THURSDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT
Gn 17: 3-9 Ps 105: 4-9 Jn 8: 51-59
IN JESUS YOU HAVE LIFE
The human experience is fundamentally intertwined with the fear of death. Biologically, our bodies are programmed for self-preservation, making mortality a deeply ingrained and often unsettling reality. This fear manifests not only physically but also impacts our mental and emotional well being. However, Jesus offers a radical solution to this universal human predicament. In the exchange with Jewish leaders that we witness in the Gospel passage of today, He declares, “Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never experience death.” This statement offers a path to true and eternal life.
To “keep Jesus’ word” is not merely intellectual assent but a radical transformation of the self. It demands a life lived in profound love for God and neighbour, characterised by unwavering obedience to His teachings and a dedicated pursuit of His will. This path, marked by genuine discipleship, is an active engagement with the living Christ, allowing Him to shape and transform our very being. This truth is further exemplified by Jesus’ astonishing declaration, “Before Abraham was, I am.” This bold declaration, echoing God’s self-revelation to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” (cf. Ex 3:14), transcends mere historical existence. By asserting His pre-existence before Abraham, Jesus implicitly identifies Himself with the eternal God, and hence, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Today, we are urged to move beyond superficial faith and embrace a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, which requires a conscious effort to humble ourselves before the Lord, acknowledging our dependence upon Him and cultivating a life of fervent love and dedicated service. A life lived in love and obedience to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, this is the true path to eternal life, a life that transcends the limitations of mortality and finds its fulfilment in the eternal embrace of God.
Response: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
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