The Word of God
Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, “He is our God”, though you do not know him. But I know him; if I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
John 8:51-59
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Abraham’s life was the start of salvation history. In advanced old age he answered God’s call to undertake an immense journey towards the Promised Land. He believed in the promises God made to him. Four thousand years on, we are being called as a Pilgrim People, and the promises are still being made to each one of us.
- The evangelist portrays Jesus as belonging to a higher world than his hearers. Death is the human condition, but Jesus lives beyond the borders of death. He is simply different. In my prayer I need not try to puzzle these things out. Instead I simply accept in faith the wonderful mystery of Jesus.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus speaks of life but finds himself drawn into an argument about death. Encountering the Word of God asks me to listen deeply, to go beyond the text, to appreciate the deep meaning. With the Holy Spirit, I revisit anywhere in my life there appears to be conflict and listen again for what life is being sought.
- Jesus resisted glorifying himself, building himself up. He calmly trusted that his Father would set him to rights. What is it like not to have the last word? Not to win the argument? Not to settle things in my chosen way?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- We are impressed by the vehemence of these conversations between Jesus and the Jews. They sound like shouting matches, with the most serious accusations flying around. Yet here Jesus is uncharacteristically strong because he is speaking about who he is and about his relationship with the Father. He makes very big claims on his identity, and insists he would be lying if he were to say he does not know the Father. How important is all this for me? Do I consider it vital that Jesus is the Son of God, ie what difference would it make if I discover he is not?
- Jesus insists that Abraham himself rejoiced to see his day, for he was the fulfilment of all the promises made in the Old Testament. Elsewhere he is called the desire of the nations. Sometimes this is presented in too simplistic a manner, so I reflect on these words and ask to understand in what way Jesus and his message are the answer to my deepest needs. I am thankful for all this.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- John’s gospel in general goes to great length to help us believe that Jesus not only came from God, but is God. The end of chapter 8 which we have today points out the great difficulties that the authorities had in believing that. The ordinary people turned to his miracles and accepted them as from the hand of God.
- The gospel today highlights the difference between the way of Jesus and the way of the authorities. The divine way of looking at things is the deep meaning that Jesus brings to life. His statement “before Abraham ever was, I Am” pinpoints this difference. Ask Jesus to help you believe in his incarnation as he gives the gift of Himself to us.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Whoever keeps God’s word won’t see death – that is will never be destroyed. His hearer’s could not take these words, but did not say that they would like more to be explained to them. They were puzzled and pointed out that even Abraham had died. They hadn’t the openness to learn. They even turned on Jesus, saying “Who do you claim to be?”
- The word ‘glory’ should always make us alert. It means the revelation in some way of the majesty or the splendour of God. The Father gives glory to Jesus, since it is his divinity that the Son manifests. In doing so the Son glorifies the Father.
- The Jews could not grasp at all the unique life of Jesus. His relationship with God the Father was beyond them. We have to try to understand the mystery of God.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Abraham's life marks the beginning of salvation history. His immense journey through the wilderness was made in response to God’s call. The biblical desert was a place of passage and purification. In our own passage to the Promised Land, we must learn that God is with us at every stage of the journey, as he was with Abraham.
- The wilderness inside us is a place of testing, where the power of false gods is broken. It is a place of encounter with ourselves, with our inner demons and with God. To enter it, we have to be silent and alone, leaving behind our elaborately constructed avoidance techniques, safety nets and empty spiritual practices.
- Only through making ourselves vulnerable to our own pain and fear can we make ourselves open to the experience of loving and of being loved.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- "Who do you claim to be?" The discussion about the identity of Jesus continues. This relentless questioning shows how important the issue is – then and now. But instead of leading to a meeting of minds, Jesus' arguments provoke his enemies even further. "They picked up stones to throw at him". His life is now in danger. Can you understand this hostility to Jesus?
- Note yet another "I am" statement: "Before Abraham was, I am". Jesus claims both pre-existence and to be one with God.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The Jews had no doubt that Jesus was claiming a divine nature. As son of Mary he was born in Bethlehem in time; but as God he is outside time, the same yesterday, today and forever.
- Lord I am praying here on the edge of what I can grasp, reaching for the eternal Now. What matters to me is that you are as much my contemporary as you were of Pilate and the stone-throwing Jews.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The Jesus of the Gospel knows who he is. He knows he meets opposition from the leaders of religion and state; he sees through the hypocrisy of religion and knows he is from God. People can make God in their likeness. Let prayer keep me humble of heart and mind.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Abraham’s life was the start of salvation history. In advanced old age he answered God’s call to undertake an immense journey towards the Promised Land. He believed in the promises God made to him. Four thousand years on, we are being called as a Pilgrim People, and the promises are still being made to each one of us.
- “Whoever keeps my word will not taste death”. Lord, do I truly believe this? Then, like the woman in the gospel, let me hear each word of yours and keep it. I am to be ‘a keeper of the word’.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Again the evangelist portrays Jesus as belonging to a higher world than his hearers. Death is the human condition, but Jesus lives beyond the borders of death. He is simply different. In my prayer I need not try to puzzle these things out. Instead I simply accept in faith the wonderful mystery of Jesus.
- Jesus is saying: ‘If you want to see God, here I am!’ What should be a wonderful moment of revelation becomes horribly negative. Execution by stoning was the punishment for asserting that one is equal to God. Lord, I find you in some safe place and try to comfort you. What more can you do to show people who you are?