WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER APRIL 14, 2021

MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

REFLECTION

There was an older man named Jim who would go to church every day at noon for just a few minutes, and then he would leave. The sacristan was very curious about Jim's daily routine, and one day he stopped him to ask: " Why do you come here every day?"

"I come to pray," Jim answered.

"That's impossible! What prayer can you say in two minutes?"

"I am an old, ignorant man. I pray to God in my own way."

"But what do you say?"

"I say: 'Jesus, here I am, it's Jim.' And then I leave."

After some years, Jim became ill and had to go to the hospital, where he was admitted to the ward for the poor. When it seemed that Jim was dying, a priest and a nurse, a religious sister, stood near his bed.

The priest asked, "Jim, tell us how it is that from the day you came to this ward everything changed for the better? How is it that the patients have become happier, more content, and friendlier?"

"I don't know. When I could walk around, I would try to visit everyone. I greeted them, talked a bit with them. When I couldn't get out of bed I called everyone over to me to make them laugh, to make them happy. With Jim they are always happy!"

"But why are you happy?"

"Well aren't you happy when you receive a visitor?" asked Jim.

"Of course, but we have never seen anyone come to visit you."

"When I came here I asked you for two chairs. One was for you, Father, and one was reserved for my guest."

"But what guest?" the priest asked.

"I used to go to church to visit Jesus every day at noon. But when I couldn't do that anymore, Jesus came here."

"Jesus comes to visit you? What does he say?"

"He says: 'Jim here I am, it's Jesus!"

Before dying, Jim smiled and gestured with his hand toward the chair next to his bed, as if inviting someone to sit down. He smiled for the last time and closed his eyes. (Five Loaves, Two Fish by Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan).

......o......

For 40 days Lenten goals were set. Praying, Fasting and Almsgiving were the three points to be covered. Some years some of my goals are accomplished and other years not even close. This year my prayers were that I would be able to get closer to God, to do His will without any complaints or questions and to trust Him completely.

My goal was to get to Mass (daily and Sunday) at least 15 minutes ahead of time, say the rosary before Mass, and spend one hour in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament after daily Mass. At first it was hard to accomplish and then it became easier. Many good morning routines were established. Most rewarding was silent prayer in Adoration--sitting with Jesus, visiting with one another, worshiping and thanking Him for His love and His faithfulness.

God Bless You