Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 3, 2020
The Jews took up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.”
Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled—can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?
“If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.
A few weeks ago my family was in Houston visiting and while I was driving I had to do an abrupt u-turn. My two year old son asked, “What was that?” I responded, “A u-turn.” Confused, my son said, “A me turn?” After going back and forward a few times, I think he understood even though he had a limited perspective.
In today’s gospel, the people listening to Jesus had their world and understanding of the Messiah completely flipped upside down. They were expecting a king that would be powerful as the world defines power. They anticipated a king who would rule over physical land and control people within the kingdom. It was really challenging for them to understand that a son of a carpenter could be their long-awaited Messiah.
As a result, some dismissed Jesus, but the last line of the gospel reads, “And many believed in him there.” Those that chose to believe did not necessarily receive answers to all of their questions, but they found the faith to believe which opened their eyes to a new perspective.
During this time in Lent, let us open our minds and hearts to Jesus in order to allow for our Father’s inspired words to give us a new perspective and wisdom. This new perspective might require us to do a u-turn in some aspects of our lives. Or, as my son would call it, a “me-turn.”
Prayer
Almighty and ever-living God, the words of Jesus your Son scandalized some of those who first heard them, and he was accused of blasphemy. Centuries later, we still seek to live within the outlandishness of Christ’s promises—promises so deep and abiding that they conquer all sin and death. Make us fearless in proclaiming the truths that set us free. You live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day
In 303, Emperor Diocletian outlawed the possession of sacred Scripture. Three Christian sisters living in Thessalonica at the time—Agape, Chionia, and Irene—concealed the several volumes of Scripture that they owned.
Later, the three were arrested for refusing to eat food sacrificed to Roman gods. When they were taken, their house was searched and the Scriptures discovered. Agape and Chionia were martyred first, and when Irene was commanded to deny her faith, she, too, was condemned to die. She was exposed in a house of prostitution first, but when she remained untouched, she was killed. It is thought that she was killed with arrows, which she shows in this illustration.
The relics of St. Irene rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame's campus.
St. Irene, who, with your sisters, gave your life for love of Scripture—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Irene is an illustration by Notre Dame alumnus Matthew Alderman '06, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of his art. Used here with permission.
