Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 28, 2021
Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
In this gospel, Jesus challenges us to do more than simply “hear” his word. We must receive his word. Certainly, to receive his word requires something more than simply using our ears. As Christians, to receive his word is to live our faith—to internalize his word such that it is reflected in our everyday lives.
What a challenge it is to consider that, on the last day, the word that Jesus has spoken will serve as our judge. Reflecting on this passage reminds us of some of Jesus’ words that were a challenge even in Jesus’ time.
“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more” (Lk 12:48). Have we given a response commensurate with our blessings?
After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (Jn 13:15). How well do our lives model Jesus’ life of service?
“Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). What have I done to feed the hungry, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, to visit prisoners?
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink” (Jn 6:54-55). Do our lives reveal our belief in the resurrection of the dead and in Jesus’ real presence among us in the Eucharist?
Receiving Jesus’ word, especially his challenging words, requires sacrifice as we try our best to live the Gospel—each day—in every decision we make. But we know that receiving Jesus’ word is receiving the Father who sent him, and “his commandment is eternal life.” Just as they did for Jesus, these words will bring us to life.
Lord we do believe, help our unbelief!
Prayer
Just because we know that you exist, O God, does not mean that we always believe in you and your goodness for all people. Strengthen our faith in your presence to us, especially through the Word of Scripture and the sacraments of your Church. May our belief in you reveal itself in our goodness to others, especially in ways of sacrifice and service. We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Saint of the Day
Sts. Vitalis and Valeria, a married couple, were both martyred for their faith in the early Church.
They were wealthy—Vitalis might have been a soldier of rank—and were parents of Sts. Gervase and Protase, brothers who were both later martyred as well. The family lived in Milan at a time when Christians were being actively persecuted.
Vitalis visited a fellow Christian who had been arrested and sentenced to death. When Vitalis encouraged him to remain steadfast, he was suspected of also being a Christian and was arrested. He declared his faith and was tortured and buried alive. This image shows his martyrdom, with St. Valeria depicted in the bottom left corner.
Later, the pope organized a group of people to collect bodies of martyrs who had been recently killed, and to bury them in the catacombs. Valeria was asked to assist with this work.
When she was discovered recovering bodies of martyrs, she professed her faith and was tortured and beheaded. Her body was then gathered and buried in the catacombs with other martyrs.
The relics of both Sts. Vitalis and Valeria rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
Sts. Vitalis and Valeria, the husband and wife who both died for professing their faith, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Sts. Vitalis and Valeria is in the public domain. Last accessed February 21, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
