March 22 2024: Bible Verse of the Day – Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent – Jews Picked Up Rocks To Stone Jesus – John 10:31-42
31 The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
33 The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God. – John 10:31-42
Catholic Readings For Today
Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Today’s Bible Verse of the Day Reflections
In John 10:31-42, a poignant moment unfolds as conflict escalates between Jesus and the religious leaders.
Accusing him of blasphemy for claiming unity with the Father, the Jews reach for stones to stone him. In response, Jesus challenges them to consider the miraculous works he has performed, emphasizing that these acts bear witness to his divine identity.
As we draw closer to Holy Week, and to Good Friday, we begin to see that hatred was growing toward Jesus.
Jesus boldly asserts his oneness with the Father, a declaration met with accusations of blasphemy. He points to the miracles as proof of his divine authority. The response of the religious leaders, reaching for stones, reflects the increasing hostility and rejection Jesus faced.
Just as we saw in yesterday’s reflection, this makes no sense. To hate Jesus and to desire to stone Him to death is an act of the greatest irrationality. But this is what happened.
Little by little, those who were against Jesus grew in boldness until that ultimate day came when He laid down His life for us and willingly embraced His death.
Over the next two weeks it’s good to face this irrationality and persecution head on. It’s good to see the hatred of so many and to name it for what it is.
No, it’s not a pleasant thought, but it is reality. It’s the world we live in. And it’s a reality we will all face in our lives.
When confronting evil and persecution, we should do so as Jesus did. He faced it without fear. He faced it with the truth and never accepted the lies and calumny that so many threw at Him.
The fact of the matter is that the closer we grow toward God, the greater the persecution and hatred we will encounter.
Again, this may not make sense to us. It’s easy to think that if we are close to God and strive for holiness everyone will love and praise us. But it wasn’t that way for Jesus and it will not be that way for us either.
One key to holiness is that in the midst of persecution, suffering, hardship and sorrow, we stand firm in the truth. It’s always tempting to think that we must be doing something wrong when things do not go our way.
It’s easy to be confused by the lies and calumny that the world throws at us when we try to stand for goodness and the truth.
One thing God wants of us, in the midst of our own crosses, is to purify our faith and resolve to stand firm in His Word and Truth.
When we face some cross or some persecution it can be like getting hit in the head. We may feel like we are in a daze and can give into panic and fear.
But these are the times, more than any other, when we need to stand strong.
We need to remain humble but deeply convicted about all that God has said and revealed to us. This deepens our ability to trust God in all things.
It’s easy to say we trust God when life is easy, it’s hard to trust Him when the cross we face is quite heavy.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that no matter what your cross may be, it is a gift from God in that He is desiring to strengthen you for some greater purpose.
As Saint John Paul the Great said over and over during his pontificate, “Do not be afraid!” Face your fears and let God transform you in the midst of them.
If you do so, you will discover that your greatest struggles in life actually turn out to be your greatest blessings.
A Story: Modern-day Lack of Faith, Skepticism, and the Timeless Struggle for Spiritual Truth
In a bustling city named Urbanopolis, there lived a man named Joshua who had a deep understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Joshua was known for his compassion, kindness, and remarkable ability to explain the profound messages of love and forgiveness that Jesus had shared centuries ago.
One day, Joshua gathered a group of curious individuals in a local community center to share the timeless teachings of Jesus Christ.
He spoke about the importance of love for one another, forgiveness of sins, and the transformative power of faith. Some people in the audience were captivated by his words, feeling a connection to the profound wisdom he shared.
However, not everyone in Urbanopolis was receptive to Joshua’s message. A group of skeptics, influenced by their own preconceived notions and beliefs, challenged Joshua’s teachings.
They demanded concrete evidence of Jesus Christ’s divinity and questioned the relevance of his teachings in the modern world.
Undeterred, Joshua continued to share stories of Jesus’ miracles, parables, and the ultimate sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of humanity.
He performed acts of kindness, healing those in need, and demonstrating the love and compassion that were central to Jesus’ message.
Despite witnessing these powerful demonstrations, the skeptics remained skeptical. They clung to their doubts and refused to accept the possibility that Jesus’ teachings could be the path to eternal life.
They accused Joshua of blasphemy and dismissed the idea that the words of Jesus Christ could bring true transformation and salvation.
In a moment of frustration, Joshua looked at the skeptics and said, “Jesus Christ and God the Father are one.” He emphasized the unity of his teachings with the divine wisdom of Jesus Christ.
But the skeptics, hardened in their skepticism, refused to acknowledge the connection and persisted in their rejection of Christianity.
The story of Joshua in Urbanopolis reflects the ongoing struggle in the world today, where some people encounter the teachings of Jesus Christ through various messengers.
Just as in the Gospel of John, there are those who, despite witnessing signs and wonders, continue to reject the possibility of a higher truth and the divinity of Jesus’ teachings, remaining entrenched in their skepticism and disbelief.
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Prayer: Lord, as we draw near to the commemoration of Your own suffering and death, help me to unite my crosses to Yours.
Help me to see in my daily struggle Your presence and strength. Help me to see the purpose you have for me in the midst of these challenges. Jesus, I love You. Amen.
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