Wednesday 20 March 2024

Today is Wednesday the 20th of March, in the 5th week of Lent.

The Monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing Le Dieu de Vérité: ‘The God of truth, begotten by the Father, came down from heaven’. As I listen, I place myself now before the God of truth, the God with whom I can be completely open and honest, the God with whom there is no pretension, the God who knows me better than I know myself.

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Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 8:31-42

Then Jesus said to the Judeans 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.


How do you hear the words spoken in today’s reading? Feel the tension in the air.

“We are descendants of Abraham.” Jesus’ objectors hold up their ticket, yet they don’t seem to show the faith of their great ancestor.

Jesus points them to love, to freedom in truth; to recognising sin, to being his true disciples by continuing in his word.

…‘continuing in my word’. How does this speak to you?

Listen to the passage again, and notice what stays with you further.

As this reflection draws to a close, you might choose to stay with Jesus in support as he faces violent opposition. Ask for help to ‘continue in his word’.

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.
Amen.