Lenten Journey, March 18

Let us Pray: Lord, be with us today. Help us live so that there is “More of Thee, and less of me” in our daily actions. Amen
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek always the face of the Lord. Psalm 104:3-4
Jn 5:31-47Jesus 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 behalfthat 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 anotherand 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?”


Today’s Gospel shows the struggle Jesus is having with the Jewish community. He wants them to take Him seriously. Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true….But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave to me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” Many theologians believe that Jesus came to know more clearly what his mission in life was while he spent 40 days and nights in the desert. He came to understand the “works” that his Father had given Him to accomplish.Those “works” were to show – by his words and actions – who He was and to show us how to cultivate a prayerful relationship with the Father, to forgive, and to love one another as God loves us. In our 40 days how might we come to know more clearly our mission and call from the Father. We can cultivate a closer prayerful relationship with our Father,we can forgive others for what they have done to us; to forgive ourselves because God has forgiven us first. We can love one another as children of God. During Holy Week we join Jesus as He carries the cross for us and spend time in reflecting on His Passion. All of Jesus’ deeds and actions are for us.

Teach us to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Church, that it may be more effective for ourselves and for the world as the sacrament of salvation. Lover of mankind, inspire us to work for human progress, seeking to spread your kingdom in all we do. May our hearts thirst for Christ, the fountain of living water. Forgive us our sins, and direct our steps into the ways of justice and sincerity.