Daily Reflection for Thursday April 01, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday's readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040121-Evening.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Responsorial: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel: John 13:1-15
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
Do you realize what I have done for you? (John 13:12)
I read today’s Gospel with complete presence and open heart. Jesus says to his friends, his beloved community, His intimate followers and to us, “do you realize what I have done for you?” It is a question that I cannot fully answer from my mind. I sit in quiet and search for an answer. As I pause in silence, I realize that the response is brought forth from the depth of my heart and inner spirit.
When I move internally to that inner heart space to my upper room, I call forth an answer that is not revealed from my intellect. It is revealed from a place that understands the transformation of suffering—a place where my suffering has stood face-to-face with love—that place where my deepest grief met relief through Love—where sorrow from the sting of rejection was embraced by Divine acceptance—and where hopelessness during times of dark despair found the Light unto the path to sacred hope.
Jesus’ question is powerful. He asks us this question in his darkest hours. The weight of betrayal, false accusation, and physical suffering is increasing, and He knows His hour is near. And yet as He weighed heavy with burden, He asks the question, always waiting for us to respond with a yes and never forcing an answer. “Do you realize what I have done for you?”
“Yes, Lord I realize,” is my answer. He then whispers in return, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
May your answer to Jesus’ question come forth from a place where suffering has met Love,
Margarita Solis Deal