Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Lectionary: 254
Lectionary: 254
When Abram
prostrated himself, God spoke to him:
“My covenant with you is this:
you are to become the father of a host of nations.
No longer shall you be called Abram;
your name shall be Abraham,
for I am making you the father of a host of nations.
I will render you exceedingly fertile;
I will make nations of you;
kings shall stem from you.
I will maintain my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
throughout the ages as an everlasting pact,
to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
I will give to you
and to your descendants after you
the land in which you are now staying,
the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession;
and I will be their God.”
God also said to Abraham:
“On your part, you and your descendants after you
must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”
“My covenant with you is this:
you are to become the father of a host of nations.
No longer shall you be called Abram;
your name shall be Abraham,
for I am making you the father of a host of nations.
I will render you exceedingly fertile;
I will make nations of you;
kings shall stem from you.
I will maintain my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
throughout the ages as an everlasting pact,
to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
I will give to you
and to your descendants after you
the land in which you are now staying,
the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession;
and I will be their God.”
God also said to Abraham:
“On your part, you and your descendants after you
must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations –
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations –
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Gospel JN 8:51-59
Jesus said to the
Jews:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever keeps my word will never see death.”
So the Jews said to him,
“Now we are sure that you are possessed.
Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say,
‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?
Or the prophets, who died?
Who do you make yourself out to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing;
but it is my Father who glorifies me,
of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
You do not know him, but I know him.
And if I should say that I do not know him,
I would be like you a liar.
But I do know him and I keep his word.
Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day;
he saw it and was glad.”
So the Jews said to him,
“You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
before Abraham came to be, I AM.”
So they picked up stones to throw at him;
but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever keeps my word will never see death.”
So the Jews said to him,
“Now we are sure that you are possessed.
Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say,
‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?
Or the prophets, who died?
Who do you make yourself out to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing;
but it is my Father who glorifies me,
of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
You do not know him, but I know him.
And if I should say that I do not know him,
I would be like you a liar.
But I do know him and I keep his word.
Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day;
he saw it and was glad.”
So the Jews said to him,
“You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
before Abraham came to be, I AM.”
So they picked up stones to throw at him;
but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
Meditation: "Before Abraham was, I
am"
Do you listen to Jesus' words as if your life
depended on it? Jesus made a claim which only God can make - "if any one
keeps my word, he will never see death." St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), explains this verse from John 8:51:
"It means nothing less
than he saw another death from which he came to free us - the second death,
eternal death, the death of hell, the death of the damned, which is shared with
the devil and his angels! This is the real death; the other
kind of death is only a passage" (Tractates on the Gospel of John 43.10-11).
When God
established a relationship with Abraham, he offered him an unbreakable
"everlasting covenant" (Genesis 17:7). Jesus came to fulfill that
covenant so that we could know the living God and be united with him both now
and for all eternity. God made us to know him and to be united with him and he
gives us the gift of faith and understanding so that we may grow in the
knowledge of what he has accomplished for us through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus challenged the people of Israel to accept
his word as the very revelation of God himself. His claim challenged the very
foundation of their belief and understanding of God. Jesus made a series of
claims which are the very foundation of his life and mission. What are these claims?
First, Jesus claims unique knowledge of God as the only begotten Son of the
Father in heaven. Since he claims to be in direct personal communion with his
Father in heaven, he knows everything about the Father. Jesus claims that the
only way to full knowledge of the mind and heart of God is through himself.
Jesus also claims unique obedience to God the Father. He thinks, lives
and acts in the knowledge of his Father's word. To look at his life is
to "see how God wishes me to live." In Jesus alone we see what God
wants us to know and what he wants us to be.
When the Jewish authorities asked Jesus who
do you claim to be? he answered, "before Abraham was, I am."
Jesus claims to be timeless and there is only one in the
universe who is timeless, namely God. Scripture tells us that "Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus
was not just a man who came, lived, died, and then rose again. He is the
immortal timeless One, who always was and always will be. In Jesus we see the
eternal God in visible flesh. He is God who became a man for our sake and for
our salvation. His death and resurrection make it possible for us to share in
his immortality. Do you believe the words of Jesus and obey them with all your
heart, mind, and strength?
