Daily Gospel Reflection for April 15, 2018

Today's Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 - 3rd Sunday of Easter I often think about what it would have been like to live in the era of the Gospels. To hear Jesus preach, to sit at His feet, to see Him crucified, and then to rejoice at His resurrection! I try to practice the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola, which encourage me to meditate on and “be” in such scenes from Christ's life. They are a way to place myself in His presence and experience what that would have been like. Surely, I think, if I can contemplate His life better, and “be” more nearly in His presence, I will become a better Christian. I will understand things that I now find difficult, and be able to follow Jesus with all my mind, heart, and soul. And then I hear verse 45 of today’s Gospel. “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Even those who lived and walked with Jesus needed His help to grasp all that He was and did. If I’m honest, I have to admit that I’m not very good at Ignatian contemplation. It’s not likely that my efforts are going to get me very far on the road to holiness. If the disciples and apostles needed divine help, so do I!

Ponder:

In what area of faith do I need to have my mind opened right now? How does Jesus want to help me to come closer to being the person He created me to be?

Pray:

Jesus, open my mind! Help me to know You better and love You more. Give me grace to enable me to grow into who You have made me to be.

Copyright 2018 Ellen Thomas Ellen Thomas has been married to Roger for 36 years, and has 6 children, 6 children-in-law, and 16 grandchildren (as of the end of 2017.) She loves knitting, reading (mysteries and sci-fi are among her favorites,) singing in the choir, and cooking lots of food for family and friends. She lives near a Great Lake in Michigan. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required