Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Gospel

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.

Jn 8:51-59

Reflection

In our Gospel, Jesus confronts the Pharisees’ disbelief and rejection of him. Jesus asserts his divinity and his eternal nature, saying, “before Abraham came to be, I am.” This bold statement leaves the Pharisees shocked and angry, and they pick up stones to throw at him.

Jesus shows his unwavering confidence in his divine mission and his unwavering commitment to the truth. Despite the Pharisees’ disbelief and rejection, Jesus remains steadfast in his message and his identity as the Son of God.

As we reflect on the Gospel, let us remember the power of belief and the importance of staying true to our convictions, our values and our identity, even in the face of rejection or disbelief.

May we embrace the eternal life that Jesus promises and live each day with faith and conviction in our hearts.

Action

Do our actions reflect our conviction of our belief in God? Today let us practice acts of kindness with sincerity to those people whom we do not often encounter that they may come to know that we truly believe in God.

Fr. Geety Reyes, FCM

Associate Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi ANCC