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Jesus’ Human and Divine Love
The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A)
(Note: This Gospel is also optional for Years B & C with Scrutinies.)
When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. John 11:32–35
Jesus’ humanity shines clearly in today’s Gospel. In the face of Lazarus’ death, Jesus is deeply moved by the grief around Him. The Gospel says He “became deeply distressed and troubled” and eventually “wept.” The Greek word for “deeply distressed,” embrimaomai, suggests a strong emotional disturbance, even indignation or anger. It could be translated as “He snorted in spirit,” indicating an involuntary, visceral response from the depth of His soul. Some commentators suggest Jesus’ anger wasn’t directed at the people weeping but at the reality of death itself, caused by sin. As God, Jesus knew death was never part of the Father’s original plan for humanity. From a divine perspective, He saw death as a consequence of sin. From this point of view, death provoked righteous indignation and deeply troubled His human heart.
As the passage continues, Jesus’ humanity is powerfully portrayed in the shortest verse in the Bible: “And Jesus wept.” Why did He weep? Saint Paul reminds us in Hebrews: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus’ tears show us that the Holy Trinity knows human pain firsthand. The Incarnate Son allowed Himself to experience sorrow, and the Father and the Holy Spirit shared in this sorrow through Him.
It’s important to note that Jesus’ sorrow was different from the weeping of Lazarus’ sisters and the others present. Jesus’ weeping uses the Greek word edakrysen, which means “to shed tears” or “weep silently.” His tears were personal, controlled, intimate, heartfelt, and full of divine compassion. In contrast, the weeping of the others is described by the Greek word klaió, meaning loud wailing, a typical expression of communal and ritualistic mourning at the time. Jesus’ grief was neither ritualistic nor excessive; it was intimate and heartfelt, born from personal sorrow and divine compassion.
We must never forget Jesus’ deep compassion, empathy, and sorrow. His human heart feels the same emotions we do—He grieves when we grieve, shares in our pain, and is moved by the hold sin has on us. After feeling these emotions at Lazarus’ death, Jesus stood outside the tomb and “cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’” (John 11:43). We can imagine the passion behind His command. In our lives, when we are trapped in sin or burdened by human weakness, we must hear Jesus calling us to freedom with the same divine authority and human passion.
Reflect today on Jesus’ humanity and how He perfectly understands everything we experience. His deep empathy for our suffering and His joy when we rise with His grace show us how intimately He knows us. God became one of us in every way, sharing in our human condition—though without sin—so that we might share in His divinity. Ponder His humanity and let His closeness draw you to Him, giving you a share in His divine life.
Most compassionate Lord, You experienced human nature in its fullness. Though You never sinned, You allowed Yourself to feel the effects of our sin and suffering, filling them with Your divine compassion. Help me to always remember Your humanity, knowing that through it, I come to share in Your divinity. Jesus, I trust in You.
Facing Our “Hour” of Glory
The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year B)
(Note: When the Scrutinies are used at Mass, the reflection for Year A may be used in place of this one.)
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” John 12:23–24
As Christians, we believe that death is not an end but a beginning. Do you look forward to dying? We each must pass through death to enter into eternal life. A healthy desire for death, one aligned with our faith, reflects a hopeful anticipation of entering a new and glorious state of existence with God, the angels, and saints.
Some fear death because they lack the certitude of faith. Without this faith, earthly passing becomes a source of anxiety rather than divine hope. Others might long for death, not out of hope, but as an escape from life’s burdens—a desire rooted in despair, not trust in God’s promise.
Dying well, in accord with God’s timing, is only possible when we live well. In fact, the two are inseparable. Living well, with our eyes set on eternal life, requires an ongoing commitment to be like that grain of wheat that “falls to the ground and dies,” so that our lives can produce “much fruit.”
Good fruit only comes through death, but there are two kinds we must experience. The first is our inevitable physical death at the end of earthly life. Before that, we are called to another kind of death—a daily dying to self, detaching from worldly attachments and selfish desires. This spiritual death is not only the pathway to good living but also prepares us for eternal glory when our final hour comes.
