THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT, APRIL 10, 2025

MASS READINGS

Gospel

John 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." So the Jews said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death. 'Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God. 'You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

REFLECTION

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." 

The Jews did not understand what Jesus was saying or they chose not to believe or they excused Him away by stating loudly that he was possessed. I can see their angry, perplexed faces and the body language all showing their contempt for Jesus. No matter what, the Jews did not like Him and wanted to be rid of Him.

And so it happened that the end was near only because God allowed it to complete the purpose of the Passion and Crucifixion of the Christ. This was His mission to save us.

God's love simply overcomes all and brings us into heaven because of our faithfulness, love and keeping His Word.

Every promise God made has been kept and He promises to those who keep His Word that they will never die. As with all things, we can argue or we can keep asking questions because we want to know more. The sin of pride and arrogance can be the wall that we don't need to climb if we acknowledge that there is so much more out there that we simply do not know or can explain.

The Jews were arguing and accusing Jesus of being possessed; whereas, we are asked to follow and keep His Word and though we will have earthly deaths, our body will live with Him for eternity. Ask for the faith and the enlightening by the Holy Spirit. The promise is...if you keep His Word, you will have eternal life.

Where did the Jews want to go? Where do you want to go?

God Bless You