The Fourth Friday of Lent

“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.

People are constantly persecuting Jesus throughout the Gospels. They argue with him, belittle him, try to arrest and even kill him. They convince themselves that they are right and he is wrong. We act the same way when we sin against God. We make ourselves into judges of others and decide what is right and wrong for ourselves instead of trusting the teachings of the Church. The pride behind these thoughts can destroy our lives and the lives of others. This is why it is so important to remind ourselves that Jesus's example and teachings should be the guiding factor of our lives and not our self-interests because we too were sent to this world for a reason only God knows.

Are there areas in our lives where we belittle or push away God? How can we foster within ourselves a spirit of dependence on God and His Divine Truth? What can we do to ensure God's Will is being done through us and not our own?

O Lord, we come from you, lead us to where you need us to be.

Amen.