THE WORD BECAMEFLESH

Thursday in the fifth week in Lent, 2021

Jer 20: 10-13

Ps 18

John 10:31-42

Why stone me?

Dear friends in Christ, today’s gospel reveals another attempt on the life of Jesus. Just because the leaders were unwilling to accept him as the Messiah. Is there someone you are stoning now because of your differences?

In our first reading today Jeremiah, we see the anguish of the faithful servant of God who is hounded on all sides by those who are unwilling to change their ways and who are not tolerant of the one who is calling them to a change of life. Jeremiah heard the whisper of many, “‘Terror is on every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ Say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall. Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him.” It pays to be good and to be steadfast in God. Even in the moments of such adversity, strong faith in God is all that is needed on the side of the just. That is what we find in this prophet, as he moved from despair to praise. When your life seems close to death, when all around you abandon you for worldly gains, for as long as you are in Christ, you are still in the majority. Once you have the Lord for your Shepherd, you shall want nothing; you shall have no reason to fear. According to Jeremiah, “But the Lord is with me, a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, they will not overcome me…O Lord…for to you I have committed my cause…”

Good Friday is exactly a week away today, and the gospel (John 10:31-42) tells us, about an attempt on the life of Jesus. Not long ago, Jesus had saved the woman caught in adultery from being stoned by the mob under the guise of the Law of Moses. Now the stoning turns to Jesus himself which made him to ask them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father, for which of these do you stone me?” Their claim of blasphemy does not stand. It will only do so, if Jesus were falsely claiming to be the Son of God. He however told them that the works are the testimony to what he has revealed. If you do not believe me, believe the works that I do. Even if someone does not believe your word, your good works should speak for you as a Christian. Our actions are of great importance in the proclamation of the Gospel. We must live the life that we preach or our preaching will end up as mere talk.

Do not be afraid of those who are holding on to their stones, because of you. Let your work speak eloquently of your faith.

Let us pray: Lord be my courage in the face of both temptations and the animosity of those who do not accept your word. Help me to live out what I preach as your disciple. Amen.

+Remain blessed