Good living is not found in extravagant lifestyles, extreme wealth, worldly success, or fleshly pleasures, even though many live as if those passing things define a good life. True good living is found only in the paradox of the Cross. Jesus articulated this paradox in today’s Gospel: “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life” (John 12:25). To “hate” one’s life in this world means we despise all selfish attachments to earthly pleasures and ambitions, enabling us to live divinely infused charity. Charity is always sacrificial because it is a participation in the selfless love of Christ’s Cross. Though charitable living will hurt in the sense that it requires fleshly and spiritual detachment from all we inordinately cling to, it is the only path to freedom, fulfillment, and a participation in God’s glory.
The good news is that the more sacrificial we become, the more we share in God’s glory, both in Heaven and on earth. Jesus begins today’s Gospel by saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23). His hour of glory refers to His Passion. Since His Passion was the perfect manifestation of sacrificial love, it was also the moment of His greatest earthly glory, and it will be the cause of His eternal heavenly glory. Likewise, when we die to ourselves through sacrificial love and live selflessly with every power of our souls, holding nothing back, we discover the key to immediate human and spiritual glory. Sacrificial love is the only thing that can truly fulfill us in this life and will be the source of eternal rejoicing in Heaven.
Reflect today on your own willingness to fall to the ground and die like a grain of wheat. What lies about worldly satisfaction have you held onto? What attachments prevent you from embracing the wisdom of the Cross? As you reflect on these questions, profess your faith in the power of sacrificial love—the only path to true freedom, fulfillment, and eternal glory.
My glorious Lord, Your Passion was the moment of Your greatest glory because it was the perfect manifestation of Your love. Draw me into Your sacrificial love so that I will reject all selfish living and, instead, embrace the honor of laying down my life for others, in accord with Your will. Jesus, I trust in You.
Mercy Fulfills All Justice
The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year C)
(Note: When the Scrutinies are used at Mass, the reflection for Year A may be used in place of this one and the following Gospel and reflection may be used on Monday.)
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” John 8:4–5
Justice has to be fulfilled. God is perfectly Just. That is why, in the Old Testament, capital punishment was prescribed for serious sins. Sometimes the Old Testament can be difficult to understand, particularly in relation to capital punishment. The Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, prescribes the death penalty for sins such as adultery, other sexual offenses, blasphemy, idolatry, gravely dishonoring parents, violations of the Sabbath, murder, sacrilege, perjury, and witchcraft. These laws were intended to preserve the holiness of God’s people and to emphasize the gravity of sin, which disrupts their covenantal relationship with God.
Jesus’ approach to these sins appears to be in stark contrast with the Old Testament laws, as is evident in His merciful treatment of the woman caught in adultery. This is because Jesus reveals the fuller meaning behind these laws: to lead sinners to repentance and conversion. Jesus came not to abolish the Old Law but to fulfill it (cf. Matthew 5:17).
Adultery, like other grave violations of God’s Law, demands justice. In today’s Gospel, we see how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament law against adultery, and by extension, every other grave offense against God. He does not downplay the seriousness of the sin; rather, He fulfills justice by offering mercy and forgiveness, while calling the sinner to conversion and repentance. This is the deeper purpose of the Law of Moses—not mere punishment, but the transformation of the heart toward God.
Both the Old Law and the New Law of grace and mercy place high moral demands on believers. Yet, the New Law brings to completion the intent of the Old Law. Jesus’ merciful treatment of sinners does not abolish the need for justice but fulfills it in a new and profound way.
But what about the death penalty? Doesn’t justice still need to be fulfilled, as required by God in the Torah? Indeed, and this is precisely why Jesus died—to fulfill all justice. He took upon Himself the penalty for sin, including the capital punishment that was due for grave offenses, thereby restoring justice on behalf of all humanity. Once justice is fulfilled through His sacrifice and sin is repented of, conversion becomes possible. This is the true intent of God’s every law, both old and new—to lead sinners to repentance, restoration, and ultimately, salvation.
