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
PsalmPS 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.
Verse Before
The GospelPS 95:8
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
harden not your hearts.
GospelJN 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."
A Daily Quote for Lent: Christ died that you might live, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"For you Christ allowed Himself to be crucified,
to teach you humility. He was alive, and you were dead. He died that you might
live. God vanquished death so that death might not overcome human
beings." (excerpt from Sermon on John
2,4;14,13)
Thursday 22
March 2018
Genesis 17:3-9. Psalm 104(105):4-9. John 8:51-59.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever—Psalm
104(105):4-9.
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.
Saint Nicholas Owen
Saint of the Day for March 22
(? – 1606)
Saint Nicholas Owen’s Story
Nicholas, familiarly known as “Little John,” was small in
stature but big in the esteem of his fellow Jesuits.
Born at Oxford, this humble artisan saved the lives of many
priests and laypersons in England during the penal times (1559-1829), when a
series of statutes punished Catholics for the practice of their faith. Over a
period of about 20 years, Nicholas used his skills to build secret hiding
places for priests throughout the country.
His work, which he did completely by himself as both architect
and builder, was so good that time and time again priests in hiding were
undetected by raiding parties. Nicholas was a genius at finding and creating
places of safety: subterranean passages, small spaces between walls,
impenetrable recesses.
At one point he was even able to mastermind the escape of two
Jesuits from the Tower of London. Whenever Nicholas set out to design such
hiding places, he began by receiving the holy Eucharist, and he would turn to
God in prayer throughout the long, dangerous construction process.
After many years at his unusual task, Nicholas entered the
Society of Jesus and served as a lay brother, although—for very good
reasons—his connection with the Jesuits was kept secret.
After a number of narrow escapes, he himself was finally caught
in 1594. Despite protracted torture, Nicholas refused to disclose the names of
other Catholics. After being released following the payment of a ransom,
“Little John” went back to his work. He was arrested again in 1606. This time
he was subjected to horrible tortures, suffering an agonizing death. The
jailers tried suggesting that he had confessed and committed suicide, but his
heroism and sufferings soon were widely known.
Nicholas Owen was canonized in 1970 as one of the 40 Martyrs of
England and Wales.
Reflection
Nicholas was a clever builder and architect who used his skills
to protect endangered priests. Without his help, hundreds of English Catholics
would have been deprived of the sacraments. His gift for spotting unlikely
places to hide priests was impressive, but more impressive was his habit of
seeking support for his work in prayer and the Eucharist. If we follow his
example, we may also discover surprising ways to put our skills to God’s
service.
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 8, 51-59
Lectio Divina:
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Season of Lent
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
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.
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 in discovering the invisible thread that binds the
paintings. 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. Notice how the prophets speak on behalf of God, but Jesus speaks in the first person with authority as God!
• 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 sword 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. Notice how the prophets speak on behalf of God, but Jesus speaks in the first person with authority as God!
• 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 sword 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 do you react when you are shown your errors? Do you consider the arguments or hold on to your thinking?
• How do you react when you are shown your errors? Do you consider the arguments or hold on to your thinking?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Seek Yahweh and His strength,
tirelessly seek His presence!
Remember the marvels He has done,
His wonders, the judgments He has spoken. (Ps 105:4-5)
tirelessly seek His presence!
Remember the marvels He has done,
His wonders, the judgments He has spoken. (Ps 105:4-5)
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