Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of
the Fifth Week of Lent (21st March, 2018) on the Gospel
Dan 3:14-20.24-25.28;
Dan 3:52-56 (R. v. 52);
Jn 8:31-42.
Topic: Determining factor.
Imagine one promising a president’s son or daughter freedom
from slavery yet he/she still goes wherever he/she wants. This may help us
understand the scenario in today’s gospel in which Jesus said to the Jews who
had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They protested,
“We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do
you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free?’”
Jesus explained, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who
commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the
household; the son has a place there forever.” In line with this, Saint Paul wrote
to the Romans, “you were slaves of sin” (Rom
6:20).
Nobody is free in a sense, one must either be the slave of
God or of the enemy, cf. Rom 6:22; 7:4;
Matt 11:28-30. Like the Jews who were surprised to hear that they were
slaves, it is possible that some do not know where they belong.
That one is baptized (born-again) is not enough. Surely, the
sacrament of baptism makes one among other things a child of God. However, it
is important to remember that one can lose this position, cf. Rom 6:18; Gal 5:1. It is important also
to remember as we make choices that “the wages of sin is death, but the free
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). We are to live as free men and women, yet without using our
freedom as a pretext for evil; but to live as servants of God, cf. 1Pt 2:16.
Bible Reading: Matt 11:28-30; 1Pt 2:11-17.
Thought for today: Are you free or a captive?
Let us pray: Lord, we ask you to make us free
indeed – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection with
others if you consider it worthy.
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