April 16, 2026 // Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 3:31-36
Reflect on the Word //
I felt like my heart was searching for God’s voice or at least leaning on Him for several days. It was the anniversary of a tragic event and His Cross was my only solace. Semi-numb, I walked into the chapel, genuflected, and slid into the end of a pew. As I looked up, I saw a dear friend and had a quiet desire to tap her on the shoulder and to slide in next to her. My heart lightened at this inspiration from the Holy Spirit. The enemy was trying to tell me not to be so needy, but luckily I knew better—for the Lord delights in ministering to us precisely when we are needy.
The gentle knowing became salvific as I considered what a profound blessing it was to sit next to this friend of so many years who was a mom of so many dear children. So many seasons of life were represented as we knelt there silently adoring the King of the Universe Who came from above and is above all (see John 3:31). We didn’t need to speak to each other because we understood each other from the heart and did not need to speak of earthly things as “one who is of the earth” (see John 3:31). And as I thought of the tremendous gift of perseverance and fortitude in both of our lives, the phrase from today’s Gospel that most reechoed in my heart was “He does not ration his gift of the Spirit” (John 3:34). It was a miracle we were there. His gift of faith in us was a miracle. His gift of love between us—even without words, just a hello-hug—was a miracle.
Sister, no matter what seasons we are going through in our lives right now, we belong to the One Who is the definitive Victor over anything that is imperfect, not whole, and in need of redemption. May this Easter season be a cause for profound renewal and strengthening for each of us as we open ourselves to receive all the Gifts of the Resurrected One!
Relate to the Lord // What gifts is the Lord pouring out in this season? Take stock.
Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi, after twenty years in religious life, is discerning a call to found a community of consecrated religious women dedicated to Our Lady and who will pray reparation for sins against the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, pray for conversions, and work for the evangelization of those who have left the Church or feel furthest from the Church.
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