Daily Gospel and Commentary: “THE FATHER IS IN ME AND I AM IN THE FATHER (v. 38)” Jn 10 (31-42).
Gospel Friday, 5th week of Lent.
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.
He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.
GOSPEL COMMENTARY
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.”
- Blinded by their pride, cynicism, incredulity, and envy, the Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus’ miracles and what the Scriptures say about Him, though irrefutable, were not enough to open the eyes of the Jews, simply because faith is a free response of man. No matter how convincing the proofs may be, if man does not want to believe, then God cannot force him to.
- In spite of the impending violence awaiting him, Jesus stood his ground and fearlessly confessed his divinity, insisting that “the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Why? Because it is the truth. Jesus gives us a formidable example to imitate. We should not be afraid of the consequences of doing what is right and true, even at the expense of our life.
- So many saints and exemplary Christians have imitated Our Lord’s example, thereby producing fruits of holiness, and of martyrdom in the midst of persecution, which is not a thing of the past but is actually happening in different parts of the world.
Lord, may we never be afraid of living according to truth, and acting according to our faith, even at the cost of our possessions and even our life. May we overcome our pride, incredulity and envy which leads to spiritual blindness and obstination. Rather, help us be humble so as to be able to grow in our faith in you and all you have revealed through the Scriptures and your Church.
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