April 14, 2025 // Monday of Holy Week
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 12:1-11
Reflect on the Word //
My baby boy rested his head against my chest, and I sang the Regina Caeli antiphon, over and over until I felt him finally drift into a deep sleep. This had become our routine. He was most content when held close, his sweet breath against my cheek. He protested any separation with a longing cry, little hands reaching, groping in the darkness, only settling when he discovered he was back in my arms. I smiled wearily and felt such peace, peace in the exhaustion, and all the aches and pains quickly became familiar friends during this season of life. Tremendous peace because, like they often do, my child showed me the goodness of the Lord. I whimper and grope in the darkness, and He comes and lets me rest my head on His chest. The beat of His Sacred Heart soothes my soul. He holds me close, and I find rest. Day after day. Night after night. He is always there.
His loving presence invites us to pour out and share in a holy affection with Him, our Beloved. Like Mary, we are drawn to give Him all that is precious to us: “Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of oil” (John 12:3).
We approach Him, our grasp tight, but prepared to let go. Prepared to trust Him. The tenderness in His eyes penetrates the depths of our being, and we feel the freedom to lavish Him with love. And though there are times when I hear the deceptive voice of the enemy attempting to sow doubt in my heart, the voice of our Blessed Lord rises above the clamor: “Leave her alone” (John 12:7). Our hearts long to be close to Him in this way, and He tenderly waits and allows us to humbly place ourselves at His feet, spilling our tears, giving it all without counting the cost, because He is the greatest Lover.
Relate to the Lord // Take a few moments to imagine yourself as that little infant resting on Jesus’ Heart. Breathe deeply and rest.
Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of eight little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy. She enjoys the miracles of family life, strong coffee, and encountering others on this journey to sainthood. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women.
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