April 05, 2017

Gospel: Jn 8:31-42
Jesus went on to say to the Jews who believed in him, “You will be my true disciples, if you keep my word. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are the descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves of anyone. What do you mean by saying: You will be free?”
Jesus answered them, Truly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave. But the slave doesn’t stay in the house forever; the son stays forever. So, if the Son makes you free, you will be really free.
I know that you are the descendants of Abraham; yet you want to kill me because my word finds no place in you. For my part, I speak of what I have seen in my Father’s presence, but you do what you have learned from your father.”
They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Then Jesus said, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do as Abraham did. But now you want to kill me, the one who tells you the truth—the truth that I have learned from God. That is not what Abraham did; what you are doing are the works of your father.”
The Jews said to him, “We are not illegitimate children; we have one Father, God.” Jesus replied, “If God were your Father you would love me, for I came forth from God, and I am here. And I didn’t come by my own decision, but it was he himself who sent me.

REFLECTION:
Freedom is not only about physical freedom. It is the first and obvious manifestation but it is not a guarantee. Some people have freedom of movement but they carry their enslavement every day. It is because they live a life of lie. They are not free to be who they really are.
So Jesus invites us to a fuller experience of freedom. To live His truth is to experience fullness of life. The only payment is faith in Him who brings the liberating truth. But how often it is hard for men and women of today to make an act of faith to Jesus? Like the Jews of our Gospel today, some people cling to their rights and privileges to say that their life is okay, that they don’t need others help to make them free. Jesus invites us to a fullness of life by believing in His truth. Our decision for and against determines what kind of life we will live here on earth.