Daily Reflection – Apr 26, 2016

Tuesday 26 April 2016

First Reading: 1 Peter 5:5-14
Responsorial Psalm:
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord
Psalm 88(89):2-3, 6-7, 16-17
Gospel Reading: Mark 16:15-20

Today’s Note: Tuesday of Fifth Week of Easter

Gospel Reading:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

Reflection:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. (John 14:27)

The disciples had more than enough reason to be troubled. Jesus was telling them that he was about to leave and that the “ruler of the world” was on his way (John 14:30). But while the disciples were troubled, Jesus was happy. He knew that his departure would bring them peace. With Jesus at the Father’s right hand, he could pour his Spirit into their hearts, and that Spirit could reveal God’s love to them in newer and deeper ways. Thus would their anxious hearts be put to rest.

So how can we come to know God’s love in the same way? How can we experience the peace that Jesus promised the disciples? The key lies in dynamic prayer. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that prayer should engage “thought, imagination, emotion, and desire” (CCC, 2708). Mobilizing our God-given faculties in this way can bring the truths of our faith to life and lead us ever deeper into the Father’s heart. Prayer works when we ask the Holy Spirit to lift up our natural imagination and give us spiritual insight.

St. Ignatius of Loyola often relied on his imagination when he prayed. With a Bible before him, he would picture the setting and time of whatever story he was reading and then imagine himself in the scene. In his imagination, he would pay close attention to the details and ask Jesus questions about what was going on. Ignatius especially liked to imagine himself at the Last Supper, at the Sermon on the Mount, or on Calvary as he watched Jesus give up his life for us.

Try it yourself. Imagine yourself at one of Ignatius’ favorite scenes or one of your own. What is Jesus saying and doing? What is the expression on his face? What does his voice sound like? Now imagine Jesus talking right to you as the scene is playing out. What message does he have for you today? How can you best respond to him? It’s amazing how much peace you can experience! Jesus can calm your anxious heart, just as he did for the disciples at the Last Supper!

“Father, I want to know you more. Show me your majesty, your love, and your joy. Let the knowledge of you remove my anxieties and fears.”