Daily Reflection for Thursday, April 16, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday's readings at this link: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040220.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Acts 3:11-26
Responsorial: Psalm 8:2 and 5, 6-7, 8-9
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
You are witnesses of these things (Luke 24: 48)
As I look out my window this mid-April day, the grass is covered with snow. I sit in wonderment not only in its beauty but the longing for spring to come, for the cold to transition to warm evenings and to open my windows to the breezes of April.
There is much I long for during these days. I long for walks of calmness and not avoiding the approaching neighbor walking her dog. I long for the sign of peace during Sunday mass. I long for visiting the elderly community of religious women who I have befriended over the past few years. I have this deep longing and yearning for the return to another place and another time.
I read today’s readings with yearning in my heart. And while the disciples’ hearts were on fire of the resurrection and while they witnessed without fear, I wonder if they longed for the days when life was not turned upside down. Jesus knew this longing. He knew that even in resurrection they needed support and assurance that He was there yesterday, is here today, and will be here eternally.
We too need assurance today that Jesus was here, is here today, and will be here for eternally. As Easter people, we “are witness of these things.” The longing of our hearts will rest in this promise.
May your longings for another time rest in being Easter people,
Margarita Solis Deal