Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 22, 2024

Date:  Friday of the 5th Week of Lent

Scripture Text:  John 10:31-42

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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading today shows us again the blindness of those who rejected Jesus as the Son of God. As Jesus asks,” 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.” Clearly, Jesus’ works and teachings pointed to his relationship with the Almighty Father.  

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Have I opened myself wholly to Jesus as the Christ, the Son of our Living God? Have I accepted His love for me? Have I surrendered to that love? Or am I still blind to my need for Him?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to take on our human nature and from among us to reconcile us to You because we refused to return to with all our heart. He who was without sin paid the price selflessly for our sins. Send your Spirit to stir within us and open us to the fullness of your Son’s gift to us as our savior, our redeemer. Grant that our eyes may be opened, and our hearts tenderized so that we may accept His gift and surrender to His loving mercy. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.