Remember My Father’s word finds no home in you. (Jn 5:41-42)
Jesus said to them:
John was a lamp alight and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.
But my testimony is greater than John’s: the works my Father has given me to carry out, these same works of mine testify that the Father has sent me.
You have never heard his voice, you have never seen his shape, and his word finds no home in you because you do not believe in the one he has sent.
Reflect
To say ‘In the name of God, Father of us all’ is to say ‘in the name of justice, equality, compassion and love’.
The Word of God, the Word made flesh, always challenges our comfort.
The events of Holy Week will challenge our beliefs in the goodness of humanity and God care for His people.
Our question to the Jesus of Holy Week is ‘how can men and women be like this to each other? How can God be so powerless in the face of such uncaring attitudes?
We ask these questions in the face of every serious incident of war,
every time people are oppressed and abused by families or friends
every time of crisis or tragedy,
not to mention natural disasters or in the time of a pandemic.
The life of Jesus brought him into many critical situations,
but it was how he entered into undeserved suffering and death
trusting His Father to give it meaning,
Is that not enough for us to keep going and us hope for the future?
Story The master’s work and our cooperation
Kenneth Payne in his book, ‘What shall I say’ www.columba.ie wrote
Puccini contracted cancer and died before completing his his final opera, ‘Turandot’. His friends had tried to persuade Puccini to take it easy during his final weeks, but He told them that it was up to them to complete it if he died before he died. It was not finished and his friends decided to complete the opera. It was first performed at La Scala Opera House in Milan with Arturo Toscanini conducting.
When the conductor Toscanini arrived at the part where Puccini had left it, he stopped, turned around with tears in his eyes and addressed the audience, ‘This is where the master ends,‘ and he wept, but then after a few minutes looked up, smiled and added, ‘And this is where his friends began,’ and he continued conducting the opera to the end. … It was wonderful.
Prayer
In you, Jesus,
our hope is sure and eternal.
In your death is the promise of life,
in your resurrection is our hope
Keep us safe in times of trouble,
keep us caring for others in times of their trouble;
Help me to grow in love.
and continue your work among us
In Jesus’name,
Amen. Bless me, Lord and I will be your light among others.
