Reflection for Wednesday, Fourth Week of Easter
Feast of St. Peter Chanel.
TODAY'S WORD
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
John: 12:46 "I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me should not remain in the darkness."
TODAY'S REFLECTION
FIRST READING REFLECTION
In the first reading this morning, the church of Antioch sends two of their most gifted members to parts of the Roman Empire where Christ had not yet been preached.
The sending off of Barnabas and Paul by the church of Antioch involved a real giving on their part.
They were sacrificing two of their most valuable assets for the sake of others whose need was greater.
GOSPEL REFLECTION
In today’s gospel reading Jesus speaks of the one who sent him.
Frequently in John’s gospel, Jesus speaks of God as the one who sent him.
God sent his Son out of love for the world.
God’s sending of his Son was an act of generosity on God’s part, involving a real giving.
The gospel of John also speaks of God as one who gave his Son.
Over the centuries the local church has sent and given some of its most gifted members to proclaim the gospel far from home.
That is the nature of the church and the nature of our lives as Christians.
We give away what is most precious to us so that others can benefit from our resources.
Each local church, each parish, is called not just to serve itself, but to serve other parishes, other local churches, whether next door or far away.
Let's resolve to take lessons from God giving his Son to us, and also the church of Antioch giving its two gifted personalities to the Roman church for the proclamation. In a similar manner let us also resolve to give his Son to each other by sharing our most precious resources.
Happy Wednesday
Let's uphold all our sick and suffering brethren in our prayers.