SUNDAY GOSPEL LECTIO DIVINA

Those who listened to Jesus knew who he was. Those who did not listen had no way of believing. We must listen in order to believe. All the answers to all the questions we have could be right in front of us, but if we have not been listening to what God has to teach us we can easily miss them. We can always make up excuses, but the truth is found by absorbing everything God has to say. In this week’s Gospel, he speaks clearly through great signs and wonders after Jesus’ death. But his answers are just as present in our everyday lives if we just listen. The secret to reading the Word of God well is to see it all still happening all around us; at Mass, with every sunrise, with every life in countless different ways. God gives us the springtime every year to remind us that the story of the Resurrection never stops. There is always renewal happening all around us. This is the hopeful message Jesus died and rose to share with us and it is why we celebrate Easter next week.

Kilby is a freelance writing from New Jersey and managing editor of Catholic World Report.

Sometimes the things the Lord tells us to do seem crazy. Jesus said, “Roll away the stone” and Martha said, “By now there will be a stench.” What Jesus was saying to do probably seemed absurd. He gives strange instructions, and does strange things, many times before performing a miracle. This is to test the faith of those around him. He does nothing arbitrarily. If he tells us to do something, in the same way, none of it is meaningless. Listen to him. He is God the Father’s beloved son. He alone can lead us to the resurrection of new life. 

Kilby is a freelance writing from New Jersey and managing editor of Catholic World Report.