Daily Readings - Wed Apr 10 2019
John
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."33They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"34Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.37I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word.38I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father. "39"Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would40do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.41You are doing the things your own father does.We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."42Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.
Sermon
In today’s Gospel, Jesus engages in a profound dialogue with the Jews who believed in him, offering a message of liberation through faith. He begins by promising that abiding in his word will lead to true discipleship and freedom through truth. The Jews, however, challenge this, claiming descent from Abraham and asserting they have never been enslaved. Jesus responds by highlighting that sin enslaves, but through him, true freedom is possible. The conversation escalates as they argue about their lineage, with Jesus urging them to act like Abraham and love him as a child of God.
This exchange is set against a backdrop of tension between Jesus and the Pharisees, who often questioned his authority. Jesus emphasizes that freedom is not merely physical but spiritual, achievable by embracing his teachings. This freedom allows believers to live as God’s children, guided by love and truth, rather than sin. The passage underscores the importance of actions over claims, challenging us to embody our faith in our daily lives.
In reflection, we are reminded that true freedom is found in living according to God’s will, liberated from sin’s shackles. Like the Jews, we may face spiritual enslavement, but through faith, we can find liberation. Let us strive to live as children of God, demonstrating our commitment through love and truth, thereby experiencing the freedom Jesus offers.