Daily Gospel Reflection for April 6, 2024: Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 16:9-15

We are still within the Octave of Easter. In other words, it’s still Easter morning! Today’s Gospel reflects that, as Mark recaps the various appearances the risen Lord made that Easter day: to Mary Magdalene and to the two walking along the way.

Despite these first-hand accounts, the eleven Apostles themselves still do not believe the news.

But now, later on Easter Day, Jesus appears to them. The Apostles encounter the resurrected Christ face-to-face. They see Him, hear His voice, and feel His presence.

It makes me think how a person can know a great deal about Jesus and the Catholic faith—maybe through personal studies or by earning an advanced degree in theology, for example. Or how someone can hear a lot about Jesus from other people. While knowing about Jesus is good, it’s simply not enough.

There is no substitute for an intimate and personal friendship with Jesus Christ. Like the Apostles, I need a real encounter with Him. I can’t just know about our Lord from other people; I must know Him myself. I need to be on speaking terms with Him. I need to open my heart to Him. I need to stop doing and just bask in His love.

And while it is my duty as a parent to catechize my children in the Catholic faith, I must remember that it involves more than textbooks or rote memorization. I want to lead my children into a close friendship with Christ. He is their best friend Who gave His life for them!

It’s that kind of powerful, energizing closeness with Christ that will embolden us all to go out into the whole world and preach the Gospel!

Ponder:

How does my life reflect that Christ is my best friend?

Pray:

Jesus, my resurrected Lord, help me to preach the Gospel to the whole world, beginning with my own family, today.

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There is no substitute for an intimate and personal friendship with Jesus Christ. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2024 Cassandra Spellman