Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Lectionary: 252
Lectionary: 252
From Mount Hor the children of
Israel set out on the Red Sea road,
to bypass the land of Edom.
But with their patience worn out by the journey,
the people complained against God and Moses,
“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert,
where there is no food or water?
We are disgusted with this wretched food!”
to bypass the land of Edom.
But with their patience worn out by the journey,
the people complained against God and Moses,
“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert,
where there is no food or water?
We are disgusted with this wretched food!”
In punishment the LORD sent among
the people saraph serpents,
which bit the people so that many of them died.
Then the people came to Moses and said,
“We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you.
Pray the LORD to take the serpents away from us.”
So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses,
“Make a saraph and mount it on a pole,
and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live.”
Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole,
and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent
looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
which bit the people so that many of them died.
Then the people came to Moses and said,
“We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you.
Pray the LORD to take the serpents away from us.”
So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses,
“Make a saraph and mount it on a pole,
and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live.”
Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole,
and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent
looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
Responsorial
Psalm102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21
R. (2) O Lord, hear my
prayer, and let my cry come to you.
O LORD, hear my prayer,
and let my cry come to you.
Hide not your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
R. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
R. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”
R. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
O LORD, hear my prayer,
and let my cry come to you.
Hide not your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
R. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
R. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”
R. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
Verse Before
The Gospel
The seed is the word of God,
Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live forever.
all who come to him will live forever.
GospelJN 8:21-30
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“I am going away and you will look for me,
but you will die in your sin.
Where I am going you cannot come.”
So the Jews said,
“He is not going to kill himself, is he,
because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?”
He said to them, “You belong to what is below,
I belong to what is above.
You belong to this world,
but I do not belong to this world.
That is why I told you that you will die in your sins.
For if you do not believe that I AM,
you will die in your sins.”
So they said to him, “Who are you?”
Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning.
I have much to say about you in condemnation.
But the one who sent me is true,
and what I heard from him I tell the world.”
They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father.
So Jesus said to them,
“When you lift up the Son of Man,
then you will realize that I AM,
and that I do nothing on my own,
but I say only what the Father taught me.
The one who sent me is with me.
He has not left me alone,
because I always do what is pleasing to him.”
Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.
“I am going away and you will look for me,
but you will die in your sin.
Where I am going you cannot come.”
So the Jews said,
“He is not going to kill himself, is he,
because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?”
He said to them, “You belong to what is below,
I belong to what is above.
You belong to this world,
but I do not belong to this world.
That is why I told you that you will die in your sins.
For if you do not believe that I AM,
you will die in your sins.”
So they said to him, “Who are you?”
Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning.
I have much to say about you in condemnation.
But the one who sent me is true,
and what I heard from him I tell the world.”
They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father.
So Jesus said to them,
“When you lift up the Son of Man,
then you will realize that I AM,
and that I do nothing on my own,
but I say only what the Father taught me.
The one who sent me is with me.
He has not left me alone,
because I always do what is pleasing to him.”
Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.
Meditation: "When you
have lifted up the Son of man"
Do
you know the healing power of the cross of Jesus Christ? When the people of
Israel were afflicted with serpents in the wilderness because of their sin, God
instructed Moses: "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every
one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live" (Numbers 21:8). The
visible sign of the "fiery bronze serpent" being lifted up in the
sight of the people reminded them of two important facts - sin leads to death
and repentance leads to God's mercy and healing. The lifting up of the bronze
serpent on a wooden pole points to Jesus Christ being lifted up on the wooden
cross at Calvary where he took our sins upon himself to make atonement to the
Father on our behalf. The cross of Christ broke the curse of sin and death and
won pardon, healing, and everlasting life for all who believe in Jesus, the Son
of God and Savior of the world.
Either
for him or against him
While many believed in Jesus and his message, many others, including the religious leaders, opposed him. Some openly mocked him when he warned them about their sin of unbelief. It's impossible to be indifferent to Jesus' word and his judgments. We are either for him or against him. There is no middle ground and no neutral parties.
