Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of
the Fourth Week of Lent (28th March, 2020) on the Gospel
Jer 11:18-20;
Ps 7:2-3.9-12 (R. v. 2);
Jn 7:40-52.
Topic: Towards God.
While embarking on any journey one must be prepared for
challenges. Our journey towards God is not different. Two challenges stand out
in today’s gospel, authority and knowledge.
Among the people who listened to Jesus some said, “This is
really the prophet” and for others, “the Messiah.” Yet others questioned,
“Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture
said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the
village where David lived?” They never knew that Jesus is both a Bethlehemite
and a descendant of David, cf. Matt 1:1-16,
20; 2:1; Lk 2:1-7.
On the other hand, the chief priests and the Pharisees
queried the temple police who returned without Jesus, “Surely you have not been
deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or the Pharisees
believed in him?” They suddenly turned these groups of men into other Simon
Peters, cf. Matt 16:19.
Authorities and/or knowledge can either facilitate or impede
journey towards God. Hence, the book of Proverbs reads, “When the righteous are
in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Prov 29:2; cf. Prov 28:12). And through the prophet Hosea God laments, “My people
are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos
4:6).
We must be very careful in identifying and handling obstacles
on our way towards God. Again, let us not constitute obstacle/s for others. And
we must ask God for true knowledge that will enable us know Him better.
Bible Reading: Prov 2:1-22.
Thought for today: Truth remains even when no one recognises it.
Let us pray: Let not those who hope in you be put
to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought
to dishonour through me, O my God – Amen (cf. Ps 69:6).
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