Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Readings for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jer 11:18-20
In this selection we hear the Prophet Jeremiah reflecting on a plot against his life (this plot according to other scripture was initiated by his own family). He speaks prophetically of the event and provides images that will later associate this passage to the plots against Jesus in his last days.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12
R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.
Psalm 7 is a lament. In the verses used here, we find the psalmist also being persecuted and like Jeremiah, calling on the Lord for protection and salvation.
Gospel Jn 7:40-53
The irony of St. John’s Gospel shows in the first part of this passage. The crowd is pointing at facts about the Davidic Messiah, specifically where he was prophesied to have been born. They name the prophecy – the Messiah will be from the line of King David, and Jesus is; and he will have been born in Bethlehem, as Jesus was. Not knowing these facts the crowd is not wholly convinced.
In the second part we here the deliberations in the Sanhedrin – why had the guards not arrested him? Here we can infer that the crowd actually prevented that as the religious leaders cynically say that “the crowd which does not know the law is accursed”. After more discussion, they are still not ready to act and return to their homes, action for the moment is delayed.
Reflection:
When we look at what is going on with the Prophet Jeremiah and what St. John’s Gospel is saying about the Lord we see the a similar theme. In both cases, the people they (Jeremiah and Jesus) love are plotting to kill them.
The reactions of Jeremiah and Jesus as recorded in scripture show us something unique. In essence the difference in their response shows us why Christ came.
In Jeremiah, after the prophet described the plot against his life, he called upon the Lord. He did NOT ask God to forgive those who were trying to kill him. He did NOT pray for their salvation. He did NOT, in charity, hope for them to turn away least they condemn themselves by their own actions. No, Jeremiah prayed to God; “Let me witness the vengeance you take on them”. He fully expected the God of Justice to not only thwart the plot but to visit extreme punishment upon the plotters.
The image of God’s law held by the Hebrews did not include the idea that God loved them as a parent. Rather they viewed the Lord as a Master and themselves as possessions, subject to the whims of a God who for his own reasons could take revenge, cause humiliation and would, in support of His people, kill.
Christ changed that image completely. When he was confronted by ignorant people plotting against his life, he did NOT, as he easily could have, call down heavenly vengeance upon the plotters. He did NOT, condemn them to eternal damnation. He did NOT curse them for their ignorance. He loved them and prayed for them and humbly, “like a trusting lamb led to slaughter”, allowed them to fulfill the role to which the evil one had led them.
And what are we to learn from these examples? Clearly the Lord gave us his view of God’s loving face and called us to be like Him. While we have tried to do this in the past and failed, we are called again and again. The Lord will not give up on us and we must never give up on Him. Even in our darkest hour, he is with us, calling us to himself. All we need to do is answer.
Pax
[1] After 04/07
[2] The Image presented today is “Jesus among the Doctors in the Temple” by Paolo Veronese, 1558
Readings for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jer 11:18-20
In this selection we hear the Prophet Jeremiah reflecting on a plot against his life (this plot according to other scripture was initiated by his own family). He speaks prophetically of the event and provides images that will later associate this passage to the plots against Jesus in his last days.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12
R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.
Psalm 7 is a lament. In the verses used here, we find the psalmist also being persecuted and like Jeremiah, calling on the Lord for protection and salvation.
Gospel Jn 7:40-53
The irony of St. John’s Gospel shows in the first part of this passage. The crowd is pointing at facts about the Davidic Messiah, specifically where he was prophesied to have been born. They name the prophecy – the Messiah will be from the line of King David, and Jesus is; and he will have been born in Bethlehem, as Jesus was. Not knowing these facts the crowd is not wholly convinced.
In the second part we here the deliberations in the Sanhedrin – why had the guards not arrested him? Here we can infer that the crowd actually prevented that as the religious leaders cynically say that “the crowd which does not know the law is accursed”. After more discussion, they are still not ready to act and return to their homes, action for the moment is delayed.
Reflection:
When we look at what is going on with the Prophet Jeremiah and what St. John’s Gospel is saying about the Lord we see the a similar theme. In both cases, the people they (Jeremiah and Jesus) love are plotting to kill them.
The reactions of Jeremiah and Jesus as recorded in scripture show us something unique. In essence the difference in their response shows us why Christ came.
In Jeremiah, after the prophet described the plot against his life, he called upon the Lord. He did NOT ask God to forgive those who were trying to kill him. He did NOT pray for their salvation. He did NOT, in charity, hope for them to turn away least they condemn themselves by their own actions. No, Jeremiah prayed to God; “Let me witness the vengeance you take on them”. He fully expected the God of Justice to not only thwart the plot but to visit extreme punishment upon the plotters.
The image of God’s law held by the Hebrews did not include the idea that God loved them as a parent. Rather they viewed the Lord as a Master and themselves as possessions, subject to the whims of a God who for his own reasons could take revenge, cause humiliation and would, in support of His people, kill.
Christ changed that image completely. When he was confronted by ignorant people plotting against his life, he did NOT, as he easily could have, call down heavenly vengeance upon the plotters. He did NOT, condemn them to eternal damnation. He did NOT curse them for their ignorance. He loved them and prayed for them and humbly, “like a trusting lamb led to slaughter”, allowed them to fulfill the role to which the evil one had led them.
And what are we to learn from these examples? Clearly the Lord gave us his view of God’s loving face and called us to be like Him. While we have tried to do this in the past and failed, we are called again and again. The Lord will not give up on us and we must never give up on Him. Even in our darkest hour, he is with us, calling us to himself. All we need to do is answer.
Pax
[1] After 04/07
[2] The Image presented today is “Jesus among the Doctors in the Temple” by Paolo Veronese, 1558
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