We must not wish anything other than what happens from moment to moment, all the while, however, exercising ourselves in goodness.
- St. Catherine of Genoa (The present moment is where life is lived. Be open to opportunities to give and receive love throughout this day.) |
Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23 Jn 5:31-47 Jesus said to the Jews:
"If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.
But there is another who testifies on my behalf,
and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the
truth.
I do not accept human testimony,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
He was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his
light.
But I have testimony greater than John's.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent
me.
Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.
But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
and you do not have his word remaining in you,
because you do
not believe in the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to
come to me to have life. "I do not accept human praise;
moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.
I came in the name of my Father,
but you do not accept me;
yet if another comes in his own name,
you will accept him.
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:
the one who will accuse you is Moses,
in whom you have placed your hope.
For if you had believed Moses,
you would have believed me,
because he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe his writings,
how will you believe my words?" Reflection on the Scriptures
Our first reading presents the case of God versus the Israelites with Moses
serving as the defense lawyer. Moses staves off God’s punishment with two brilliant arguments. First, God’s punishment of the Israelites would only invite gloating from the Egyptians. Second, Moses recalls God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Thus reminded, God’s own integrity and faithfulness results in God “dropping the charges” and punishment. In the second reading, Jesus begins in the role of the defendant with the Jewish authorities playing the role of the accusers. Jesus knows he cannot claim to be equal to God without being guilty of blasphemy. And according to Jewish law, he cannot legally testify on his behalf. So, he calls to the stand a parade of witnesses. First is John the Baptist who was a light, but
also human. So, Jesus points to his works, which are the same works of his Father. Jesus also points to Scripture that testifies on his behalf. Then Jesus turns the tables and becomes the plaintiff, accusing those who sued him.
Jesus invokes Moses, charging that the authorities do not believe Moses. They fail to understand the life-giving power of the word spoken to them through Moses and the prophets. We may be like the Israelites who have turned away
from God, worshipping other idols such as fame and fortune. Or we may be like the Jewish authorities, believing we are righteous with God while ignoring the reality that we do not have the love of God in us. During this Lenten season, may we turn towards God and hear those who testify on behalf of Christ. And may we join our voices with theirs, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord.
-by John Shea, S.J.
Proverbs for Perspective and Spiritual Living by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. From Pathways to Serenity, 1989, Liguori Publications; reprinted by Contemplative Ministries, Inc., 2013 (Minor editing applied.)
- https://shalomplace.com/view/pathview.html Included in Light for the Christian Journey, 2020: Contemplative Ministries, Inc.
https://shalomplace.com/view/light-journey.html
I. Perspectives
4. The universe is God’s farm, and the people of the world are all seeds of sorts, sown by God to ripen when the time is
right.
5. There are five challenges you must face. If any are neglected, growth will be distorted.
* Love God above all else.
* Love others as
yourself.
* Work hard, using your talents for good.
* Enjoy what you can when you can.
* Accept sufferings when they come and learn from them.
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