Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Intention: For justice in our world, especially for all who are forgotten or excluded, abandoned or abused, persecuted or exploited, that good people everywhere will rise to their defense and come to their aid.
Today’s Gospel | John 8:12-20
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.” Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone. And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid, because I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me. Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified. I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.” So they said to him, “Where is your father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while teaching in the treasury in the temple area. But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
A Brief Lenten Reflection
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is dealing once again with his enemies within the Temple leadership. The Pharisees are asking questions meant to undermine Jesus’ teachings. He confronts them with their hypocrisy, which threatens to expose the key to their deceptions. For the Temple establishment, having control over people’s dreams of fulfillment was central to its power. What people want more than anything else is that they and their loved ones can reach that place of happiness where they always have wanted to be. Perhaps that is why we tend to gravitate so quickly to anyone who tells us what we long to hear, and why we can be so easily misled about what salvation really is. The Pharisees knew this. Fortunately for us, so did Jesus. Professional counselor Craig D. Lounsbrough wrote, “Too many people are willing to die for the very thing that’s killing them.” In a world where facts and falsehoods are so easily and often deliberately confused, it is up to us to know how to know the difference. To do this, we rely on Gods’ grace to open our minds and hearts to the ways of his truth and wisdom. Lent calls us to reflect on the ways in which we fall prey to the world’s illusions and how we will turn ourselves back to the reality of God’s presence.
Prayer
Eternal Father, the light of your Son is meant to help us make our way without becoming lost in darkness. Yet, there are times when we are living in darkness and do not even realize it. In this time of Lent, help us to awaken ourselves to the reality of our sinfulness and our need to follow you into the light. May we come to know and serve you better, and may we always walk in the truth of your ways. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.