Friday 8 April 2022

Today is Friday the 8th of April, in the fifth week of Lent.
The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Laetetur cor quaerentium:
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened, seek his face always. Entering into prayer today, I too am seeking the Lord, seeking his face, looking for the signs of his presence in my life, gently guiding me in truth and peace and love.
Laetetur cor quaerentium Dominum:
quaerite Dominum, et confirmamini:
quaerite faciem eius semper.
Confitemini Domino, et invocate nomen ejus:
annuntiate intergentes opera eius.
Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice and be strengthened, always seek his face.
Confess unto the Lord and call upon his name. Proclaim his works to the Gentiles.


Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.
John 10:31-42
The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?’ The Jews answered, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.’ Jesus answered, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, you are gods”? If those to whom the word of God came were called “gods”—and the scripture cannot be annulled— can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, “I am God’s Son”? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.
He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, ‘John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ And many believed in him there.

As we come closer to Holy Week, we meet the resistance of those who cannot believe. Is this difficult to hear? Maybe this something you have experience of. If so, how did this make you feel?
How do you respond to those who question faith? Is it something that can be evidenced or proven? Jesus offers his actions as proof. Deeds not words. Is this something you recognise for yourself?

As you listen to the passage again, notice that for the many who did believe, they are helped by the witness of John. What stirrings does this raise of your own witness?
Is there someone who has been that witness for you? Call them to mind now and give thanks.


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.