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Gospel Reflection for Thursday, February 20, 2025
Dear Friend,
Every time I see a rainbow, I find myself captivated, mesmerized by the breathtaking display that nature offers unexpectedly—like a surprise gift. And I remember the covenant that God made with humanity through Noah in today’s reading from Genesis:
«I establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you, and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals… I have set my bow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.»
Interestingly, the rainbow appears after the darkness of rain or the terror of a storm—as if announcing that everything will be okay, no matter how dark the sky may seem.
Its vivid colors bring joy to our hearts.
This covenant is deeply connected to today’s Psalm 101, which reminds us:
«The Lord looks down from heaven upon the earth.»
God is not indifferent to any of us.
He does not abandon us to fate.
He is not a distant or absent God—rather, in the words of the psalm:
«He looks down from heaven to hear the groans of the captives and set free those condemned to death.»
Is this how you see God?
Or do you still hold on to a distorted image of Him that needs to be purified?
The people in Jesus’ time also struggled to understand who He was.
That’s why, when Jesus asks the question in today’s Gospel from Mark, there are different answers, just as there might be for us today.
Even Peter, who correctly declares, «You are the Messiah,» still doesn’t fully understand.
He comes the closest, but his vision is incomplete—he has not yet grasped the reality of the cross that Jesus foretells:
«The Son of Man must suffer greatly, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise after three days.»
Yet, even in the silence of the cross, Jesus was never abandoned by the Father.
The resurrection was the Father’s response, patiently awaited by His Son.
God always keeps His covenant, faithful to His promise—even when it feels otherwise.
This covenant not only brings us comfort and hope, but it also challenges us to reflect that same faithfulness in our relationships.
It calls us to be bearers of light in darkness, bridges of reconciliation, and messengers of hope where despair exists.
Never forget: after the darkness of a storm, the beauty of the rainbow always reappears—a sign from God, reminding us that He is always with us, even in the darkest moments.
Your brother in faith,