Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 23, 2022
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive
and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form
to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
They returned and told the others;
but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
When reading today’s gospel, the phrase, “they did not believe,” really hit home for me. How many times have I encountered Jesus in my life, but did not believe?
Like so many, my life has been full of ups and downs. From marriage issues to a child with cancer, my lows have been pretty low. It is during the hardest times that I crave Jesus. I long for him, but I don’t always feel that he is near.
It is then that the second appearance of Jesus in today’s gospel becomes my guide. “After this he appeared in another form.” How many times does Jesus appear in our lives but in a form that we aren’t expecting?
I teach at a Catholic high school. I am surrounded by the living Jesus in my students and co-workers, my friends and family. When my dad was going through cancer treatment, a student and her family prayed a rosary for him. When my daughter was going through chemo, my co-workers fed us. When things are hard, friends and family envelope us in prayer.
So, during those times when I crave Jesus but do not believe that he is present, I need to look no further than the people who surround me with his love. If you are like Jesus’ companions and do not realize that he is alive in your life, turn to those who love and support you. It is there that you will see the loving face of our Savior.
Prayer
God of all wisdom and grace, you fill us with unwavering zeal to proclaim the truth of our faith wherever your Spirit leads us. Give us courage and determination to live out our faith even amid this harsh and challenging world. May our lives reflect your radiance as you lead us into your promise of everlasting life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. George is one of the most decorated and venerated saints in the Catholic tradition, yet all we really know of him is that he was a soldier and a martyr. He was a Roman soldier in Palestine who stood up to the emperor where Christian persecutions began around the year 300. For this, he was beheaded.
His story seems to have been told among English armies visiting the Holy Land during the Crusades. Convinced of the power of his intercession, soldiers returned to England with a devotion to this saint. From there, many stories were told to fill the curiosity of the faithful, including a tale of George slaying a dragon.
The story tells of a dragon terrorizing a kingdom. The people of the area kept the dragon satiated with gifts of sheep, but when livestock ran out, human sacrifice was required. Victims were chosen by lot, and one day the king’s own daughter was chosen. George rode into the city on his noble steed while this was taking place, and slayed the dragon with one blow. He then gave a stirring speech that converted thousands to be baptized. He was given a great reward, but gave it all to the poor and rode off into the sunset.
Fairytale or not, devotion to George was real, and he is patron of many cities, as well as England and Canada. His feast day used to be one of the biggest holidays of the year in Europe, rivaling Christmas, and a holy day of obligation for Catholics in England until 1778. He is also patron of soldiers, as well as those who work with sheep and horses. His courage and honor also make him patron of the Boy Scouts.
The relics of the martyr, St. George, rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. The image above is a depiction of St. George slaying the dragon by the Renaissance master, Raphael.
St. George, brave soldier and martyr, patron saint of England and of Boy Scouts—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. George is in the public domain. Last accessed February 21, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
