March 23, 2018
Friday, 5th Week of Lent
1st Reading: Jer 20:10–13
Gospel: Jn 10:31–42
The Jews picked up stones to throw at Jesus; so he said, “I have openly done many good works among you which the Father gave me to do. For which of these do you stone me?”
The Jews answered, “We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for insulting God; you are only a man and you make yourself God.”
Then Jesus replied, “Is this not written in your Law: I said: you are gods? So those who received this word of God were called gods and the Scripture is always true. Then what should be said of the one anointed and sent into the world by the Father? Am I insulting God when I say: ‘I am the Son of God’?
“If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you have no faith in me, believe because of the works I do, and know that the Father is in me and I in the Father.”
Again they tried to arrest him, but Jesus escaped from their hands. He went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John had baptized, and there he stayed. (…)
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
The Jews pressured Jesus for a straightforward answer to their query about his identity (John 10:24-25). Jesus replied: “I have told you but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name are my witnesses, but you do not believe…” (John 10: 26-30). Jesus was short of saying they were too dull to get the point. His miraculous works would have been enough proof that he was the One sent from above. This conversation must have happened at the hearing of many people because this transpired at the Temple area. How embarrassing! For this they wanted to kill Jesus.
Jesus fought back, but not with swords and clubs but with logic. He said, “I have openly done many good works among you… For which of these do you stone me?” Using the art of argumentation Jesus pinned the Jews into recognizing his mighty works. They said, “We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for insulting God; you are only a man and you make yourself God.” This was tantamount to acknowledging Jesus’ good works and indirectly admitting the evidences backing up Jesus’ claim.
All active-non-violent means employed by Jesus proved futile; the Pharisees still sought to kill Jesus. Jesus explained this stubbornness in this fashion: “You do not believe because you are no sheep of mine. The sheep that belongs to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me” (John 10:26-28).
As we go through this season of Lent, let us ask for the gift of faith so that we may not persist in our unbelief. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M. Email: dan.delosangeles@gmail.com.
May comment ka ba sa column ni Father Dan? May tanong ka ba sa kanya?
I-type ang BANDERA REACT <message/ name/age/address> at i-send sa 4467.