Though the poor woman in today’s Gospel was humiliated and afraid, we must see ourselves—and every other person—in her. We are all guilty of sins deserving of death, but Jesus, in His mercy, has taken that punishment upon Himself. Jesus’ statement to the scribes and Pharisees who wanted to stone her illustrates this fact: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). We have no right to condemn another who is sorrowful and repentant because God is merciful and has paid the price for that person’s sins by His own blood. In fact, we have no right to condemn ourselves when God offers mercy, so long as we repent and convert.
Reflect today on this sinful woman and rejoice in Jesus’ mercy that fulfills all justice. Know that this is how He treats you; He calls you to treat others with the same mercy. His sacrifice has already restored justice on your behalf; all He asks of you is your trust, repentance, and willingness to forgive others. Hope is possible for us all, just like it was for this sinful woman, because Jesus paid the price of sin. Be open to that gift of mercy and offer it to others, knowing that Christ’s Passion and death have fulfilled the demand for justice for sin.
Most merciful Savior, my sin requires punishment, and You have paid that punishment, fulfilling all justice. Please forgive me and be merciful. As You do, help me to see the ways I need to repent, convert, and offer mercy to others, to the same extent that You have been merciful to me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Mercy Fulfills All Justice
Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Year A & B)
(Note: This reflection is used in Year C when the Gospel for Sunday Year A was used yesterday.)
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” John 8:4–5
Justice has to be fulfilled. God is perfectly Just. That is why, in the Old Testament, capital punishment was prescribed for serious sins. Sometimes the Old Testament can be difficult to understand, particularly in relation to capital punishment. The Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, prescribes the death penalty for sins such as adultery, other sexual offenses, blasphemy, idolatry, gravely dishonoring parents, violations of the Sabbath, murder, sacrilege, perjury, and witchcraft. These laws were intended to preserve the holiness of God’s people and to emphasize the gravity of sin, which disrupts their covenantal relationship with God.
Jesus’ approach to these sins appears to be in stark contrast with the Old Testament laws, as is evident in His merciful treatment of the woman caught in adultery. This is because Jesus reveals the fuller meaning behind these laws: to lead sinners to repentance and conversion. Jesus came not to abolish the Old Law but to fulfill it (cf. Matthew 5:17).
Adultery, like other grave violations of God’s Law, demands justice. In today’s Gospel, we see how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament law against adultery, and by extension, every other grave offense against God. He does not downplay the seriousness of the sin; rather, He fulfills justice by offering mercy and forgiveness, while calling the sinner to conversion and repentance. This is the deeper purpose of the Law of Moses—not mere punishment, but the transformation of the heart toward God.
Both the Old Law and the New Law of grace and mercy place high moral demands on believers. Yet, the New Law brings to completion the intent of the Old Law. Jesus’ merciful treatment of sinners does not abolish the need for justice but fulfills it in a new and profound way.
But what about the death penalty? Doesn’t justice still need to be fulfilled, as required by God in the Torah? Indeed, and this is precisely why Jesus died—to fulfill all justice. He took upon Himself the penalty for sin, including the capital punishment that was due for grave offenses, thereby restoring justice on behalf of all humanity. Once justice is fulfilled through His sacrifice and sin is repented of, conversion becomes possible. This is the true intent of God’s every law, both old and new—to lead sinners to repentance, restoration, and ultimately, salvation.
Though the poor woman in today’s Gospel was humiliated and afraid, we must see ourselves—and every other person—in her. We are all guilty of sins deserving of death, but Jesus, in His mercy, has taken that punishment upon Himself. Jesus’ statement to the scribes and Pharisees who wanted to stone her illustrates this fact: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). We have no right to condemn another who is sorrowful and repentant because God is merciful and has paid the price for that person’s sins by His own blood. In fact, we have no right to condemn ourselves when God offers mercy, so long as we repent and convert.
