Daily Gospel Reflection

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April 15, 2025

Tuesday of Holy Week
Jn 13:21-33;36-38
Listen to the Audio Version

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant.
One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved,
was reclining at Jesus’ side.
So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant.
He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him,
“Master, who is it?”
Jesus answered,
“It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”
So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas,
son of Simon the Iscariot.
After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him.
So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him.
Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him,
“Buy what we need for the feast,”
or to give something to the poor.
So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

When he had left, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself,
and he will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
You will look for me, and as I told the Jews,
‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”
Jesus answered him,
“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,
though you will follow later.”
Peter said to him,
“Master, why can I not follow you now?
I will lay down my life for you.”
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?
Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow
before you deny me three times.”

Reflection

Anna Prest ’25
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It is often hard to see and have faith in God’s greater plan when our human desire for certainty and concreteness limits us. Like Peter, we reach out to God and ask things like, “What’s next?” anticipating a future where we are confident, sure, and immediately successful.

As the child of a Navy veteran, I tried to understand from a young age the need to rely on God’s plan. When we moved every two to three years, I left behind a house, friends, and a sense of comfort. Adjusting to each new world was difficult, and I struggled to comprehend my father’s sacrifice and selfless devotion to making the world a better place. Until late high school, I didn’t even consider that the military path might also be for me.

When I started out at Notre Dame’s Naval ROTC unit, I wasn’t sure if I could make it through the program. Balancing early morning workouts, taking extra classes, and finding time to practice my faith seemed impossible for four years. I couldn’t see through to the “next great thing,” and I didn’t feel confident or successful in anything I was doing, so I considered quitting after my first year.

As I look forward to my commissioning into the Navy in May, I now understand that the unknown is not something to be afraid of but the unique and mystical fulfillment of God’s promises to humanity. God is with us in trials and rewards us for our perseverance. Throughout these four years in ROTC, I found lifelong friends and a meaningful purpose. At its simplest, all we can say to God’s call is, “Here I am, send me.” (Is 6:8)

Prayer

Rev. Adam Booth, C.S.C.

Glorious Jesus, you offer us the bread of life. Inspire our desire to follow you wherever you lead, and protect us from any temptation to deny you. We ask this through your most holy name, as you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Anastasia

Anastasia and a friend, Basilissa, were Roman noblewomen who were converted to the faith when they heard the preaching of Sts. Peter and Paul.

When Peter and Paul were killed, these two women removed their bodies at night and provided for their burial. The authorities discovered their actions, and they were arrested and thrown into prison. When they were brought before the court, they acknowledged their faith without fear and were martyred.

The relics of St. Anastasia rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame's campus.

St. Anastasia, you were the Roman martyr who was converted by Peter and Paul—pray for us!