Daily Gospel Reflection for April 13, 2023: Thursday in the Octave of Easter

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

Reflection by Margaret Ann Stimatz

Today's Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

“Peace be with you.”

How much the disciples needed to soak in those words. Soothing, calming, life-giving words they were, but at first, their balm could not penetrate. For the disciples, the anguish was still too fresh. Gloom and confusion lingered. The last few days were a blur, and, emotionally, the disciples were all over the map. After the Last Supper, most had fled, unable to deal with the horrors as His passion gave way to death and burial. Today, a few of their number were claiming to have seen Him alive. How unbelievable was that? How could it be? What in the world was happening?

Then without a second of warning, a figure stands in their midst. An apparition—surely a ghost. No wonder they hunkered in terror. But Jesus knew how much they needed assurance. Like little children, they needed "show and tell"-   to look at His hands, His feet, His side. To see His wounds. To touch. As the disciples looked, they saw. They listened and the voice they knew and loved assured them again, “Peace be with you.” This time it registered. This time His peace washed over their souls. Doubts and fears lifted and they found themselves bubbling over with amazement and quiet joy. And there was more. As He went on speaking in that beloved voice, at last they calmed down and could really listen. He opened their minds and at last they could think straight. They started to make new connections, and scripture passages which in the past had only baffled them, began to make sense for the very first time.

Ponder:

Where in my life do I, like a little child, need the assurance of Jesus today?

Pray:

Lord, please help me breathe slowly, breathe in Your peace. Let it flood over me, that I may rest a moment in Your presence; and as I go out to face my day, let me carry Your peace wherever I may go.

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Jesus knows how much we need His assurance. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Margaret Ann Stimatz

Margaret Ann has contributed to Catholic Mom since 2018. Currently, she is working to publish her first book, Hone from the Rock: A Forty-Day Retreat for Troubled Eaters.