"Lord Jesus, let your word be on my lips
and in my heart that I may walk in the freedom of your everlasting love, truth
and goodness.”
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Keeping His Word |
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Thursday of the
Fifth Week of Lent
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John 8:51-59
Jesus said to the Jews: "Amen, amen, I
say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." So the Jews
said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as
did the prophets, yet you say, ´Whoever keeps my word will never taste
death.´ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets,
who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If
I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who
glorifies me, of whom you say, ´He is our God.´ You do not know him, but I
know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a
liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to
see my day; he saw it and was glad. So the Jews said to him, "You are not
yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them,
"Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." So
they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the
Temple area.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, you are life and truth and goodness.
You are also peace and mercy. How grateful I am to have this moment to turn
to you. Without you I can do nothing good. In fact, when I do good, it is you
working through me, despite my failings. Thank you, Lord. Here I am ready to
love you more.
Petition: May I hear your voice, Lord, and not harden
my heart to that which you ask of me today.
1. The Real Enemy: Today we find Jesus in animated conversation
with the Jews. They seem to discuss the same topic – death — but in fact they
refer to two very different understandings of one reality. The Jews speak of
death in a material way, whereas Jesus speaks of it in a spiritual way, with
his description of death of far greater consequence than the former. Christ
warns us about the gravity of spiritual death, which is the consequence of
serious sin. This is why the Church traditionally prays, in the Litany of the
Saints, to be freed from mors perpetua (everlasting death), the
spiritual death which Jesus warned against. Lent is the time to eradicate all
forms of this evil from our lives, especially through the positive practices
of prayer, penance and almsgiving.
2. Only the Spirit Gives Life: Jesus’ interlocutors are never able to
penetrate the meaning of his words because they think in a purely material
way. Only with a spirit of faith and the aid of the Holy Spirit can we
understand the things of God. Today’s world is rife with what we could call a
spirit of materialism. It looks to material things and values as the solution
to everything. But have you noticed how it seems that the more our material
wealth and technical capacity grow, the emptier we become on the inside, and
the more hollow our western culture becomes? Material things are necessary,
for we are part matter. But a purely material explanation will never be able
to address the deeper needs of the human person. As Christ said: “Only the
Spirit gives life” (John 6:63).We must strive to adopt a spiritual or
supernatural way of living and see ourselves and our world from this point of
view, so as not to become blind to a truth that transcends matter.
3. Open to a Challenge: Jesus’ challenge to raise the eyes of the
heart and soul to a spiritual level is met with fierce opposition. In fact,
his listeners want to stone him! Christ always challenges us to go higher.
And he does this as a manifestation of his love. How do I respond to this
challenge in my own life?
Conversation with Christ:
You have spoken, Lord, in the silence of my night and your word has engraved your will in my heart. Because you spoke, there is a will in you that I know: It is the will of your commands.
I want to fulfill that will, Lord.
I want to believe according to your doctrine. To hope according to your promises. To love and live according to your guidance and laws.
Resolution: I will foster a more spiritual way of seeing
myself, others and the world.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 10, JOHN 8:51-59
Lenten Weekday
(Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm 105)
KEY VERSE: "Amen, Amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM" (v 58).
READING: Jesus said that those who were true to his words would never see death. The unbelievers scoffed, saying that all the prophets had died, and even the great father Abraham was dead. Did Jesus claim to be greater than them? Jesus answered that Abraham rejoiced that the divine promises were fulfilled in him. His enemies mocked Jesus asking if he claimed to have seen Abraham. Jesus used the divine name of God, "I AM," a declaration that he existed before Abraham. His enemies were scandalized. Did Jesus claim equality with God? The penalty for blasphemy was death by stoning (Lv 24:16), but Jesus was able to evade their attempt to kill him.
REFLECTING: Do I show respect for the name of God?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to trust your promise of eternal life.
Lenten Weekday
(Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm 105)
KEY VERSE: "Amen, Amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM" (v 58).
READING: Jesus said that those who were true to his words would never see death. The unbelievers scoffed, saying that all the prophets had died, and even the great father Abraham was dead. Did Jesus claim to be greater than them? Jesus answered that Abraham rejoiced that the divine promises were fulfilled in him. His enemies mocked Jesus asking if he claimed to have seen Abraham. Jesus used the divine name of God, "I AM," a declaration that he existed before Abraham. His enemies were scandalized. Did Jesus claim equality with God? The penalty for blasphemy was death by stoning (Lv 24:16), but Jesus was able to evade their attempt to kill him.
