Gospel: John 5:31-47
Jesus said to the Jews:
“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.
But there is another who testifies on my behalf,
and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept human testimony,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
He was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John’s.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.
Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.
But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
and you do not have his word remaining in you,
because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to come to me to have life.
“I do not accept human praise;
moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.
I came in the name of my Father,
but you do not accept me;
yet if another comes in his own name,
you will accept him.
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:
the one who will accuse you is Moses,
in whom you have placed your hope.
For if you had believed Moses,
you would have believed me,
because he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe his writings,
how will you believe my words?”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for available.
Reflection:
After observing how I looked after a group of rowdy students in the library, a colleague remarked that I must have been brave and patient for being a teacher. On another occasion, a friend asked me how I was able to make time on a lot of things – family, work, the parish, etc. On my own, I would not have been that brave, patient, organized, or even good. Relying on my own efforts would bring me nowhere. As I start the day, I would pray “Lord, keep me faithful, just for today.” I keep on repeating these words especially when the going gets tough. At the end of the day, I give thanks to the Lord; credit goes to Him whose grace has kept me going.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Jews: “The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” All of us have a calling from God. Some of us were called to family life, as a married couple and parents. Some of us have been called to the priesthood, religious life, or single blessedness. Lent is a blessed time to become more aware of our vocation and how this can be a blessing for the world. Let us humbly ask God to work in and through us, the way He worked in and through Jesus.
- How do you allow God to work in your vocation?
- What steps are you taking to “let go and let God”?
- What areas in your life need the life that Jesus could give?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. We offer ourselves to You. Use us for the Father’s glory and the salvation of our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Suggested Lenten penance: Send a thank-you note to someone to whom you owe a debt of gratitude.
(Pietro)
