Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The powerful works of Jesus always implied faith. They are not magic, far from peoples’ freedom (free will) and their relationship with God. Rather they were always a manifestation of the Father’s love through Jesus’ actions.

In the origin of this lady’s healing, victimized by hemorrhages, there was faith, strong faith, moving faith. “Daughter your faith saved you”. Her faith moves power out of Jesus. Like Mary’s faith at the wedding in Cana.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus’ attitude in the midst of this storm is the metaphor for the attitude of every disciple when harassed by tribulations and persecutions.

Jesus’ confidence and serenity, while the boat was thrown all over, are impressive. His attitude is based on His total trust on the Father, in whose hands is His life. Nothing has the power to move Him out of this state of total trust and abandonment.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The rural area of the Holy Land gave Jesus many opportunities and images for His teaching. The seed thrown on the earth is a great metaphor of the Kingdom working in the world. On one side, like the seed, the Kingdom has a dynamism free from human care. It grows and nobody knows how, producing fruit beyond human control. On the other side, as the mustard seed, the Kingdom grows and expands. Its nothingness become grandeur. What is hidden manifests itself slowly.

Dear Fellow disciples, peace.

The gospel narrative shows the family relationships in Jesus’ mind. His idea of family is to be intended in the context of the Kingdom.

For Him, family is not the close ones who want to stop Him thinking that He is out of His mind, but rather those who do the will of the Father. Every disciple who strives to do the will of the Father, who walks in holiness, and works in the mission of making other disciples is His mother, brothers, sisters.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The supper between Jesus and the disciples, right before His passion and death on the cross, had a very special meaning. The words “take this…it is my body” certainly surprised the disciples quite a bit. They needed time to fully understand it.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The disciples of the Kingdom are baptized “in the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit”. “In the name of” means that their life brings the mark of the Most Holy Trinity and through her, are knitted. Their existence takes a new dimension, transcendental, giving them the dignity of sons and daughters of God.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The Ascension of Jesus marks the conclusion of His earthly ministry. The mission now is entrusted to the disciples to “go throughout the world and bring the good news”. This is the missionary mandate we all have received from the earlier Church all the way to today’s disciples.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus proposes again the theme of unity with the Father and with Him in love as the basic principle in the life of a disciple. To remain united with them in love is crucial for the disciples to bear good fruit. The proof that a disciple remains in them is that he or she strives to follow the Ten Commandments, to do what He commands.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus' order, "Remain in me", expresses a clear worry about the temptation of the disciples to stray or to stay in the superficiality of their relationship with him. To remain means to commit to the Master, to live His Word, and more, to follow His example, especially in our relationship with others.

To strive for this radicality, which is a characteristic of Jesus, our Master. He did not opt for superficial ways or stay halfway in his obedience to the Father and in fulfilling His mission. Rather, He went all the way, embraced all the consequences, and fulfilled all promises.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The parable of the shepherd and the sheep is a perfect image of the Master-disciple relationship. To listen and recognize the shepherd's voice, calling each one by its name, leading them out, shows the deep connection between them. The disciple is a real disciple when he or she gets to this point. It doesn't happen when discipleship is fake or superficial.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The scene of the disciples of Emmaus calls our attention to a fact in the life of the disciples of all times. The Master walks with them! He explains the Scriptures to them! (First Bible study in the NT). He opens their intelligence to understand the cross as a necessary and obligatory step in discipleship.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Thomas represents all disciples who reach faith by overcoming unbelief. He imposes conditions on his faith in the resurrection, refusing to accept the testimony of his brethren. How often do we do the same? His heart was taken by some kind of materialism and rationalism. He needs to see and touch Jesus before taking a step in faith.