Daily Reflection
January 13, 2026

Jesus begins his public ministry - my thoughts were many on how did He feel about stepping out in courage to do His Father’s will? Was Jesus nervous or full of the confidence that only the Holy Spirit can give? Perhaps he knew both feelings. His followers were with Him. Did their presence help? Did Jesus know that they perhaps had doubts about Him? Did Jesus know that His words would astound His hearers but also lead to those who ultimately would cause His death? My thoughts are He knew all these things but was so focused on doing His Father’s will that nothing could stop Him.

Of course Jesus met with resistance from the first. A man possessed by an unclean spirit called out “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!”

I ask myself: What have I to do with Jesus? Who is He to me? Do I know Him truly as the Holy One of God? Yes, He will destroy evil in  the end, I believe. But His desire for  us is not destruction, but life. Abundant life. Fully alive. To be the me who was created to be just that - me. Not some person perfect in all respects, but perfectly me. As St. Irenaeus said “The glory of God is man fully alive.”  Woman, too.

May this year foster growth in me to fulfill God’s will for me at my creation. To realize what gifts He has given me that I may use to bring light and life to others. To not just say prayers but to listen silently for God’s loving response. To sit at His knee and  wonder.

Once I did ask God  what He wanted from me and the immediate soft response was “Be love”. Received and given.