While many believed in Jesus and his message, many others, including the religious leaders, opposed him. Some openly mocked him when he warned them about their sin of unbelief. It's impossible to be indifferent to Jesus' word and his judgments. We are either for him or against him. There is no middle ground and no neutral parties.
When
Jesus spoke about "going away" he was referring to his return in
glory to his Father in heaven. Jesus warned his opponents that if they
continued to disobey God's word and to reject him as Lord and Savior, they
would shut themselves off from God and die in their sins.
Jesus' words echoed the prophetic warning given to Ezekiel that people would
die in their sins if they did not turn to God and ask for his mercy and pardon
(see Ezekiel 3:18 and 18:18). In every age God warns his people to heed his
word before the time is too late to seek his mercy and forgiveness. God gives
us time to turn to him and to receive his mercy and pardon, but that time is right
now.
To
sin literally means to miss the mark or to be off
target. The essence of sin is that it diverts us from God and from our true
purpose in life - to know the source of all truth and beauty which is God
himself and to be united with God in everlasting joy. When Adam and Eve yielded
to their sin of disobedience, they literally tried to hide themselves from
God's presence (Genesis 3:8-10). That is what sin does - it separates us from
the One who is not only "all-seeing" and "ever present" to
us, but who is also "all loving" and "merciful" and eager
to receive us with open arms of mercy, healing, and forgiveness. When God calls
you to turn your gaze and attention towards him, do you try to hide yourself
from his presence with other distractions and excuses that keep you from
seeking him and listening to his voice?
The
proof of God's love for us
Jesus went on to explain to people that if they could not recognize his voice when they heard his word, they would have the opportunity to recognize him when he is "lifted up" on the cross. Jesus pointed to the atoning sacrifice of his life on the cross as the true source of healing and victory over sin and reconciliation with God. The sacrifice of Jesus' life on the cross is the ultimate proof of God's love for us.
Jesus went on to explain to people that if they could not recognize his voice when they heard his word, they would have the opportunity to recognize him when he is "lifted up" on the cross. Jesus pointed to the atoning sacrifice of his life on the cross as the true source of healing and victory over sin and reconciliation with God. The sacrifice of Jesus' life on the cross is the ultimate proof of God's love for us.
God
so loved the world that he gave us his only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
To
fail to recognize who Jesus is and where he came from is to remain in darkness
- the darkness of sin, ignorance, and unbelief. But if we look to Jesus and
listen to his word of life and truth, then we will find the way to lasting
peace and joy with God. The Lord Jesus invites each one of us to accept him as
the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Our time here in this present world is very
limited and short, but how we live it today has consequences not only for the
present moment but for our eternal destiny as well. Which direction is your
life headed in right now?
"Lord
Jesus, you came to set us free from sin, doubt, fear, and ignorance. Your word
brings life, truth, and healing to mind, heart, soul, and body. Let your
healing love free me from the blindness of sin and disbelief and from the
destructive force of evil and wrongdoing. May I always find peace, joy, and
strength in knowing your merciful love, truth, and goddness."
A
Daily Quote for Lent: Aided
by Christ's grace, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"God
the Father said: 'I sent you One who would seek you out, walk with you, and
forgive you. So he had feet to walk with and hands to forgive with. Thus, when
he ascended after his resurrection, he showed hands, side, and feet: hands with
which he gave pardon to sinners; and side from which flowed the ransom of the
redeemed.'" (excerpt from Sermon 16A,10)
TUESDAY, March 31, JOHN 8:21-30
Lenten Weekday
(Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102)
Lenten Weekday
(Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102)
KEY VERSE: "When you lift up the Son of Man, you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own" (v.28).
TO KNOW: Jesus uttered a warning against those who persisted in their unbelief, refusing to accept him as God's Anointed One – The Christ. Only those who believed in him could go with him to the Father; those who opposed him would die in their sins. The unbelievers sarcastically asked Jesus if he intended to kill himself. The irony was that Jesus would freely lay down his life. He compared being "lifted up" on the cross to the bronze serpent that Moses elevated in the desert to heal those who had been bitten by poisonous snakes (Nm 21:4-9). The cross is a paradoxical symbol of life and death, sin and grace, suffering and healing. Jesus used the powerful “I AM” (egō eimi), the divine name, stating that he and the Father were one.
