John 8: 51-59
Jesus said to the Jews: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.' Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for an end to abortion and the use of contraception.
As I am traveling, I am typing this on my iPad (the older version).
Regarding the newer version, I was by the Apple store on the release date. It was interesting to see everyone waiting for the new gadget (all this before 1:00 pm).
For some reason, the release of new products seem to generate an almost "religious" type of reaction.
Meanwhile on the home front, how excited are we as we approach in faith to receive Our Lord? How often do we have to camp out the night before to enter the church where Christ works a miracle of changing mere bread and wine into His Body and Blood?
"Now we are sure that you are possessed."
Are we doing a bad job at proclaiming the benefits of Jesus "Alpha & Omega"? If so, is it because we have a hard time navigating through the interface? It takes time to learn a piece of technology before we can tell others why it is so effective.
Look at the reaction of the Jews in today's reading. They thought that Jesus was possessed versus seeing and understanding Who was before them.
If this is the case, do we hide behind the marketing jargon because it doesn't involve us humbling ourselves? Do we hide behind the intricacies of a product that mean nothing to the everyday observer? Are we so convicted in our faith that we are unafraid to go out and proclaim that there is no eternal life without Jesus Christ?
I wonder what would happen if we believed with the zeal of Martyrs that Jesus Christ is the Son of God ... is the Way, the Truth and the Life ... suffered, died and rose on the Third day? If we believed enough to show our friends and family, just as you would show off some new technology or new car, the why wouldn't there be a waiting line to get into Mass?
(Well, it does get that full for Christmas, Easter, and Ash Wednesday ... but just imagine that it was like that every Sunday ... )
Take care and God Bless!
|
