Readings for Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 17:3-9
In ancient tradition, God names Abram – Abraham and takes dominion over him. He establishes his covenant and, in return for faithful worship from Abraham and his descendents, God promises to make Abraham’s line interminable and the land he lives in a permanent possession. It is interesting to note that this action takes place after the birth of Ishmael to Hagar and before the birth of Isaac to Sarai, his wife.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
This section of Psalm 105, a song of thanksgiving, recalls God’s covenant with Abraham, the promise of the Land of Canaan and calls for continued faithfulness.
Gospel Jn 8:51-59
St. John’s Gospel continues Jesus’ dialogue with the Jews in the Temple area. He again alludes to the resurrection of the faithful (“…whoever keeps my word will never see death.”) but these Jews either do not understand or do not believe in the resurrection. They challenge Jesus, asking if he places himself above Abraham and the prophets who died.
In response, the Lord reiterates his relationship to the Father and in doing so makes clear that Abraham would have recognized his status because He (Jesus) is eternal (“…before Abraham came to be, I Am.” ) He uses the title God ascribes to himself and that reserved to the Logos – the word made flesh.
Not understanding the truth of Jesus’ words, the Jews “picked up stones” to punish him for blasphemy but Jesus left the temple area.
Homily:
This discourse between Jesus and the Jews in the Temple Precincts we have been following for the past several days has an allegory in our hearts. The Jews in this story represent the doubt we have, doubt expressed in our fear of worldly pressure, doubt expressed in our pursuit of self-fulfillment, and doubt that takes the form of greed or envy. All these things that come, not from God but from darker places, would argue as the Jews do, that Jesus cannot be the Son of God.
And there also in our hearts stands the Son of God saying to us look – I have existed before time, I am the one that will show you the face of God. He tells us, almost pleads with us to keep his word and tells us, if we do we will never taste death but will have eternal life.
Yet our doubt persists and the battle continues to rage. If this were not true, would we fear death? When we completely accept the Lord we find his peace. His promise is two fold, peace in this life and a home with him in heaven in the next.
Yes, the battle rages within us still. Once more we hear St. John’s words and the promise of Jesus that seeks to bring us to that peace that we may only experience in fleeting moments of absolute certainty. We pray today that we may find that peace and submit our lives completely to the Lord.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Abraham's Journey to Canaan” by Pieter Pietersz. Lastman, 1614
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 17:3-9
In ancient tradition, God names Abram – Abraham and takes dominion over him. He establishes his covenant and, in return for faithful worship from Abraham and his descendents, God promises to make Abraham’s line interminable and the land he lives in a permanent possession. It is interesting to note that this action takes place after the birth of Ishmael to Hagar and before the birth of Isaac to Sarai, his wife.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
This section of Psalm 105, a song of thanksgiving, recalls God’s covenant with Abraham, the promise of the Land of Canaan and calls for continued faithfulness.
Gospel Jn 8:51-59
St. John’s Gospel continues Jesus’ dialogue with the Jews in the Temple area. He again alludes to the resurrection of the faithful (“…whoever keeps my word will never see death.”) but these Jews either do not understand or do not believe in the resurrection. They challenge Jesus, asking if he places himself above Abraham and the prophets who died.
In response, the Lord reiterates his relationship to the Father and in doing so makes clear that Abraham would have recognized his status because He (Jesus) is eternal (“…before Abraham came to be, I Am.” ) He uses the title God ascribes to himself and that reserved to the Logos – the word made flesh.
Not understanding the truth of Jesus’ words, the Jews “picked up stones” to punish him for blasphemy but Jesus left the temple area.
Homily:
This discourse between Jesus and the Jews in the Temple Precincts we have been following for the past several days has an allegory in our hearts. The Jews in this story represent the doubt we have, doubt expressed in our fear of worldly pressure, doubt expressed in our pursuit of self-fulfillment, and doubt that takes the form of greed or envy. All these things that come, not from God but from darker places, would argue as the Jews do, that Jesus cannot be the Son of God.
And there also in our hearts stands the Son of God saying to us look – I have existed before time, I am the one that will show you the face of God. He tells us, almost pleads with us to keep his word and tells us, if we do we will never taste death but will have eternal life.
Yet our doubt persists and the battle continues to rage. If this were not true, would we fear death? When we completely accept the Lord we find his peace. His promise is two fold, peace in this life and a home with him in heaven in the next.
Yes, the battle rages within us still. Once more we hear St. John’s words and the promise of Jesus that seeks to bring us to that peace that we may only experience in fleeting moments of absolute certainty. We pray today that we may find that peace and submit our lives completely to the Lord.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Abraham's Journey to Canaan” by Pieter Pietersz. Lastman, 1614
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