Reflect today on this sinful woman and rejoice in Jesus’ mercy that fulfills all justice. Know that this is how He treats you; He calls you to treat others with the same mercy. His sacrifice has already restored justice on your behalf; all He asks of you is your trust, repentance, and willingness to forgive others. Hope is possible for us all, just like it was for this sinful woman, because Jesus paid the price of sin. Be open to that gift of mercy and offer it to others, knowing that Christ’s Passion and death have fulfilled the demand for justice for sin.
Most merciful Savior, my sin requires punishment, and You have paid that punishment, fulfilling all justice. Please forgive me and be merciful. As You do, help me to see the ways I need to repent, convert, and offer mercy to others, to the same extent that You have been merciful to me. Jesus, I trust in You.
The Light of the World
Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Year C)
(Note: This Gospel and reflection are used for Year C when John 8:1–11 was read yesterday. If the Gospel for Sunday, Year A was used yesterday with the Scrutinies, use the previous reflection.)
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.” John 8:12–13
When God gave Moses the Old Testament Law and established His Covenant with the Israelites, the Law was meticulous. Mosaic Law contained a total of 613 laws, as was commonly articulated by the Pharisees, including moral, ceremonial, civil, and judicial laws. When disputes arose or crimes were committed, God required that two or more witnesses give testimony to substantiate a claim. This also applied to legal agreements or covenants between people. This complex system enabled the people of Israel to live morally upright lives, worship together, and have societal order. Over time, however, the Pharisees lost sight of God’s intention behind the Law.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus addressed the crowds, including the Pharisees, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Notice that as soon as Jesus said this, the Pharisees challenged Him saying, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.” The Pharisees were clinging to their interpretation of the Mosaic Law, arguing that Jesus needed two or more witnesses to confirm what He said about Himself. Their focus on the external requirement of two witnesses, while lawful, revealed their inability to see the deeper truth: that Jesus Himself, as the Son of God, bore a testimony far greater than any human testimony. Therefore, they disregarded Jesus’ profoundly beautiful testimony.
How does our Lord respond? He states: “Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified, because I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14). Jesus’ testimony was true because He and His Father were the source of Truth. However, He plays their game and states: “Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified. I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me” (John 8:17–18). Though the Pharisees want to know where His Father is so they can take His testimony, Jesus responds, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (John 8:19).
Understanding the Mosaic Law, Jewish culture, and Pharisaical abuses helps us see how our Lord cuts through the criticism and abusive application of the Law by the Pharisees. He inaugurates the beginnings of the New Law of grace by proclaiming that He and the Father together testify that Jesus is the Light of the World, and that those who follow Him will escape the darkness. What greater witnesses could there be than the Father and the Son?!
Sometimes we get caught up in legalism. We can think that if I just do everything right, I will win God’s favor. But following Jesus is not a matter of following every letter of the Law to perfection, as the Pharisees believed. Legalism can give us the illusion of control—believing that by following the rules perfectly, we can “earn” God’s favor. But the call to follow Jesus invites us into something deeper: a relationship built on trust, love, and surrender, where grace leads us to fulfill the Law in a way we could never achieve on our own. Following Jesus is about coming to a Person—the Light of the World. Coming to Him and believing the Testimony that He and the Father proclaim is the fulfillment of the New and Old Law. When we come to Him and allow the Testimony of His Truth to penetrate the very depths of our beings through prayer and faith, God will fulfill all righteousness within us, including every external provision of His Law.
Reflect today on Jesus’ testimony. Both He and the Father proclaim this truth to you. Their testimony must be verified in each of our lives by listening to their Voices, believing in what They say, and assenting to Their Word. Unlike the Pharisees, if we know Jesus’ voice, then we will also know the Father’s voice. Open yourself more fully to God’s light, and allow it to dispel any lingering darkness in your life. Listen closely, prayerfully, and with openness, and the Light of our Lord will shine brightly within you.
Light of the World, You came into this world to dispel the darkness of sin, to forgive, and radiate Your pure light of grace in our souls. I accept Your testimony, dear Lord, and that of Your Father, and believe in You with all the power of my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.
