Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 4, 2025

Friday of the 4th Week of Lent

Scripture Text: John 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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

In today’s gospel text, the inhabitants of Jerusalem questioned whether Jesus could be the Messiah because they felt they knew Him and from where he came. Jesus challenges their assertions because they do not understand His relationship with the Almighty Father.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I question who Jesus is?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You are love and in, with, and through your love, You sent your only-begotten Son to dwell among us, to take upon himself our human nature, to reveal You and your love for us, and to give himself selflessly to redeem us. Send your Spirit to tenderize our hearts and minds so that we might more perfectly and wholly accept Jesus, your beloved Son, and His transformative love. Grant that we may grow into the daughters and sons You created us to and into the disciples He calls us to be. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.