Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 3, 2025
Jesus said to the Jews:
“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.
But there is another who testifies on my behalf,
and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept human testimony,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
He was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John’s.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.
Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.
But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
and you do not have his word remaining in you,
because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to come to me to have life.
“I do not accept human praise;
moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.
I came in the name of my Father,
but you do not accept me;
yet if another comes in his own name,
you will accept him.
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:
the one who will accuse you is Moses,
in whom you have placed your hope.
For if you had believed Moses,
you would have believed me,
because he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe his writings,
how will you believe my words?”
Today’s gospel comes down to a fundamental question for me: Are we putting our faith in God or in the things of Earth? Sometimes, I see God at work in my life through small miracles. My nephew was born 14 months ago, a perfect little baby boy (as all babies are). Two months later, he was diagnosed with a condition that required immediate medical attention. My brother and sister-in-law experienced the trauma of their infant son needing neurosurgery.
Our family united in prayer, and the miracle came: one of the world leaders on the condition performed the surgery on my nephew in the ideal window of time in his development to minimize impact and maximize healing. The conscientious care by doctors, my brother and sister-in-law, and faith and prayers by family and friends resulted in a healthy, happy 14-month-old toddler. What a miracle!
In the spirit of today’s gospel reading, I believe Jesus would question whether we give credit for my nephew’s healing to the Father or to the world. It is easy to be grateful to my brother and sister-in-law for advocating for my nephew’s care, the diligence of the pediatrician, and the expertise of the neurological surgeon.
It is more difficult to take a step back and see the work of the Holy Spirit through it all. As people of faith, we put ourselves, and in this case, our children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, into God’s hands. We pray that God protects them and keeps them safe. And we have faith that God will continue to hold all of us in the palm of his hand.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, John testified to you. Your works testify to you. The Father has testified on your behalf. And Moses wrote about you. “But you do not want to come to me to have life,” you said to the people. Lord Jesus, I want to come to you. May my Lenten observance show me the way. Amen.
Saint of the Day

In 303, Emperor Diocletian outlawed the possession of sacred Scripture. Three Christian sisters living in Thessalonica at the time—Agape, Chionia, and Irene—concealed the several volumes of Scripture that they owned.
Later, the three were arrested for refusing to eat food sacrificed to Roman gods. When they were taken, their house was searched and the Scriptures discovered. Agape and Chionia were martyred first, and when Irene was commanded to deny her faith, she, too, was condemned to die. She was exposed in a house of prostitution first, but when she remained untouched, she was killed. It is thought that she was killed with arrows, which she shows in this illustration.
The relics of St. Irene rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame's campus.
St. Irene, who, with your sisters, gave your life for love of Scripture—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Irene is an illustration by Notre Dame alumnus Matthew Alderman '06, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of his art. Used here with permission.