Rejection of the Truth
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
“You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” John 8:23–24
Tensions were growing as Jesus gradually unveiled the deeper realities of Who He is, while the Pharisees remained blind to the truth, obstinate in their opposition. When Jesus said, “you will die in your sins,” He was not speaking of a sin committed out of weakness or confusion. He was speaking about the Pharisees’ fundamental and grave sin of refusing to accept Him as “I AM,” the Messiah and Son of God.
Chapter 8 in John’s Gospel reveals this growing tension. In today’s Gospel, Jesus becomes exceptionally clear about His messianic identity, taking upon Himself the awesome name of Yahweh: I AM. Chapter 8 concludes with Jesus stating, “You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father’s desires” (John 8:44). This so angered the Jews that they tried to stone Him.
Why did Jesus agitate the Pharisees and others who refused to believe in Him? It certainly wasn’t to be argumentative. The agitation came from the truth He proclaimed about Himself and the Pharisees’ need to believe in Him. He was unveiling His identity and inviting people to believe in Him so they could receive the gift of eternal life. The truth, however, that He was the Messiah, the Son of God, and the great I AM, was more than the self-righteous Pharisees could handle. Jesus’ divine identity did not fit into their expectations of Who the Messiah would be. Furthermore, when Jesus revealed the truth of Who He was with such clarity, the Pharisees realized that much of what they believed about the Messiah was wrong; that was hard for them to accept because they didn’t want to change.
We have much to learn from the Pharisees. There are many things God asks of us that are difficult to accept. First, within the larger context of our secular society, God’s pure and holy truth is often met with resistance, ignored, or even dismissed outright. When disciples of Christ live their faith openly and proclaim the full message of the Gospel in the public square, they are frequently attacked as judgmental, outdated, or disconnected from modernity. Opposition to the Gospel manifests itself in numerous ways—especially in academic institutions that push relativism, secular news outlets that downplay or marginalize Christian values, political parties that advance agendas contrary to the moral law, bureaucratic workplaces driven by profit and power rather than ethics, and even within our own families, where faith can become a point of contention and division.
The broader societal context is not the only place God’s truth is met with resistance. In each of our souls, God’s holy truth demands total surrender to His will and obedience to His commands. God—the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving Creator of all things—alone knows what is best for us. Holiness requires ongoing conversion, change, and humble repentance. Rejection of God’s truth leaves us angry and defensive, just like the Pharisees. Openness to God’s truth demands change. As the old saying goes, “Change is the only thing that remains the same.” Change is difficult, especially when God’s pure light and truth reveal that we have walked down the wrong path, believed lies, failed to love, and misunderstood the Gospel and the demands that the great I AM expects of us.
Reflect today on the Pharisees and their fierce opposition to Jesus. As you do, humbly consider any ways that you are obstinate and unwilling to change. The only people in this world who do not need to change are those who have already arrived at the perfection of Divine Union, freed of every earthly sin and attachment to sin. The rest of us still have a long road of conversion, purification, and humbling repentance. Do not take the path of the Pharisees. Eagerly run to the difficult and demanding truth God speaks to you so that you will come to know God’s power and true identity in your life, accepting Him as your Lord and Messiah.
My demanding Lord, You call me to perfection because You love me. Because of my sin, I often resist the many ways that You speak to me, trying to draw me into the full truth. Please open my heart and remove all obstinacy so that I will willingly change so as to ascend the glorious staircase toward Divine Union. Jesus, I trust in You.
Humility and Courage to Change
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” John 8:31–33
In this chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus’ teaching about His divine identity becomes clearer as the conversation progresses. As a result, many among the Jews become increasingly hostile toward Him. Today’s Gospel, however, begins with a sign of hope: “Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him…” Could it be that some of them were actually coming to believe in Him? The next line suggests that Jesus noticed the beginning of faith and sought to nurture it: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What a beautiful teaching and transforming truth to comprehend and believe. Sadly, Jesus’ words did not take root in their hearts.
