Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

Sometimes reflecting on the daily liturgical readings reminds us of the weather. Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles has all the warmth and enthusiasm of a spring day that is so characteristic of this Easter season. It’s a time for new growth and flowers. How different is the weather in the Gospel? After indicating that it was the feast of the Dedication taking place in Jerusalem, we have the three-word sentence: “It was winter.” Does that contribute to the cold reception the Jewish leaders gave to Jesus as they hitched up their robes against a winter wind blowing across the cold cobblestones? We can almost feel their impatience as they were looking for a way to have him removed from the scene.

They were wrapped up in themselves not just to protect themselves from winter winds but they were isolated and insulated in their fear of realizing the full impact of what Jesus was teaching. Jesus was making the shocking statement that he was the Son of God. That’s enough to run chills down their spine! They were invited to listen to his teaching about the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation happening right in their midst, but also to interpret the current signs predicted long ago by the Law and the Prophets. Jesus points out that a flock of sheep that is deaf, blind, and headstrong will reject the gift of life offered to them by the very one they are rejecting. Checking your spiritual barometer, what’s the weather like where you are?

Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB