Temporary or Eternal?

May 15, 2026 Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter Readings for Today Saint Isidore—USA Optional Memorial

Image via Adobe Stock Video “When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” John 16:21–22 When we live fully united to Christ, we can endure anguish with confidence and determination. Without Christ, even small, temporary trials become so burdensome that we tend to avoid them. Though trials are not desirable in themselves, God permits them to strengthen us in virtue and prepare us for eternity. The anguish that accompanies them is temporary, but the victory over them is eternal. If we refuse to endure the temporary, we risk losing the eternal. Our Gospel illustrates this point well. The purpose of pregnancy is to cooperate with God’s creative power and to bring forth into the world a precious new soul who will exist for all eternity. What a joy it is for parents to learn of their pregnancy, endure the nine months and the labor, hold their newborn child, and accompany that child throughout life and into Heaven. In order to give birth to that child, the woman must endure labor pains. These pains are not desirable or sought for their own sake, but a woman willingly endures them as a necessary condition for the great joy of new life. Afterward, a loving mother does not regret having a baby because the labor was painful. The joy of holding her newborn is so rewarding that it puts the pain in perspective. Just as a woman willingly endures labor pains for the joy of new life, we too must embrace temporary trials to receive eternal blessings. Trials are a consequence of Original Sin. In the beginning, God did not will that trials would be part of our lives. After the Fall, many forms of trials entered human existence. To enable us to overcome these trials, the Son of God took on flesh and overcame everything we endure. Therefore, when we face trials, God looks at us and invites us to follow His example: to carry our crosses with His strength, to do what He already did. When Jesus told His Apostles, “So you also are now in anguish,” He was speaking not only to them but also to us. Jesus was fully aware of the anguish the Apostles would endure through His coming Passion, and He is fully aware of every anguish we will endure. His awareness is active, offering hope: “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” This is His promise to each of us as we confidently endure the trials of life. Our endurance will lead to eternal joy, for we will share in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection. Reflect today on whether you are willing to endure the anguish of temporary trials so as to share in the eternal blessing that will come after. Are you living for what is temporary or eternal? Do you avoid trials out of fear, or do you embrace them with trust in Christ’s promise? Reflect on how you might unite your daily struggles with His Passion and seek His grace to persevere. Turn to Jesus, Who has already endured every trial and triumphed, and imitate Him so that you share in His victory and rejoice with Him for all eternity. My determined Lord, You fully aligned Your will with the Father’s by embracing the great anguish caused by Your Passion and exhorted Your disciples to imitate You. You call me to do the same. Please give me the grace and wisdom I need to keep my eyes on the eternal and glorious end to which I am called, so that I can endure every temporary anguish with joy and hope. Jesus, I trust in You.

Evangelizing All Nations – One of the Twelve

(If you celebrate the Ascension in your diocese today, see the reflection below. Otherwise, skip to the next reflection and return to the Ascension reflection on Sunday.) Thursday, May 14, 2026 Ascension of Our Lord (Year A) Readings for Ascension

Commission to Peter Video “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 What a monumental task the Apostles were given! These are Jesus’ parting words as He stands on the Mount of the Ascension, the final words recorded in Matthew’s Gospel. They are powerful words by which Jesus entrusts extraordinary responsibility to eleven of His closest companions. Their mission was not merely to gain new followers but to proclaim the Gospel to every nation. Additionally, they were to baptize all nations and teach them everything Jesus had commanded. This incredible task would have seemed daunting, if not impossible. Yet it is grounded in divine authority: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore…” These are not mere words of encouragement but a divine command, rooted in the authority entrusted to Jesus by the Father. With this declaration, Jesus equips the Apostles with the grace to fulfill their mission, knowing they act under His authority. The Ascension marks a fundamental transition in salvation history. Before the Incarnation, God established covenants with His people and sent prophets to call them to fidelity and prepare them for the coming of the Messiah. With Jesus’ Incarnation, a new era of salvation history began. Through His Passion and Resurrection, Jesus opened the floodgates of grace and inaugurated the final phase of God’s eternal plan. This phase continues today and will only reach its fulfillment when Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead and establish the new Heaven and new Earth. Because we live in this final phase of salvation history, Jesus’ words to His Apostles also apply to us. We are not only among the “all nations” called to be disciples, but we also share in the Apostles’ mission to evangelize the world. While the Apostles, as the first bishops, had a unique role, every baptized person participates in Christ’s mission through the priestly, prophetic, and kingly offices conferred at baptism. The recently canonized Saint John Henry Newman beautifully illustrates this shared mission in a prayer he wrote: “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission…I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons….” Each of us has a unique role to play, and we can be certain that God has given us some definite service to act as a link in a chain and a bond of connection between God and others. Newman continues: “If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.” This reminds us that Jesus, the all-powerful God who holds “all power in heaven and on earth,” can use every aspect of our lives for His glory and mission—if we let Him. Reflect today on two truths. First, consider your place among the “all nations” called to become disciples. Second, reflect on your duty as a disciple to share in Christ’s mission to evangelize the world. As we celebrate our Lord’s Ascension, hear His commission spoken to you. Embrace the privilege and responsibility of His command, allowing His authority and presence to guide your life and your mission. Lord of all power in Heaven and Earth, You have called all people to Yourself. I accept that call and open myself to Your gift of eternal salvation. With my “Yes” to You, I also accept the responsibility to share in Your mission of evangelization. Please reveal Your will to me and empower me to fulfill my duty so that all nations will hear Your saving Word. Jesus, I trust in You.

Bearing All Truth

May 13, 2026 Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter Readings for Today Our Lady of Fatima—Optional Memorial

Veni Sancte Spiritus by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Video Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”  John 16:12–13 Even Jesus’ closest companions, who spent three years with Him during His public ministry, could not bear the fullness of Truth without the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. This is a significant reminder for us, who did not have the privilege of walking with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Imagine those three years: the disciples witnessed miracle after miracle, listened to sermon after sermon, and enjoyed intimate conversations with Jesus. Just being in His presence, observing how He interacted with others, must have been profoundly inspiring. Yet, even those formative years did not prepare them to bear all that Jesus wished to reveal. This shows us that understanding the fullness of Truth goes far beyond human capacity. Only through the supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit can we comprehend the deepest mysteries of faith. What happens to a soul who receives the Holy Spirit and is guided into “all truth?” That soul is transformed. The natural soul gives way to a supernaturally elevated soul, becoming a new creation in Christ. But this transformation requires something essential: the old self must die. We must surrender our fallen nature to receive the new life Christ offers. This requires great sacrifice because we must let go of our old ways and embrace God’s grace. But every sacrifice that leads to a life transformed by divine truth is worth it. Recall Jesus’ teaching: “No one pours new wine into old wineskins…New wine must be poured into fresh wineskins” (Luke 5:37–38). For us to become fresh wineskins, ready to receive the new wine of God’s grace, we must allow the Holy Spirit to change us. This transformation might be startling at times. As the Spirit works within us, opening our eyes to truths we could never imagine, we begin to bear those truths that previously seemed unbearable. This leads to wonder, awe, and praise of God. Consider the example of Saint Stephen, the Church’s first martyr. When Stephen spoke, the corrupt religious leaders “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke” (Acts 6:10). He didn’t rely on years of education or human effort to gain knowledge; instead, the Spirit of Truth lived in him and spoke through him. Stephen had become a fresh wineskin, and the new wine of God’s truth poured forth from him in superabundance, even to the point of giving his life for Christ. Reflect today on the boundless truths that God desires to reveal to you through the Holy Spirit. No amount of human learning can compare to the depth of wisdom available to those who become new creations in Christ. What areas of your life still resist the Spirit’s transformative work? What old wineskins must you cast aside to receive the new wine of divine grace? By surrendering to the Holy Spirit, you allow God to lead you into the fullness of Truth. As this truth fills your heart, it will draw you into deeper awe and praise for the mysteries of faith, preparing you to bear witness to the world as a disciple of Christ. Lord of all Truth, You desire to reveal to me Your very self, yet I am unable to bear the fullness of Who You are and all that You wish to reveal. Please transform me by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that I become a new creation more fully able to receive the fullness of divine Truth. Jesus, I trust in You.

Finding Hope in Grief

May 12, 2026 Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter Readings for Today Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs—Optional Memorial Saint Pancras, Martyr—Optional Memorial

God the Father, by Jacob Herreyns Video Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:5–7 Each of us experiences grief. The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, and a serious illness are a few of many immediate causes of grief. Jesus addresses the grief the disciples were experiencing as they listened to Him explain that He was going to the One Who sent Him, to the Father: “But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.” It’s easy to relate to the disciples’ grief. Imagine that you find out that your best friend is moving to another state. You would have a deep sense of loss upon hearing the news. This is what the disciples were experiencing. The closeness they shared with Jesus was profoundly consoling to them. In Him, they learned so much and began to understand the purity and power of divine love, likely for the first time. The news of His departure filled them with grief. Emotions are neither good nor bad; they are natural reactions to perceived goods or evils. The disciples’ initial perception of Jesus’ earthly departure was as an undesirable loss, so they felt grief. Jesus, fully understanding human nature, addressed their grief with great empathy. Simply identifying what they were feeling would have been a comfort to them. But Jesus goes further: “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” At Jesus’ words, the disciples might have experienced the beginnings of hope, but they did not fully understand. Only after Jesus left them, ascended to the Father, and sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost did they begin to understand. And only after living with the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives for some time did they more fully comprehend the depth of this promise. This reflects our own spiritual journey; it takes time and openness for the wisdom of God’s plan to unfold in our lives. Whenever we face grief or confusion, we would benefit from pondering this exchange between Jesus and the disciples. Romans 8:28 tells us, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” That means “all things,” not just some things. When we fully commit ourselves to God and His perfect will, everything we encounter has the potential to produce good fruit. Every sorrow, joy, cross, victory, or persecution, as well as all the emotions that accompany these experiences, is able to be used as an instrument of God’s grace in our lives, and through us, in the lives of others. The reason this is so is because of God’s perfect wisdom. From the divine perspective, Jesus transformed suffering and death through His Cross and Resurrection, and nothing is beyond the reach of God’s power. God can use even something as painful as the tragic and sudden loss of a loved one for good. Believing this instills hope in our lives, which is among the three most important virtues. Faith is the certain belief that God can work all things for good, and hope is the drive that moves us toward the fulfillment of that belief. Together, faith and hope produce charity, the greatest gift of all, the only gift that endures even in Heaven. Just as the disciples later understood the value of Jesus’ departure—when they received the Holy Spirit and discovered that the Lord they loved now lived within them, never to leave—so we too will come to that same realization when we open ourselves to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit through prayer, trust, and surrender to His guidance. Reflect today on the moment in your life when you faced grief or loss. Offer that memory to God in prayer, asking Him to reveal how His grace was at work in that situation, bringing growth, healing, or a deeper understanding of His love. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with faith and hope, trusting that even in the face of sorrow, God’s perfect plan is unfolding for good. Lord of perfect wisdom, I do believe that all things work for the good for those who love You. When I feel pain and grief, please give me hope. Holy Spirit, please come to me and dwell within me, so that all I experience will lead to the good You intend. Jesus, I trust in You.