At first, the Jews object to Jesus’ suggestion that they need to be set free. They are offended that He implies they are enslaved. However, Jesus was not referring to political or physical enslavement but to their bondage to sin, which they failed to recognize. Midway through the conversation, Jesus exposes the truth: “But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you” (John 8:37).
This contrast between their initial flicker of faith and their growing hostility teaches us an important lesson: The more clearly we understand God’s Word, the more it will demand from us. The faith these Jews initially expressed was shallow. They might have sensed something unique and inspiring about Jesus, sparking their interest and a flicker of faith. Yet, when Jesus’ message confronted their pride—“We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone”—their hearts hardened, and the conversation went from bad to worse.
A key lesson from this exchange is that the more clearly we understand God’s Word, the more it demands from us. If we are unwilling to change, we can resist His Word, for God does not force Himself upon us. But if we remain open—reading, listening, and studying—His truth will become clearer, and with it, His call for us to change.
Of course, only a fool would ignore God’s Word. As we listen to what our Lord wants to teach us, we should be prepared to be challenged. These challenges come in various ways. On one hand, sins such as pride might surface as we realize how deeply we are enslaved to sin when God offers us freedom. Accepting His invitation to freedom requires that we confess our bondage and acknowledge that only God can set us free. On the other hand, God’s invitation to deeper prayer, charity, and penance will call us out of our comfort zones. As we increase these practices, we will also need the courage to embrace change.
Ideally, when we hear our Lord say, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” we will respond with humility and courage. Humility allows us to admit that we do not fully understand the truth, while courage strengthens us to remain in His Word and live as His disciples.
Reflect today on this conversation between Jesus and the Jews by putting yourself in their shoes. First, are you attentive to God’s Word? Do you recognize how far you still are from the fullness of divine truth? If you do, resolve to remain humble and open to God’s Word, knowing that true discipleship always comes with challenges. Second, pray for courage. Doing so is not only an admission that you need that virtue, but also a way of opening yourself to its increase. Reject the hostility and resistance that these Jews showed toward Jesus’ beautiful invitation, and listen to Him as His Apostles and dear mother did. Allow the flickering flame of faith to grow into a consuming fire, purifying those sins to which you are enslaved, so that you can walk in the freedom God wants to give you.
Jesus, Word of God, You came to reveal Yourself as the fullness of Truth and to show us the way to the Father, where we will find freedom and peace. Please give me the humility and courage I need to heed Your every word and respond to every challenge I face so that I may become Your most obedient and faithful disciple. Jesus, I trust in You.
Believing Beyond Natural Powers
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
“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. John 8:56–59
What was it that infuriated the Jews so much that they “picked up stones to throw at” Jesus? As we have reflected upon the past few days, in Chapter 8 of John’s Gospel, Jesus gradually becomes clearer and clearer about His divine identity. The final lines of that chapter, quoted above, contain Jesus’ clearest self-revelation, which was beyond what some of the Jews were willing to accept.
Jesus said that before Abraham “came to be, I AM.” That line is rich in theological meaning that might be missed in the English translation. The words “came to be,” which refer to Abraham, use the same Greek verb used in the Prologue to John’s Gospel: “All things came to be (ἐγένετο) through him, and without him nothing came to be” (John 1:3). Jesus was essentially pointing out that Abraham was created and came into existence at a particular point in history.
However, Jesus then associates Himself with the divine identity by using the Greek verb “I AM” (εἰμί), which expresses being in an absolute, eternal sense, independent of time or creation. I AM (εἰμί) is reserved for God’s self-identification as the Logos (Word) made flesh: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
This distinction between Abraham’s contingent existence (ἐγένετο) and Jesus’ eternal being (εἰμί) reveals the heart of the mystery of Christ’s identity. Jesus is not merely a historical figure; He is the eternal Word who entered into time. This profound claim of divinity explains why the Jews responded with outrage, picking up stones to throw at Him. They understood that Jesus was not simply claiming preexistence before Abraham—He was claiming to be God Himself, which they considered blasphemy. Their reaction reflects their refusal to accept that mystery.
