Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent | USCCB
In our gospel for today, we see the continued refusal
of the Jews to accept Jesus as the Son of God. In their view, Jesus is just a
man and is making himself out to be God. All throughout his ministry, Jesus was
showing and teaching that he was true God and true Man. With the miracles he
performed, the exorcisms he did, and the healing of the many people that came
to him, he showed that he was more than just a miracle man. Further, earlier in
the gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 58, Jesus tells the Jews, “…before Abraham came to be, I AM.” This phrase of “I AM” was used by God for Moses to use when he
went to the Israelites. Moses told the Israelites that God’s name is: I AM. So,
in the minds of those who were listening to Jesus, it seemed obvious that Jesus
was making himself equal to God, something they considered blasphemy since they
viewed Jesus only a man.
Jesus, in word and action, showed that he was indeed
the long-awaited Messiah. Further, He was not afraid to speak the truth and to
share the fact that he was indeed God. Because of this perceived blasphemy the
Jews were ready to stone Jesus to death. As time went on, Jesus would eventually
be crucified for what the Jews considered blasphemy.
There will be times when we need to share the truth of
what we believe: that Jesus is Lord and God. There will be times when those in
our lives will give us a hassle for this belief. They may accuse us of being
fanatical. Following Jesus and accepting him as Lord and Savior will not always
be easy but it is what we are called to do. We need to remain steadfast in our
belief that Jesus is true God and true Man, even when it means facing issues
and problems with those in our lives that may not see Jesus the same way we do.
We are called to always live out our lives in relationship with Jesus according
to His teachings, even when it seems contrary to what society is teaching. We
are called, as Christians, to love God with our whole heart and to love our
neighbors as we love ourselves. By living out our lives in this way, we are
showing that we are followers of Jesus Christ. There will be those in our lives
that may not accept and share our beliefs, but we are called to bring Christ to
the world that needs to know that he is indeed to Lord and God. We are to
always to share this truth with all we meet, whether by word or by action, even
when it’s not easy to do.
Lord Jesus, help us to be faithful in our belief that
you are our Messiah, and help those in our lives to come to know you as we do: true
God and true Man. Amen.
Amen. A saying attributed to St. Francis of Assisi & definitely demonstrated throughout his life is "PREACH THE GOSPEL ALWAYS; WHEN NECESSARY, USE WORDS. May we always live by this & may our words & the example of our lives testify that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
ReplyDeleteIn this weekend's second reading from Philippians, St. Paul declares that one day every knee in heaven, on earth & under the earth will bow & every tongue confess to the glory of GOD the Father: "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!" May we ensure that we are doing this now in this life so that we will enjoy His Presence in the next.
Personally I believe in the LORD & I love & serve Him & at least on the surface I obey the Ten Commandments & the laws of the Church, but I wonder how far I might actually be from loving GOD with my WHOLE heart, my WHOLE soul, my WHOLE mind & my WHOLE STRENGTH. I think my fear of suffering & lack of trust tend to cause me to hold back. Knowing what some of the saints & even loved ones have suffered make me cringe at the very idea of "surrender", a very scary prospect! My tendency is to want to get so close & no further. To live out this first & greatest commandment fully might take at least a lifetime.