Comment une créature peut-elle rester aussi fidèle à quelque chose que le monde entier considère comme terminé ?

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Vingt-huit mois de disparition, les militaires avaient dit à sa famille qu'il ne reviendrait sans doute jamais. Sa femme avait organisé une cérémonie en sa mémoire, ses filles avaient appris à vivre sans lui, et le monde entier avait continué d'avancer. Mais son golden retriever, chaque matin à l'aube, allait s'asseoir près du portail et attendait. Huit cent cinquante-quatre matins. Sans en manquer un seul. Alors que tout le monde avait perdu espoir, le chien, lui, ne l'avait jamais perdu. Et à la fin, il s'est avéré que le chien savait ce que personne ne savait.

Et à la fin, il s'est avéré que le chien avait raison.

Je m’appelle Sarah. J’ai trente-quatre ans. Mon mari, James, était soldat dans l’armée britannique. En mars 2016, il a été déployé à l’étranger pour une opération dangereuse. Il m’a dit : « Un ou deux mois, et je rentre à la maison. » Nous nous sommes embrassés sur le pas de la porte, il a embrassé nos deux filles, Emily et Chloe, a caressé la tête de notre chien, puis il est parti. C’était la dernière fois que nous le voyions pendant plus de huit cents jours.

Quatre mois plus tard, les militaires sont venus chez nous. J’ai reconnu leur véhicule avant même qu’ils n’appuient sur la sonnette. Ils ont dit : « Porté disparu, présumé tué. » Ces mots, je les ai entendus chaque nuit dans mon sommeil. « Présumé ».

Ce seul mot, suspendu dans l’air comme quelque chose que personne ne savait comment traiter. J’ai organisé une cérémonie commémorative en août, dans l’église du village. Les amis, les voisins, la famille ont rempli les bancs. Emily, neuf ans, et Chloe, six ans, portaient des robes noires et se tenaient par la main pendant toute la cérémonie. J’étais assise au premier rang, et à côté de moi il n’y avait personne – seulement un drapeau plié et la photo de James.

Mais dans notre maison, quelqu’un d’autre n’avait pas accepté non plus.

Corporal était notre golden retriever. C’était le chien de James, dans tous les sens du terme. Quand James a été déployé à l’étranger, Corporal se réveillait chaque matin à 6h30, marchait jusqu’au portail du jardin, s’asseyait et attendait. Il restait là jusqu’à 8h00. Puis il rentrait. Il faisait cela chaque jour, sans en manquer un seul. Même le matin de la cérémonie. Même le matin de Noël, quand la neige avait tout recouvert et que je le regardais depuis la fenêtre de l’étage, mes larmes gelant sur mes joues. 854 jours. J’ai compté, plus tard.

La vie s’était lentement réorganisée autour du manque. Emily est retournée à l’école. Chloe a appris à faire ses lacets. Je suis retournée au travail. Le silence dans la maison était devenu normal, même si le vide n’avait jamais vraiment disparu.

Mais chaque matin à 6h30, Corporal s’asseyait près du portail. Je le regardais et je pensais : comment est-ce possible ? Comment une créature peut-elle rester aussi fidèle à quelque chose que le monde entier considère comme terminé ? Je croyais qu’un jour, il s’arrêterait.

Que la peine finirait par s’estomper, et qu’il comprendrait que le portail ne s’ouvrirait pour personne. Mais Corporal n’avait jamais perdu espoir. Et j’avais commencé à craindre qu’il ne le perde jamais. Qu’il vieillirait près de ce portail, à attendre, et que cela ajouterait à mon cœur une douleur que je ne pouvais déjà plus supporter.

La suite de l'histoire est dans le premier commentaire

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