Truth be told, what Jesus taught was a lot to take in. Imagine a powerful preacher arriving on the scene today—performing miracles, preaching with clarity and authority, and then revealing that He is the eternal Word who has come from Heaven to Earth to usher in the Final Judgment. The Book of Revelation and the Catechism clearly indicate that this will happen in a glorious way, but imagine, for the sake of reflection, if Jesus were to return first in the same humble manner in which He came the first time. Would you find it difficult to believe Him?
On a purely natural level, using our human reason alone, it would be difficult to believe. And that is why many of the Jews were so outraged. Believing something so extraordinary—that the man standing before you is the eternal Word of God, without beginning or end—is beyond what our natural minds alone can discern and believe. Though the exercise of incredible miracles might help, our natural minds need more. We need the gift of directly infused faith so that we might understand and believe. The sin of those who wanted to stone Jesus was that they obstinately refused the gift of faith, clinging instead to their own understanding and expectations of God. Their pride and reliance on human reason alone blocked them from receiving the truth.
Reflect today on how open you are to every divinely revealed supernatural truth. Faith is not just believing without knowing. Faith means we know and believe. We know because God communicates His truth to us, directly into our minds. It’s as if we had a sixth sense—a spiritual sense—by which we hear, see, understand, and then are given the opportunity to believe. Listen to every extraordinary truth God is speaking to you. Let it sink in, ponder it, believe, and profess it. That is the only way that we, along with Abraham, will be able to rejoice in Jesus’ divine identity.
My divine Lord, You were in the beginning before the world was created, existing from all eternity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. At a particular moment in time, You took on flesh and became man. You will come again in glory at the end of the ages to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and every other truth You have revealed to me. I open myself to all that You still wish to say, so that I may come to know and believe most fully. Jesus, I trust in You.
The Complexity of Life
Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” John 10:31–33
The reason these Jews were so angry that they “picked up rocks to stone Jesus” was because He had just declared, “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30), a statement they understood as blasphemy. Through His words and works, Jesus identified Himself as the Messiah and Son of God. However, the religious leaders refused to believe.
This controversy took place during the Feast of the Dedication—Hanukkah, a celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Temple in 164 B.C. The Temple had been defiled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 B.C., who tried to eradicate Jewish worship by introducing Greek customs and pagan sacrifices. He desecrated the altar by offering unclean animals and setting up a statue of Zeus within the Temple.
In response, Judas Maccabeus led a Jewish rebellion that reclaimed the Temple, purified the altar, and rededicated it to the worship of the one true God. According to tradition, only one day’s worth of pure oil was available to light the menorah, but it miraculously burned for eight days—the foundation of Hanukkah. Although this feast was not originally prescribed in the Law of Moses, it became an important celebration of God’s faithfulness and the triumph of light over darkness.
Why is this important to understand? Just as Jesus was not only the Son of God, one with the Father, but also the Messiah and Savior, He came to establish Himself as the New Temple, Altar, High Priest, and Lamb of Sacrifice. Just as Hanukkah celebrated the light of the menorah, Jesus symbolically revealed Himself as the Light of the World, who draws His sheep out of the darkness of sin and ignorance.
Although the religious authorities tried to arrest Jesus in the Temple, He escaped their grasp and retreated across the Jordan River to the place where John the Baptist had baptized. He remained there for some time, nurturing His followers’ faith in preparation for the events of Passover. Many who came to Him during this period testified, “‘John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.’ And many there began to believe in Him” (John 10:42).
During these final months, Jesus stayed with His disciples in the wilderness, preparing them for what was to come. It was in this period, just before Passover, that He raised Lazarus from the dead—an event that further agitated the religious leaders, who began plotting more seriously to kill Him.