REFLECTING: Do I show respect for the name of God?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to trust your promise of eternal life.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Our Duty As Christians
Christianity is one religion that places upon us the obligation to
care for the least of our sisters and brothers here on earth if we want to
share the banquet the Lord of hosts has prepared in Heaven for those who
believe.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever
‘I know him, and I faithfully keep his word.’The God portrayed in parts of the Old Testament is a God of vengeance and anger—as opposed to the God of love and compassion shown in the life and words of Jesus. As Son of God, Jesus has a unique relationship with God the Father. Indeed, the only way to full knowledge of the heart and mind of God is through Jesus Christ. We do not worship an unknown God, but one made visible in Jesus. In all of Christ’s life on earth he glorified his heavenly Father—‘My glory is conferred by the Father’—an example for us. Lord, help me to be more Christ-like today.
April
10
St. Magdalen of Canossa
(1774-1835)
St. Magdalen of Canossa
(1774-1835)
Wealth and privilege did nothing to prevent today’s saint from
following her calling to serve Christ in the poor. Nor did the protests of her
relatives, concerned that such work was beneath her.
Born in
northern Italy in 1774, Magdalen knew her mind—and spoke it. At age 15 she
announced she wished to become a nun. After trying out her vocation with the
cloistered Carmelites, she realized her desire was to serve the needy without
restriction. For years she worked among the poor and sick in hospitals and in
their homes, and also among delinquent and abandoned girls.
In her
mid-twenties Magdalen began offering lodging to poor girls in her own home. In
time she opened a school, which offered practical training and religious
instruction. As other women joined her in the work, the new Congregation of the
Daughters of Charity emerged. Over time, houses were opened throughout Italy.
Members of
the new religious congregation focused on the educational and spiritual needs
of women. Magdalen also founded a smaller congregation for priests and
brothers. Both groups continue to this day.
She died
in 1835. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1988.
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 8, 51-59
Lectio:
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Lent Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord God,
in your son Jesus Christ
you have given us a new name,
the name of your Son himself.
May we live up to our new destiny,
to be people-for-others
who serve and commit ourselves
together with Jesus,
your Son and our Lord for ever.
in your son Jesus Christ
you have given us a new name,
the name of your Son himself.
May we live up to our new destiny,
to be people-for-others
who serve and commit ourselves
together with Jesus,
your Son and our Lord for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - John 8, 51-59
In all truth I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see
death.
The Jews said, 'Now we know that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, "Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death." Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?'
Jesus answered: If I were to seek my own glory my glory would be worth nothing; in fact, my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, 'He is our God,' although you do not know him. But I know him, and if I were to say, 'I do not know him,' I should be a liar, as you yourselves are. But I do know him, and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.
The Jews then said, 'You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!'
Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, before Abraham ever was, I am.
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
The Jews said, 'Now we know that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, "Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death." Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?'
Jesus answered: If I were to seek my own glory my glory would be worth nothing; in fact, my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, 'He is our God,' although you do not know him. But I know him, and if I were to say, 'I do not know him,' I should be a liar, as you yourselves are. But I do know him, and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.
The Jews then said, 'You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!'
Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, before Abraham ever was, I am.
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
3) Reflection
• Chapter 8 seems an exhibition of works of art, where it is
possible to admire and contemplate famous paintings, next to one another.
Today’s Gospel presents us a painting, and a dialogue between Jesus and the
Jews. There is not too much connection between one and the other painting. It
is the spectator who, thanks to his/her attentive and prayerful observation,
succeeds to discover the invisible thread that binds the paintings, the
dialogues among themselves. Thus, we penetrate into the divine mystery which
envelops the person of Jesus.
• John 8, 51: Whoever keeps the word of Jesus will not see death. Jesus makes a solemn affirmation; the prophets said: Oracle of the Lord! Jesus says: “Truly, I say to you!” And the solemn affirmation is the following: “Whoever keeps my word will not see death!” This same theme appears and reappears many times in the Gospel of John. These are words of a great depth.
