Thursday, April 6, 2017

Apr 6 - 5th Week of Lent - Thursday

+ In the gospel passage today Jesus is trying to make the point that those who keep the covenant and commandments that his Father made with Abraham (and his descendants) are also obeying him because he was also present at the time those covenants and commands were given – and that their reward will be everlasting life. The Jews however are not convinced of his legitimacy and they mock him saying: You are not yet fifty years old, how could you have seen Abraham and been with him when God spoke with him?

Jesus, in an exasperating way, raises his voice and cries out: Listen to me! before Abraham came to be, I AM. My Father is I AM, and I am I AM. and I am eternal! I am with God always! I am present in all my Father’s dealings with the human race. So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area: to await his hour when more than stones will be thrown at him.

In the first reading we see the historic covenant made between God and Abram: it was the cause of the changing of his name to Abraham, and it was the cause of many graces and blessings on him and his physical and spiritual descendants; but the other end of the deal must never be overlooked: he would be their God, but they must obey the commands of the covenant – all of them: and thus they would be eligible for countless blessings.

And the Law and the Prophets are based on 2 hinges: loving God, loving neighbor as we love ourselves.

May we the children of Abraham, the children of God be quick to obey with our spiritual fathers: imitate their example, and win the prize that they won for us by their obedience: life on high forever, with God, his Son and the communion of saints!

And on a more practical level, may our expression of love of God and neighbor as ourselves be seen in living a mature, insightfully informed, uncompromising in principle, while appropriately lenient in speed of implementation (where prudent), other-centered way of life:

knowing that, even when necessary disciplinary measures must be invoked, i.e. when those adult in years, display thought and deeds of one who has not yet reached or grasped an ease of use of reason i.e. even a presiding potentate of a world power, the adults in the room i.e. we, must take matters in hand and demand a stop to childish behavior for the immediate safety and welfare of the governing power and his constituents throughout the land!    

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts- and for God’s sake, for the sake of others and your own sake, stand up and do something both Christian and patriotic! be a peace-broker! as was Abraham and his descendants of whom we are a part!


No comments:

Happy New Year 202

  A Happy New Year to you all! I hope and pray I am able to keep this blog up to date now that we are entering into the New Year! I would li...