Just as Jesus’ mission was filled with challenges, hope, and tension, so too are our lives. His journey sheds light on our own spiritual path. The three to four months between Hanukkah and Passover were a time of spiritual preparation as Jesus prepared His followers for what was to come.
Reflect today upon being with Jesus during this time. As you do, consider our Lord’s serenity as He encountered hostility in the Temple and retreated to the wilderness. Reflect on His patience and the care He showed in preparing His disciples for His final Hour of glory. Ponder the emotions and teachings that filled this period—hope, tension, and expectation—and resolve to follow our Lord faithfully as He prepares to enter Jerusalem for His Passion. Unite your own hope, tension, expectations, and uncertainties with our Lord, praying for the grace you need to fulfill your life’s mission in union with Him.
My determined Lord, You were fully committed to fulfill Your divine mission. As the Messiah, You were the New Temple, High Priest, Altar, and Lamb of Sacrifice. You are also the Good Shepherd, leading all of Your sheep to imitate You and to lay their lives down for others. Please give me Your wisdom and courage so that I am prepared to follow You into Holy Week and lay my life down in union with You. Jesus, I trust in You.
Good Out of Evil
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” John 11:45–48
Tomorrow we begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Today’s Gospel recounts events shortly after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, which took place in Bethany, near Jerusalem—just days before He would ride into the city on a donkey, greeted with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13).
During the final months of His life, Jesus often stayed out of the public eye to avoid those plotting His death. However, He briefly emerged to perform His final recorded miracle: raising Lazarus from the dead. This miracle became the decisive moment that prompted the Pharisees to actively plot against Him. Some witnesses reported it to the authorities, and the Sanhedrin feared Jesus’ growing popularity would provoke a Roman persecution upon the Jews.
At the high priest Caiaphas’ suggestion, they decided it was better for Jesus to die than for the nation to suffer. As high priest, Caiaphas spoke prophetically—even unknowingly—about Jesus’ death, saying, “It is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (John 11:49–50). Commenting on this, St. Augustine teaches: “This passage shows that the Spirit of prophecy can even work through wicked people to reveal future events” (Tractate 49 on the Gospel of John).
Knowing that God’s omnipotent power can use even evil actions to accomplish His divine plan should console us when we encounter injustice or malice in our own lives. Jesus was never a victim of circumstance; He remained in full control of His mission. At His arrest, He reminded His disciples: “Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father, and He will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).
Jesus could have commanded the angels to overthrow the Sanhedrin and the Roman authorities, taking His place as an earthly king by force. But instead, He chose to submit to the Father’s will, allowing the malice of Caiaphas to set His Passion in motion. Though Caiaphas acted with selfish intent, God, in His providence, used this evil act to advance His plan of salvation for all who would turn to Him in faith.
This insight is essential as we enter the “Holy Weeks” of our lives—those times of trial, suffering, or injustice that we do not always fully understand. When we encounter crosses, it is easy to see them as obstacles to joy and peace. But Romans 8:28 reminds us: “All things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Every cross, injustice, or hardship is within God’s providential care, just as Holy Week was. When we trust Him, even the evil we experience can be transformed into a path toward God’s glory and for our good.
Reflect today on the perfect wisdom of God’s plan, which used even the sins of wicked people to bring about salvation. Consider any crosses, sufferings, or injustices you currently face. Instead of giving in to anger or despair, have faith that God can use them for good. If you remain in God’s grace, trust that whatever He permits in your life is an expression of His almighty power and love, working all things for His glory and your good. Just as Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing that great suffering awaited Him, so too must we turn our eyes to our own “Jerusalem”—to the challenges and difficulties we encounter—and trust that God will work all things for good.
All-powerful Lord, nothing deterred You from fulfilling Your Father’s will. Your mission was to save many souls and to do so through the instrumentality of both the good and the wicked. Evil was conquered because You, in Your goodness, drew even greater good from it. Please help me to imitate You and to participate in Your glorious victory over sin and death by uniting every injustice and suffering I endure with Your Passion so as to achieve Your glory and victory in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.
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