• John 8, 52-53: Abraham and the prophets died. The reaction of the Jews is immediate: “Now we know that you are out of your mind. Abraham died and the prophets also died. And you say: “Whoever keeps my word will never see death”. Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who are you claiming to be?” They did not understand the importance and significance of the affirmation of Jesus. It was a dialogue of the deaf.
• John, 8, 54-56: I am glorified by my Father. Once again and as always Jesus hits on the same key: He is so united to the Father that everything that he says or does is his. Everything is the Father’s. And he says: “The one who glorifies me is my Father, the one whom you say, ‘He is our God!” and you do not know him. But I know him. And if I were to say, ‘I do not know him’, I should be a liar, as you yourselves are. But I do know him and I observe his word. Your father, Abraham, rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad”. These words of Jesus must have been like a spade which wounded the self esteem of the Jews. To tell the religious authority: “You do not know the God whom you say you know. I know him and you do not know him!” It is like accusing them of total ignorance exactly regarding the theme on which they think they are specialized doctors. And the final word increases the measure: “Abraham, your father, rejoiced in the hope of seeing my Day, he saw it and was glad”.
• John 8, 57-59: “You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham! They took everything literally, thus showing that they did not understand anything of what Jesus was saying. And Jesus makes another solemn affirmation: "In all truth I tell you: before Abraham ever was, I AM”.
For those who believe in Jesus, here we reach the heart of the mystery of the story. Once again they pick up stones to kill Jesus. But neither this time will they succeed, because his hour has not as yet come. The one who determines the hour is Jesus himself.
• John 8, 51: Whoever keeps the word of Jesus will not see death. Jesus makes a solemn affirmation; the prophets said: Oracle of the Lord! Jesus says: “Truly, I say to you!” And the solemn affirmation is the following: “Whoever keeps my word will not see death!” This same theme appears and reappears many times in the Gospel of John. These are words of a great depth.
• John 8, 52-53: Abraham and the prophets died. The reaction of the Jews is immediate: “Now we know that you are out of your mind. Abraham died and the prophets also died. And you say: “Whoever keeps my word will never see death”. Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who are you claiming to be?” They did not understand the importance and significance of the affirmation of Jesus. It was a dialogue of the deaf.
• John, 8, 54-56: I am glorified by my Father. Once again and as always Jesus hits on the same key: He is so united to the Father that everything that he says or does is his. Everything is the Father’s. And he says: “The one who glorifies me is my Father, the one whom you say, ‘He is our God!” and you do not know him. But I know him. And if I were to say, ‘I do not know him’, I should be a liar, as you yourselves are. But I do know him and I observe his word. Your father, Abraham, rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad”. These words of Jesus must have been like a spade which wounded the self esteem of the Jews. To tell the religious authority: “You do not know the God whom you say you know. I know him and you do not know him!” It is like accusing them of total ignorance exactly regarding the theme on which they think they are specialized doctors. And the final word increases the measure: “Abraham, your father, rejoiced in the hope of seeing my Day, he saw it and was glad”.
• John 8, 57-59: “You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham! They took everything literally, thus showing that they did not understand anything of what Jesus was saying. And Jesus makes another solemn affirmation: "In all truth I tell you: before Abraham ever was, I AM”.
For those who believe in Jesus, here we reach the heart of the mystery of the story. Once again they pick up stones to kill Jesus. But neither this time will they succeed, because his hour has not as yet come. The one who determines the hour is Jesus himself.
4) Personal questions
• It is a dialogue with the deaf between Jesus and the Jews.
Have you sometimes had the experience of speaking with a person who thinks
exactly the opposite of what you think and is not aware of it?
• How can we understand this phrase: “Abraham, your father, rejoiced in the hope of seeing my Day, he saw it and was glad”?
• How can we understand this phrase: “Abraham, your father, rejoiced in the hope of seeing my Day, he saw it and was glad”?
5) Concluding Prayer
Seek Yahweh and his strength,
tirelessly seek his presence!
Remember the marvels he has done,
his wonders, the judgements he has spoken. (Ps 105,4-5)
tirelessly seek his presence!
Remember the marvels he has done,
his wonders, the judgements he has spoken. (Ps 105,4-5)
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