Daily Gospel Reflection for April 12, 2023: Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

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

Today's Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

I have found so many good things in attending a Bible study at my parish. I receive so much from the women who have been in small groups with me. Just last week, a seasoned mom with grown kids shared about how, as her kids were growing up, they tried to “Practice the Pause.”

How many times in the last week have you said to yourself, “If only I had paused and taken a breath, I wouldn’t have reacted like that.” I know most weeks I lose count by Tuesday evening, and that’s probably a good week! Practice the pause. Wait, take a step back, slow down, don’t react before thinking it through. Can’t you picture the disciples in that Emmaus house wishing they had practiced the pause?

Here were two disciples who had given up. They had lost the person they thought could save them and instead of waiting, instead of remembering, they reacted. They left. They didn’t practice the pause.

Waiting is uncomfortable. Waiting isn’t easy. Waiting too often feels like we are helpless, unable to move the situation in a way we desire. We are stuck. The devastation and finality of the cross must have been a weight too much to bear for these disciples. How could good come from the depths of evil they had just witnessed? What was there to wait for?

We know the end of the story and know that there was everything to wait for. Jesus, Savior of the world, the King and Messiah, was in the midst of His great work for our salvation. They just hadn’t paused long enough to see it.

Ponder:

Where is God calling you to practice the pause in your life today?

Pray:

Dearest Jesus, You asked Your disciples to wait for You so that all might be revealed. Help me to recognize the great work You are doing in me and to recognize it will be revealed in Your perfect timing.

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Practice the pause. Wait, take a step back, slow down, don’t react before thinking it through. Can’t you picture the disciples in that Emmaus house wishing they had practiced the pause? #DailyGospel

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