Daily Scripture, April 21, 2025
Scripture:
Acts 2:14, 22-23
Matthew 28:8-15
Reflection:
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Some people are talking about the potential impact of the rise in prices and what the market is doing to their retirement savings. Are you and your family worried? Today’s scripture readings may be helpful. The gospel describes the women’s initial encounter with Jesus after his resurrection. Jesus tells them “Do not be afraid” go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me. The phrase “Do not be afraid” is used 365 times in the bible. This is interpreted as God reminding us not to be afraid.
Jesus tells the women to go to Galilee. Galilee is the place where the disciples originated, lived, worked, and formed their identity. It is their hometown that the resurrected Jesus manifested himself to them. When and where do you experience the divine presence of Jesus? “Galilee” can be your home, your family, your workplace, your sacred space for silence and prayer. Galilee, where the resurrected Jesus chose to manifest himself, is with us to comfort us, assist us and to calm our fears and worries.
The women not only experienced fear but joy. Joy is a sign of the divine presence in our midst. To what degree are we joyful? How often do we allow ourselves to experience true joy within our family life, our work, our church gatherings? Lord, allow joy to overcome my fear, and help me to trust that your divine presence is with us always.
Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.
Scripture: Philemon 7-20 Luke 17:20-25 Reflection: Though St. Paul’s letter to Philemon consists of only twenty-five verses it touches on the core of his Gospel message. We are presented with » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 Luke 17:7-10 Reflection: Doesn’t this gospel passage just rub you the wrong way? It violates our American value system. This is not the way to treat » Continue Reading.
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17 John 2:13-22 Reflection: You may be lucky enough to have a special place to go » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 4:10-19 Luke 16:9-15 Reflection: No servant can serve two masters… Reading this gospel verse, I think of a Christmas in the early days of my marriage. With a » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 16:1-8 Reflection: I am bombarded on a daily basis, as I suppose you are, with requests to sign this petition, to call my congressional representative or to » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18 Luke 14:25-33 Reflection: Honestly, when it comes to our spiritual lives, I don’t believe in reward theory. I don’t believe God rewards me for things because I » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 3:3-8a Luke 15:1-10 Reflection: If you lost a coin, would you spend time searching for it? If you lost one sheep out of one hundred, would you lose » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saint Charles Borromeo Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 14:15-24 Reflection: An Invitation… Today’s Gospel selection includes Jesus’ parable of a generous man giving a great » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4 Luke 14:12-14 Reflection: "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy » Continue Reading.
All Souls Day Scripture: Wisdom 3:1-9 Romans 5:5-11 or 6:3-9 John 6:37-40 Reflection: Once again our liturgical year brings us to the commemoration of all the saints, » Continue Reading.