TO LOVE: Gaze upon a crucifix and contemplate its meaning for your life.
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, by the power of your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Tuesday 31 March 2020
Numbers 21:4-9. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry
come to you – Psalm 101(102):2-3, 16-21. John 8:21-30.
‘Then you will know that I am he.’
In this puzzling reading from John we sense that Jesus is not on
the same plane as the Pharisees who challenge him: ‘You are from this world; I
am not of this world.’ He shows the closeness of his relationship with his Father.
We hear that when Jesus is ‘lifted up’ the Pharisees will know who he really is
and his relationship with the Father will be clear.
When Jesus explains that ‘the one who sent me is with me, and
has not left me alone’, we wonder: is he implying that we too can have such a
close relationship with God? Today let us reflect on the presence of the Holy
Spirit within each of us. We are made as temples of God’s presence; Jesus lives
within us! In union with him we are drawn up into intimacy with God the Father.
We plead ‘God, be with us now.’
Saint Stephen of Mar Saba
Saint of the Day for March 31
(725 – 794)
Saint Stephen of Mar Saba’s Story
A “do not disturb” sign helped today’s saint find holiness and
peace.
Stephen of Mar Saba was the nephew of Saint John Damascene,
who introduced the young boy to monastic life beginning at age 10. When he
reached 24, Stephen served the community in a variety of ways, including guest
master. After some time he asked permission to live a hermit’s life. The answer
from the abbot was yes and no: Stephen could follow his preferred lifestyle
during the week, but on weekends he was to offer his skills as a counselor.
Stephen placed a note on the door of his cell: “Forgive me, Fathers, in the
name of the Lord, but please do not disturb me except on Saturdays and
Sundays.”
Despite his calling to prayer and quiet, Stephen displayed
uncanny skills with people and was a valued spiritual guide.
His biographer and disciple wrote about Stephen: “Whatever help,
spiritual or material, he was asked to give, he gave. He received and honored
all with the same kindness. He possessed nothing and lacked nothing. In total
poverty he possessed all things.”
Stephen died in 794.
Reflection
Saint Stephen of Mar Saba knew the value of solitude. Even
though he was generous and served whoever came to him, he relished his time
alone. Maybe we can learn from him the value of solitude and seek it out a little
more in our lives.
Lectio Divina: John 8:21-30
Lectio Divina
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Season of Lent
1) Opening prayer
Our saving, merciful God,
wandering in our deserts of injustice and lack of love,
wandering in our deserts of injustice and lack of love,
we cry out with fear
or are stunned into silence,
or are stunned into silence,
some into doubt or despair.
Give us enough trusting faith
to look up to Him
who took our evil and doubts upon himself,
suffered for them on a cross, and rose from them,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord.
Give us enough trusting faith
to look up to Him
who took our evil and doubts upon himself,
suffered for them on a cross, and rose from them,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - John 8:21-30
Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am going away and you will
look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot
come." So the Jews said, "He is not going to kill himself, is he,
because he said, 'Where I am going you cannot come'?" He said to them,
"You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to
this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you
will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in
your sins." So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to
them, "What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in
condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell
the world." They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the
Father. So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you
will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what
the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone,
because I always do what is pleasing to him." Because he spoke this way,
many came to believe in him.
3) Reflection
• Last week, the Liturgy led us to meditate on chapter five of
the Gospel of John. This week it confronts us with chapter 8 of the same
Gospel. Like chapter 5, chapter 8 also contains profound reflections on the
mystery of God which surrounds the person of Jesus. It is a dialogue between
Jesus and the Pharisees (Jn 8:13). The Pharisees want to know who Jesus is.
They criticize Him because He gives testimony of himself without any proof or
witness to legitimize himself before the people (Jn 8:13). Jesus responds by
saying that He does not speak in His own name, but always for the Father and in
the name of the Father (Jn 8:14-19).
