March 26, 2021

Jn 10: 31-42

The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 

If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ —and the scripture cannot be annulled— can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Putting love into action

Today, Jesus defends himself against the stone-throwers and their false accusation that Jesus is trying to be God. But Jesus isn’t trying to be the Father. Jesus is being Jesus. And in his human strengths and vulnerabilities, the God of love is with him. And in his teaching, healing, and forgiving, God’s love is put into action. 

Jesus asks us to put down our stones today and to follow the law of love. The God of love is in us. God walks with us on the road of forgiveness, serves with our hands of goodness and kindness, and helps with our hearts of compassion. God’s love does.

What will you do with me today, God?

How am I letting go of being right and becoming more loving?

—Carla Orlando coordinates Spiritual Direction Services for the Ignatian Spirituality Center in Seattle.

 

Prayer

May the Christ who walks on wounded feet, walk with us on our road;

May the Christ who serves with wounded hands, teach us to stretch out our hands to serve;

May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart, help us to love one another;

May we see the face of Jesus in everyone we meet and may everyone we meet see the face of Jesus in us.

Amen.

—Celtic Prayer

Please share the Good Word with your friends!