May 4, 2026 // Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 14:21-26 

Reflect on the Word // 

I was casually perusing Target and recognized a mom I had just recently met volunteering at the kids’ school. She mentioned having to leave Mass after Communion because of other plans: “We already go to the weekly school Mass so Sunday is extra. My son can’t sit still after forty minutes and I don’t want to push his limits.” I was stunned. The kind that leaves you bewildered and wondering if you will be able to speak coherently. When I did encourage her to help her son understand the Mass, she dismissed what I said, and the conversation ended there.

It's easy for me to assume that every single baptized Catholic has an ardent faith and a burning desire to follow what the Church teaches. My ignorance isn’t from a high expectation of my neighbor but from a love for God and His Church. I am not a better person for attending Sunday Mass regularly as the Church directs us to do. Nor do I stand as a judge. My own personal relationship with Jesus beckons me to point others back to Christ out of love for Him (see John 14:21).  

Bringing others to Christ isn’t a rescue mission that I can do on my own. I can quickly fall prey to discouragement that I don’t have the apologetics or theological expertise to explain that the lens through which the world views the Church will always be watered down. However, Christ promises that we have “[t]he Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father has sent in [His] name,” Who works through us to bring others back to the faith and keep it (John 14:26). My love for the living God makes me want to pray harder for those who have not allowed God to dwell within them yet.  

Sister, as we continue to celebrate this season of Jesus' Resurrection, may our encounter with the Risen Lord burn in our hearts so deeply that we may reveal the truth of our faith to others. May the Lord give us the courage to be the witnesses He is asking us to be in this season. 

Relate to the Lord // Look for an opportunity to share your faith and joy in Jesus with someone today.