Wednesday 6 April 2022

Today is Wednesday the 6th of April, in the fifth week of Lent.
The Evening Choir sings, ‘Be Ye Wise’, by Carson Cooman. How do you hear these words sung today? Spend some time meditating with them as we enter into prayer…
Be ye wise. Be ye innocent. Be ye wise. Behold, ye are sent forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye wise as serpents, and as innocent as doves.
Wisdom entereth the heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto the soul.


Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.
John 8:31-42
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’
Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’
They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.’ They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me.

Later in the gospel, Pilate will ask Jesus: ‘What is truth?’
What is truth? What is freedom? What is your response to these concepts?
Those Jesus is speaking to, have tied themselves into an ideal of freedom without asking what the cost has been. They haven’t noticed that their understanding has limitations and exclusions. Truth and freedom are concepts that we value today. How do you reconcile your understanding and the words of Jesus?

‘If God were your Father, then you would love me’. Truth and freedom lead to love, the heart of John’s gospel. As you listen to the passage again, notice your response to Jesus’ words and invitation.
Now in prayer, ask the Lord for whatever you need to live in God’s love.


You have given all to me

To You, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours, do with it what you will
Give me only your love and your grace
That is enough for me.