Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

Gospel: John 12:44-50
Yet Jesus had said, and even cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me, sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I am not the one to condemn him; for I have come, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me, and does not receive my words, already has a judge: the very words I have spoken will condemn him on the last day.For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father, who sent me, has instructed me what to say and how to speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life, and that is why the message I give, I give as the Father instructed me.”

Reflections
“Whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. ”Jesus Christ is the revelation of the Father. Jesus tells his disciples that if they receive him, they receive the Father. If they believe in his words, it is the Father’s words that they believe. Jesus always ties himself to the Father. His authority comes from the Father.Jesus further says he comes as light. He who believes in him does not remain in darkness. He comes to dispel the darkness enveloping the world as to who God is to them and what salvation is all about. Jesus reveals God to them who believe. Jesus is the one who can give light to the searching soul.Those who refuse to believe face judgment. It is a consequence of not believing in Jesus and God. The act of not believing is an out- right rejection of the mercy and compassion of God as presented by Jesus. It is their fault, not God, if they will not be among the lucky ones who go to heaven. For first of all, they have rejected themselves as God’s children. They have not shown their interest in Jesus. They have not taken advantage of his presence and efforts. They do not give time for him.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: John 15:9-17
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love! You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you! There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for one’s friends; and you are my friends, if you do what I command you.I shall not call you servants anymore, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.This is my command, that you love one another.

Reflections
“Love one another ‘as I have loved you!’”We may wonder why Jesus says, “No greater love than this, to give one’s life to one’s friends.” Why not one’s enemies? The context tells us clearly that Jesus considers his disciples friends, not slaves or servants. He is going to die for them as treasured friends. He asks them to do the same among themselves. That is the way they show their love for one another. That is what friendship is all about. It is sacrificing oneself for the sake of others, that one’s friends may survive. This is heroism par excellence.The expressions used like “love one another… remain in my love” seem to be romantic. Actually they are tall orders. Relationship with Jesus and with fellow disciples en- joins us to prioritize the interest or needs of others.It is a violation of this commandment when a disciple of Christ sacrifices his fellow disciples in order to survive. When the going gets rough, he puts the blame on others, rather than on himself, to escape criticisms or responsibility.On the cross, Jesus takes responsibility on our sins. Instead of us suffering the consequences, he voluntarily takes all the punishments for our faults and misbehavior.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: John 10:1-10
Truly, I say to you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. But the shepherd of the sheep enters by the gate. The keeper opens the gate to him and the sheep hear his voice; he calls each of his sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but rather they will run away from him, because they don’t recognize a stranger’s voice.”Jesus used this comparison, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.So Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheep. All who came were thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not hear them.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved; he will go in and out freely and find food.The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, life in all its fullness.

Reflections

“I am the gate of the sheep.”Jesus introduces himself as the gate as he develops the theme of the good shepherd.He wants to help his disciples identify whom they should follow and who are the good or bad guys.Jesus is the gate. As such he expects his sheep and the shepherd to enter the sheepfold through him. They pass through him to find rest when coming home and pasture when going out. They are nourished properly in the open and they come home satisfied and are secured by Jesus himself.Jesus considers those who do not pass through him as thieves or robbers. They pose as sheep or shepherds to victimize the hap- less innocent followers of Jesus. They terrorize them and do murderous acts.Christians must be intelligent enough whom to listen to in terms of deepening their faith. They should follow their ordained ministers who listen to the voice of Christ himself and have no intention of enriching themselves through their ministries.The image of the gate is some- how static and fixed, but it symbolizes the stability of Jesus’ protection of his flocks.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: John 10:27-30
My sheep hear my voice and I know them; they follow me and I give them eternal life. They shall never perish, and no one will ever steal them from me. What my Father has given me, is greater than all things else. To snatch it out of the Father’s hand, no one is able! I and the Father are One.”

Lectio Divina

READ: Jesus appropriates us as his sheep. He knows every- one of us. He gives us eternal life. And there will be no end in our friendship with him. No one will be able to lead us astray, since Jesus owns us.

REFLECT: You are lucky to be considered God’s sheep. You belong to his fold. Jesus has a strong bond of friendship with you. He likes you. How come that many times you still go astray? Sin is an indication that you are not completely God’s own. It is a refusal to belong to him. You are giving a part of you to something else, something that is evil.

PRAY: Lord, help me to be always in your fold. Always guide me that I may never stray away from your paths of righteousness. I am happy to be considered your child. Thank you for sending Jesus to me to show me your ways. Help me realize the value of friendship with you, by listening to the voice of your son.

ACT: Read the holy scriptures always. Be guided accordingly. Avoid occasions of sins. Do not play fire with evil. It will outsmart you. Don’t abuse your freedom.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019