MY daily reflection and prayer:
Thursday, March 17, 2016
The Fifth Week of Lent
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. John 8:51-59
Yesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, `If any one keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you claim to be?”Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God. But you have not known him; I know him. If I said, I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” The Jews then said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
IN today’s Gospel, we find Jesus who challenges his listeners to have the best quality of life. When the Jews speak of death in a material way, Jesus speaks of it in a spiritual way. He warns us about the gravity of spiritual death, which is the consequence of serious sin.
Jesus Christ also calls us to raise the eyes of the heart and soul to a spiritual level. He always challenges us to go higher. Lent season is the time to go higher and deeper, especially through the positive practices of prayer, penance and almsgiving.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, while adoring Jesus Christ we ask the Holy Spirit and the spirit of faith. Only both of them can help us to understand the things of God.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the Holy Spirit and the spirit of faith, hope and love to understand all things of God and goodness. May we live our faith in a higher level to testimony on your love to the world forever and ever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
