What has He done?

By Niobe Rodrigues

What have you done? (Jn 18:35, NASB)

These were words addressed to Jesus by Pontius Pilate, and they are good for us to ponder as we end the Church’s year and head into another Advent season. These words also come near the end of John’s Gospel after all the signs that Jesus had worked. How could Jesus summarise what He had been doing for the last three years of His life? We know what we read in the gospels, but at this time of year we should be asking, ‘What has Jesus done in my life this year?’. Have I taken notice? Or am I as oblivious as Pontius Pilate as to what has been happening around me?

The words of Jaron Nurse’s WWJD might be a good place to start counting blessings.

He sings:

Picked me up when I was down

Saved me when I was drowning….

Turned my whole life around.

Simple everyday things but those that we have no control over. What has Jesus done for us this year that we have not acknowledged? Let’s see if some of these belong to us:

– everyone in our family was able to eat every day

– we were able to work for the majority of the year

– we came home in one piece every time we stepped or drove out

– we are ending the year with the same number of family members that we started with

– someone helped us when we needed assistance

– we have been healthy for the greater part of the year.

– our children were able to participate in online school with few disruptions

– we were able to attend Mass in person when churches were open

When we look at ourselves, we may say, ‘I have not done anything positive this year’. We may not have kept our long-forgotten New Year’s resolutions and goals for 2021. Yet, if we stop to talk with Jesus and ask Him to show us what He has done in and for us, we would see this year for the blessing it is. Lord Jesus, help us to see what You have done.