• In reality, the dialogues are also an expression of how the
faith was transmitted in the catechesis in the communities of the beloved
disciple toward the end of the first century. They show the prayerful reading
of the word of Jesus that the Christians did, considering it Word of God. The
method of question and answer helped to find the response to the problems which
the Jews raised to the Christians toward the end of the first century. It was a
concrete way to help the community to deepen its faith in Jesus and in His
message.
• John 8:21-22: Where I am going, you cannot come. Here John
presents a new theme or another aspect which surrounds the person of Jesus.
Jesus speaks about His departure and says that where He is going the Pharisees
cannot follow Him. “I am going away; you will look for Me and you will die in
your sin“. They will look for Jesus, but will not find Him, because they do not
know Him and will look for Him with mistaken criteria. They live in sin and
will die in sin. To live in sin is to live far away from God. They imagine God
in a certain way, but God is different from what they imagine. This is why they
are not capable to recognize the presence of God in Jesus. The Pharisees do not
understand what Jesus wants to say and they take everything just literally: “Is
He going to kill himself?”
• John 8:23-24: You are from here below; I am from above. The
Pharisees consider everything according to the criteria of this world. “You are
from this world; I am not from this world!” The framework of reference which
guides Jesus in everything which He says and does is the world above, that is,
God, Father, and the mission which He has received from the Father. The
framework of reference of the Pharisees is the world below, without openness,
closed up in its own criteria. This is why they live in sin. To live in sin is
not to have the gaze of Jesus on their life. The look of Jesus is totally open
toward God up to the point that God himself is in Him in all His fullness (cf.
Col 1:19). We say: “Jesus is God”. John invites us to say: “God is Jesus!”.
This is why Jesus says: “If you do not believe that I AM HE, you will die in
your sins”. I AM is the affirmation with which God presents himself to Moses at
the moment of liberating His people from the oppression of Egypt (Ex 3:13-14).
This is the maximum expression of the absolute certainty of the fact that God
is in our midst in the person of Jesus. Jesus is the definitive proof of the
fact that God is with us. Emmanuel.
• John 8:25-26: Who are you? The mystery of God in Jesus does
not fit into the criteria with which the Pharisees judge Jesus. Once again they
ask: “who are you?” They did not understand because they do not understand
Jesus’ language. Jesus was very careful to speak to them according to all that
He experienced and lived in union with the Father and for the knowledge and
awareness of His mission. Jesus does not promote himself. He only says and
expresses what He hears from the Father. He is the pure revelation because He
is pure and total obedience.
• John 8:27-30: When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you
will know that I AM HE. The Pharisees did not understand that Jesus, in
everything He says and does, is the expression of the Father. They will
understand it only after the Son of man will be lifted up. “Then you will know
that I AM HE”. The word lifted up has a double sense, to be lifted up on the
Cross and to be lifted up to the right hand of the Father. The Good News of the
death and resurrection reveals who Jesus is, and they will know that Jesus is
the presence of God in our midst. The foundation of this certainty of our faith
is twofold: on the one side, the certainty that the Father is always with Jesus
and He never remains alone and, on the other side, the radical and total
obedience of Jesus to the Father, which becomes total openness and total
transparency of the Father for us.
4) Personal questions
• The one who wraps up in his own rules and thinks that he
already knows everything, will never be capable of understanding others. This
is the way the Pharisees were before Jesus. How do I accept the new while not
losing the truths in doctrine and tradition?
• Jesus is radical obedience to the Father, and because of this,
He is total revelation of the Father. What is the image of God which I show and
which comes from me?
5) Concluding Prayer
Yahweh, hear my prayer,
let my cry for help reach You.
Do not turn away Your face from me
when I am in trouble;
bend down and listen to me, when I call,
be quick to answer me! (Ps 102:1-2)
let my cry for help reach You.
Do not turn away Your face from me
when I am in trouble;
bend down and listen to me, when I call,
be quick to answer me! (Ps 102:1-2)
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