Readings for Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jer 20:10-13
While we can clearly see the prophetic quality of this reading from Jeremiah as it relates to Jesus, the prophet himself was being plotted against by his own family. Even adversity has a role in God’s plan. In the face of these attacks, Jeremiah was steadfast in his faith in God’s salvific power.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
This song of thanksgiving supports the faith professed by Jeremiah in the first reading.
Gospel Jn 10:31-42
The Jews again are ready to stone Jesus for blasphemy (he (Jesus) had just finished the wonderful discourse on the “Good Shepherd” which ended with “The Father and I are one."). The Lord deflects their intent by pointing to their own scripture (Psalm 82:6) and asks them to judge his origins based upon the works he has done. Tensions are high.
Reflection:
The Gospel of John paints a vivid picture of the emotional interplay between Jesus and the Jewish Temple leaders. This is the second time in as many days the scripture passages from St. John have told us they (the Scribes and Pharisees) were ready to stone Jesus for claiming he was God. If we had been there, would we have been picking up stones?
The Christ is breaking new ground with a people with long traditions. Yes, Old Testament scripture had predicted a Messiah. Yes, Jesus has pointed out numerous times how he came to fulfill those prophetic verses. But still, he did not meet the expectations, or perhaps it was the hopes of the religious leaders of the day. They wanted the Messiah, but they expected he would come with a flaming sword and crown to cast out the Romans and re-establish the Davidic Dynasty. Can we blame them for not understanding?
To use an analogy, two young children were just reported to have discovered a diamond worth thousands of dollars at a state park in Georgia. They picked up an interesting rock they presumed to be quartz and when it was examined more closely the unassuming stone was appraised at its true value. Thousands of people had waked by that rock, even though diamonds had been found in the area previously, and assumed it was just a rock.
To use a more useful analogy, one that links to the Gospel, how often do we walk past people or encounter people and ignore the fact that they too have Christ dwelling within them? Do we look for the divine spark and see the Lord resting upon them?
Today in scripture Jesus asks the Jews: “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” We will be known by our works and should know others the same way. We are reminded of another statement made by the Lord; “seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened for you.”
Pax
[1] After 04/07
[2] The image presented today is “Jesus before the Temple” by Marcantonio Raimondi, ~1510
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Jer 20:10-13
While we can clearly see the prophetic quality of this reading from Jeremiah as it relates to Jesus, the prophet himself was being plotted against by his own family. Even adversity has a role in God’s plan. In the face of these attacks, Jeremiah was steadfast in his faith in God’s salvific power.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
This song of thanksgiving supports the faith professed by Jeremiah in the first reading.
Gospel Jn 10:31-42
The Jews again are ready to stone Jesus for blasphemy (he (Jesus) had just finished the wonderful discourse on the “Good Shepherd” which ended with “The Father and I are one."). The Lord deflects their intent by pointing to their own scripture (Psalm 82:6) and asks them to judge his origins based upon the works he has done. Tensions are high.
Reflection:
The Gospel of John paints a vivid picture of the emotional interplay between Jesus and the Jewish Temple leaders. This is the second time in as many days the scripture passages from St. John have told us they (the Scribes and Pharisees) were ready to stone Jesus for claiming he was God. If we had been there, would we have been picking up stones?
The Christ is breaking new ground with a people with long traditions. Yes, Old Testament scripture had predicted a Messiah. Yes, Jesus has pointed out numerous times how he came to fulfill those prophetic verses. But still, he did not meet the expectations, or perhaps it was the hopes of the religious leaders of the day. They wanted the Messiah, but they expected he would come with a flaming sword and crown to cast out the Romans and re-establish the Davidic Dynasty. Can we blame them for not understanding?
To use an analogy, two young children were just reported to have discovered a diamond worth thousands of dollars at a state park in Georgia. They picked up an interesting rock they presumed to be quartz and when it was examined more closely the unassuming stone was appraised at its true value. Thousands of people had waked by that rock, even though diamonds had been found in the area previously, and assumed it was just a rock.
To use a more useful analogy, one that links to the Gospel, how often do we walk past people or encounter people and ignore the fact that they too have Christ dwelling within them? Do we look for the divine spark and see the Lord resting upon them?
Today in scripture Jesus asks the Jews: “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” We will be known by our works and should know others the same way. We are reminded of another statement made by the Lord; “seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened for you.”
Pax
[1] After 04/07
[2] The image presented today is “Jesus before the Temple” by Marcantonio Raimondi, ~1510
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