Weekly Readings Reflections: 4th Sunday of Easter

Monday, April 20, 2026

Our readings for fourth Sunday of Easter are:

Survivalists come in several flavors, but none of them want to depend on "the grid" for essential services because they are certain that it is just a matter of time before the conventional infrastructure has a catastrophic failure. Sort of hard to argue with that perspective when you watch the evening news.
What corruption do you see in our world today?
How can we, as God's elect, save ourselves from such corruption?
How can we help each other achieve such salvation?
Can we have an impact on any of the corruption around us?

I love the story of Veronica from the Mater Dolorosa. She risked a great deal by stepping away from the crowd to minister to Jesus, no matter how briefly. Wiping His face probably did little to relieve His physical suffering. But it meant all the world to Him, I'm sure.
When is a time that you have been able to be a companion to someone else?
How did you help them through their challenges of the moment?
How did that make you feel?
How did that encounter with another help you in your own challenges?

Suffering, regardless of the nature of that suffering, often feels unfair. We do our best to follow God's direction, and yet things go wrong in spite of our best efforts. That's hard to understand.
What has caused you suffering, or still causes you suffering?
Do you feel that God owes you an explanation?
If Jesus suffered for us, what purpose can our suffering serve?
Which virtue(s) do you think would help you through suffering the most?

Jesus the gate leads us into His fold as well as outward to mission. The two rely on each other for their renewal and meaning.
How have others helped you find your mission(s) through the years?
How have you helped others to find their mission?
Why do you think that we need each other that way?
How can we be better at helping others find where they belong?
Does that "place of belonging" ever change?

Shalom!

Weekly Readings Reflections