Good morning good people may the Lord bless with grace and peace in the Holy Spirit.
It is 07th April 2022. We reflect on Genesis 17:3-9 and John 8:51-59.
A preacher agreed to call the most notorious gangster in the town a saint at his funeral at the threat and force of his own brother. The preacher began his sermon, “Ladies and Gentlemen we are gathered here today to mourn upon the most wicked, the most hateful, and maybe the worst person I have ever met in my life but compared to his brother that is sitting in front of me. He was a saint.”
We arrive at the search for the identity of Jesus in today’s readings amidst promises to Abraham and protests to Jesus.
Though the world finds it hard to spell the identity of Jesus and remains divided in fragments, the passage attempts to convince us with four claims from Jesus, God, and Man. There are so many disagreements, tension, and division than agreements, acceptance, and respect for the view of others.
How do we feel when we are found at fault for everything we do, say, and behave? Won’t we be frustrated and frantic to move out of the situation and people?
It is not only the Jews but even his family members and brothers who did not believe in Him because they were confused about His identity.
Who is Jesus? Is He Messiah or demon-possessed? There is so much frustration in the air, heart and in the words. Who Jesus is for us? Have we figured it out? Or are we frustrated too?
Jesus claims that He was the fulfilment of God’s promises to Abraham, he existed before Abraham, He knew God intimately and personally, He is the Word of the Father,
As we are in the last few days to enter the Holy Week, we could be also frustrated for not having done enough for Lent this year in preparing ourselves. Maybe we have become lethargic than loving, complacent than complementing, relaxed than rejuvenating, justifying than joyful.
What efforts have we made during these weeks of Lent to minimize the moments of sinfulness and maximize loving Jesus? We all promised during the General absolution that we will be back to the merciful doors of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but the reality of the turn-out for confessions shows the opposite.
At the end of all our sacrifices, penance, prayers, and efforts, if we cannot and failed to confess like St. Martha, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Jn 11:27), then the entire period of will just pass without any impact on our spiritual life as a show, formality, and mere ritual.
Are we truly able to believe in the divinity of Jesus without any incentives and interests? May God help us to recognize the identity of Jesus, as He is our Way, Life, and Truth.