24 March, 2023 | Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

 Gospel Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee;

he did not wish to travel in Judea,

because the Jews were trying to kill him.

But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.

But when his brothers had gone up to the feast,

he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said,

"Is he not the one they are trying to kill?

And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him.

Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?

But we know where he is from.

When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from."

So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said,

"You know me and also know where I am from.

Yet I did not come on my own,

but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.

I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me."

So they tried to arrest him,

but no one laid a hand upon him,

because his hour had not yet come.

 

Reflection: 

In today’s gospel we find Jesus as the one who is the reason for some confusion in the minds of many people. Although Jesus knows that he has become the target of religious leaders he goes about fearlessly speaking freely. However Jesus does not expose himself unnecessarily to danger. The Jews were seeking to kill Jesus because they refused to accept anyone who challenged them beyond their convictions no matter how many miracles he performed and how good was his preaching. Even though the mission of Jesus was difficult he remained faithful to his God-given mission. In this way Jesus is teaching us to be faithful to our own calling, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. When the environment in which we live is not supportive of a life of faith we could easily get discouraged. 

Activity :

Today learn from Jesus to be steadfast in your life of faith and trust in the abiding presence of God with you.