They took Jesus with them in the boat

"Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion." (Mark 4:36-38)

Reflection: If the turbulent sea represents the chaos of everyday life, then the sleepy boat represents the trusty sanctuary of the Church. It often seems that, while we disciples fret and worry about the dangerous climate in the church today, God seems to be unaware and powerless against the storm. The truth is, God knows the storm is passing.

Fidelity to one’s religious tradition means that we trust in the constant care of Jesus Christ, not in the changing motions of the world. Jesus asks, “Why are you terrified?” After prayerfully checking in with God, we do find the wind has ceased and there is great calm.

Now where’s that cushion?

They will look upon Him

"They will look upon him whom they have pierced." (John 19:37)

Reflection: This line comes from the gospel reading for Friday, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What does it mean to look upon Jesus whose holy heart is pierced and on fire?

I remember as a child looking upon the face of Jesus in a large framed image of the Sacred Heart which my family had hanging in the upstairs hall. The eyes of Jesus seemed to follow me wherever I stood to look. But below his eyes, his heart was center -- as if to suggest that self-giving love is the centerpoint of human history. Despite the piercing reality of evil and suffering, we are still on fire with love. And this is a love that is poured out to both God and neighbor every day.

One must eventually take his eyes off the framed picture and dare to look also into the eyes of the poor and imprisoned. Only then will the Truth of God's love set people free.

This is my body

While they were eating,he took bread, said the blessing,broke it, gave it to them, and said,"Take it; this is my body."Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,and they all drank from it. (Matthew 14:22,23)

Reflection: What was Jesus indicating when He said "This is my body?" The bread? His own self? The gathered believers? You?

Yes to all of these.

Next time you gaze upon yourself in the mirror, see how you gain a deeper sense of responsibility and gratitude about your life when you consider that your own body is actually "on loan" from God. Jesus indicates that your baptized body actually participates in His own life and is to be used and directed for His greater glory.

They worshipped, but they doubted

"When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.Then Jesus approached and said to them, ' ...Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,' " (Matt 28:17)

Reflection: Sometimes when we pray or practice ritual, we doubt. We wonder: is anyone there? Does this really mean anything? What next? Jesus answers all our doubts by providing a "second step" to prayer. That is: GO.

The Lord is indeed present to us, and is with us always, but we often realize that only after we get up from our prayer space and go out to connect with other people and circumstances in the world.

To what action does God send you today? After you read this reflection, where to next?

He showed them his hands ...

"Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side." (John 20:19,20)

Reflection: Was Jesus just a show off? Was he proud of his battle scars? No, he extends peace to his friends right in their midst and presents a physical challenge that peace is more than a nice-sounding word. It requires bodily work.

In what way can your hands and your heart reveal that you too “side” with the kind of peace Jesus exhibits? How will your body work for that self-sacrificing love? Perhaps in a healing touch? Maybe in your listening longer to someone who needs your heart-felt attention? Or should you side with the poor in some way this week?

St. Ignatius Loyola says, “Love is shown more in actions than in words.” Today we ask the Holy Spirit to fill our bodies with the power to make lasting peace as Jesus did … with real and physical confirmation in our bodies.