Daily Gospel Reflection

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May 6, 2023

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Jn 14:7-14
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Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to Jesus,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

Reflection

Clare Kossler Scobee '17
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Despite living more than 1,000 miles away, my mom’s parents were integral to my life growing up and were present for many of my best memories.

Of my two grandparents, my grandmother often took center stage, while my grandfather was happy to assume more of a background role. But still, had you asked me at any point growing up whether I knew my grandfather, I would have answered, “Yes.”

It wasn’t until I was older that I realized how much I didn’t know about my grandfather. Several years after college graduation, my grandmother asked my sister and me to write a tribute for my grandfather’s retirement. As part of the tribute, we wrote a brief work history and collected reflections from several of my grandfather’s clients and business associates. Reading these reflections gave me a glimpse of the man they knew—an adaptable and highly skilled programmer who was utterly dependable and professional. Even after all the time I had spent with my grandfather, it was a bit disconcerting to realize there were parts of him I had never considered.

My relationship with my grandfather isn’t unique; even in the closest of relationships, there is much we don’t know. The same is true of our relationship with God. In today’s gospel, Jesus asks Philip, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?” Philip only saw a portion of who Jesus was and, by extension, God the Father.

Philip doesn’t answer Jesus in today’s passage. But through Philip, we can consider Jesus’ question. Maybe we cannot answer Jesus truthfully that we know him, but we can seize this chance to challenge ourselves to know God better. Jesus gives us the tools in this gospel to know God—through him, his word, and his works.

Prayer

Rev. Thomas C. Bertone, C.S.C.

O God, you choose us this day to remain in your love as we encounter those we meet. Help us to grow in our ability to love others as fully as you have loved us in giving your life for us. Give us the patience and understanding we need to see the good in others, to see and love in them what you see and love in all of your children. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day

Blessed Anna Rosa Gattorno

Rose Maria Benedetta experienced all the sorrow life could bring a wife and mother, and she responded by growing in compassion for others who were suffering.

She was born in 1831 in Genoa, Italy, one of six children in a well-to-do family. She married in 1852 and the couple had three children. The family moved to Marseilles, France, but had to return to Genoa because of financial trouble. During this time, their oldest child got sick and was left mute and deaf. Then, Rose's husband died in 1858, and a few months later, her youngest child died of an illness.

It seems that her suffering led her to greater compassion for those who also suffer. She continued to care for her two remaining children, but she began to develop a fervent spiritual life, and actively reached out to others who were poor or experiencing pain in some way.

She preferred to remain private with her devotion, but she became known for her insight and holiness, and people started to seek her out. She discerned a call to form her own religious community. Even though everyone around her encouraged her to follow this call, she was afraid that her children would not receive enough attention from her. She spoke to the pope about it in 1866, with the hope that he would affirm her fears, but he told her to begin working on the new community right away. She was allowed to continue raising and caring for her children as she began this important work.

Later that year, she founded an order of sisters under the name of St. Anne, the mother of Mary. Its mission was to care for the poor and sick. She and 12 other sisters professed their vows and she took the name Anna Rosa. By the time she died in 1900, 3,500 sisters had joined the order, living in 368 community houses around the world. They built hostels and schools, and took on a special ministry to the deaf and mute. Today, the order is associated with the Movement of Hope, the Contemplative Order of the Daughters of St. Anne, and the Sons of St. Anne.

Her image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.

Blessed Anna Rosa Gattorno, you transformed your sorrow into hope for the poor and sick—pray for us!