us, the Father also speaks and acts. It is in this way that Jesus promises to grant whatever we ask when we ask in His name.
Praying in Jesus’ name requires great humility and surrender. Accepting God’s will often requires great trust, especially when it involves suffering. For example, if it were God’s permissive will that someone you love endure a long and difficult illness, offering his or her suffering as a sacrificial act for God’s glory, would you willingly pray for such an outcome? Doing so would be difficult, but if our prayer is united with God’s will, we will see that such suffering, embraced sacrificially, can produce greater good than physical healing. Jesus’ own Passion is the ultimate example, as He submitted to the Father’s will, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Reflect today on how you pray and what you pray for. At the very least, our every prayer should end with: “May Your will be done.” An even deeper way to pray in Jesus’ name is to surrender our preferences for the outcome of a circumstance, seeking only God’s glory and the salvation of souls, and entrusting ourselves and our prayers to the will of God. That way, as we truly pray in Jesus’ name, we will be certain that those prayers will be answered.
Most Holy Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are One God in three divine Persons. Your unity is perfect, accomplishing all things in harmony. Please draw me into union with You so that all I do and all I pray for flows from Your perfect will, giving You glory and bringing about the salvation of souls. Most Holy Trinity, I trust in You.
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