20 March, 2024 | Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

 Reading : Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95

Gospel Jn 8:31-42

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,

"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham

and have never been enslaved to anyone.

How can you say, 'You will become free'?"

Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you,

everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.

A slave does not remain in a household forever,

but a son always remains.

So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.

I know that you are descendants of Abraham.

But you are trying to kill me,

because my word has no room among you.

I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence;

then do what you have heard from the Father."

They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham."

Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children,

you would be doing the works of Abraham.

But now you are trying to kill me,

a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;

Abraham did not do this.

You are doing the works of your father!"

So they said to him, "We were not born of fornication.

We have one Father, God."

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me,

for I came from God and am here;

I did not come on my own, but he sent me."

Reflections: 

Jesus' hearers were stuck in their sense of themselves, in the pride they took in their heritage. Perhaps I can admit that I too have sometimes climbed the wrong heights, have congratulated myself mistakenly. I know that my true dignity lies in my being a child of God. I pray that I may show my true worth in how I live and call others to a deeper and richer sense of themselves. Freedom today usually means "freedom to do as I please".  This notion of freedom, however, is a mask for servitude to one's passions and unruly desires and to the power of sin.  

Activity 

 Today listen to Jesus, in the silence of your heart and ask for the grace to overcome any addiction.