Daily Gospel Reflection

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May 8, 2024

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Jn 16:12-15
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Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”

Reflection

Marty Krebs
ND Parent
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In his Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola encourages us to practice “finding God in all things.” He offers this practical remedy, noting that we are always in a period of either “Spiritual Desolation” or “Spiritual Consolation.”

When I notice myself becoming impatient or frustrated, it’s typically because I have failed to seek God’s voice throughout my day. In this day and age, it is easy to give too much attention to trivial voices—media commentators, sports analysts, economists, business associates, and the like.

Isolating myself from God’s voice can lead to a type of self-imposed spiritual desolation. If I am not paying close attention, it can be very easy to miss the gentle movements of the Holy Spirit that weave throughout my day.

In today’s gospel, Jesus gives us his promise of the Holy Spirit. This is the reason for our hope! When trivial voices confuse and disappoint us as they will inevitably do, ask the Holy Spirit to provide the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. All we have to do is ask! It’s almost too wonderful and too simple.

To remain close to Christ, each day, I call to mind the words of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, as he declared, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus responded to him, “What do you want?” “I want to see!” said the beggar.

My resolution today is to ask each of us to humble ourselves, seek the voice of truth and wisdom, and respond generously to the promptings of the Spirit. My Jesus, “I want to see!” Come, Holy Spirit!

Prayer

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

Loving God, Christ promised his disciples the gift of the Spirit, who would guide them to all truth. In these often confusing and difficult times, many “truths” are spoken. Open us up to the gifts of your Spirit to be able to discern your truth so that we may more faithfully speak it to others and embrace it more fully in our own lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.