L'Evangile dans ma vie/ The Gospel in my life

Gospel text

(Jn 8,21-30): 

Jesus said to the Pharisees, «I am going away, and though you look for me, you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come». The Jews wondered, «Why does he say that we can't come where he is going? Will he kill him­self?». But Jesus said, «You are from below and I am from above; you are of this world and I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you shall die in your sins unless you believe that I am He».

They asked him, «Who are you?»; and Jesus said, «Just what I have told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the One who sent me is truthful and everything I learned from him, I proclaim to the world». They didn't understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, «When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of my­self, but I say just what the Father taught me. He who sent me is with me and has not left me alone; because I always do what pleases him». As Jesus spoke like this, many believed in him.

A Daily Quote for Lent:

Aided by Christ's grace,

by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God the Father said: 'I sent you One who would seek you out, walk with you, and forgive you. So he had feet to walk with and hands to forgive with. Thus, when he ascended after his resurrection, he showed hands, side, and feet: hands with which he gave pardon to sinners; and side from which flowed the ransom of the redeemed.'" (excerpt from Sermon 16A,10)

Texte de l'Évangile

(Jn 8,21-30): 

Jésus leur dit encore: «Je m'en vais; vous me chercherez, et vous mourrez dans votre péché. Là où moi je m'en vais, vous ne pouvez pas y aller». Les Juifs disaient: «Veut-il donc se suicider, puisqu'il dit: ‘Là où moi je m'en vais, vous ne pouvez pas y aller’?». Il leur répondit: «Vous, vous êtes d'en bas; moi, je suis d'en haut. Vous êtes de ce monde; moi, je ne suis pas de ce monde. C'est pourquoi je vous ai dit que vous mourrez dans vos péchés. Si, en effet, vous ne croyez pas que moi, je suis, vous mourrez dans vos péchés».

Ils lui demandaient: «Qui es-tu donc?». Jésus leur répondit: «Je n'ai pas cessé de vous le dire. J'ai beaucoup à dire sur vous, et beaucoup à condamner. D'ailleurs celui qui m'a envoyé dit la vérité, et c'est de lui que j'ai entendu ce que je dis pour le monde». Ils ne comprirent pas qu'il leur parlait du Père. Jésus leur déclara: «Quand vous aurez élevé le Fils de l'homme, alors vous comprendrez que moi, je suis, et que je ne fais rien par moi-même, mais tout ce que je dis, c'est le Père qui me l'a enseigné. Celui qui m'a envoyé est avec moi; il ne m'a pas laissé seul parce que je fais toujours ce qui lui plaît». Sur ces paroles de Jésus, beaucoup crurent en lui.

«Quand vous aurez élevé le Fils de l'homme, alors vous comprendrez que moi, je suis»

Abbé Josep Mª MANRESA Lamarca
(Valldoreix, Barcelona, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, cinquième mardi du Carême, à une semaine de la contemplation de la Passion du Seigneur, Celui-ci nous invite à le regarder lorsqu'Il nous rachète et nous libère d'abord sur la Croix: «Jésus Christ est notre pontife, son corps précieux est notre sacrifice qu'il a immolé sur l'autel de la Croix pour le salut de tous les hommes» (Saint John Fisher).

«Quand vous aurez élevé le Fils de l'homme...» (Jn 8,28). En effet, le Christ Crucifié —le Christ “élevé”!— c'est le signe grand et définitif de l'amour du Père pour l'Humanité abattue. Ses bras ouverts entre le ciel et la terre, tracent le signe indélébile de son amitié avec nous, les hommes. En le voyant, ainsi, élevé devant notre regard pécheur, nous comprendrons que Lui, il est (cf. Jn 8,28). Et alors, comme ces juifs qui l'écoutaient, nous aussi croirons en Lui.

Seule l'amitié de celui qui est familiarisé avec la Croix peut nous rendre connaturel l'approfondissement du Cœur du Rédempteur. Prétendre à un Évangile sans Croix, dépourvu du sentiment chrétien de la mortification, ou contaminé par le milieu païen et naturaliste qui nous empêche de comprendre la valeur rédemptrice de la souffrance, nous placerait devant la terrible éventualité d'entendre des lèvres du Christ: «Après tout, pourquoi continuer à nous parler?».

Que notre regard vers la Croix, regard détendu et contemplative, soit une question adressée au Crucifié. Sans bruit de paroles, nous pouvons lui demander: «Qui es-tu donc?» (Jn 8,25). Il nous répondra «Moi, je suis le Chemin, la Vérité et la Vie» (Jn 14,6), la Vigne, sans laquelle, nous, pauvres sarments, ne pouvons donner de fruits, car Lui seul a les paroles de vie éternelle. Si nous ne croyons pas que Lui, il est, nous mourrons dans nos péchés. Mais nous vivrons, et vivrons déjà sur cette terre la vie du ciel, si nous apprenons de Lui la joyeuse certitude que le Père est parmi nous, et qu'Il ne nous abandonne pas. C'est ainsi que nous imiterons le Fils en faisant toujours ce qui plait au Père.

Gospel text

 (Jn 8,1-11): 

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak Jesus appeared in the Temple again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them.

Then the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They made her stand in front of everyone. «Master», they said, «this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses orders that such women be stoned to death; but you, what do you say?». They said this to test Jesus, in order to have some charge against him. Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. And as they continued to ask him, He straightened up and said to them, «Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her». And He bent down again, writing on the ground.

As a result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Then Jesus stood up and said to her, «Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?». She replied, «No one». And Jesus said, «Neither do I condemn you; go away and don't sin again».

The Application

When accusation is brought before us, the first thing that we would like to apply is social justice. There is nothing wrong in this approach. As Christians, we are called to act in our humanity, in a divinely manner, filled with love and compassion. If we are innocent like Suzanna or like this adulterous woman, we should never fail to invoke Jesus, because His mercy has no limit.

An act of love and compassion, not only saved this woman, but the whole society of committing a violent act, which will produce no good, neither for the society, nor for the individual. The more we are influenced with this divine mercy, better will be our society.

Today’s gospel does invite us to look into our own life and surrender before the divine mercy. We may not always feel and sense the divine presence, but the Lord is always there with us, in silence, doing what He should do, than what we wish Him to do. We should give God the place and space He deserves, than making Him as our servant, a faithful one, who accomplishes our personal desires, though holy they may be.

Again and again He proves to us that He is here, not to judge us, but to save us. It’s high time that we believe in this divine mercy and get converted.

Action of the day: Be compassionate and merciful.

«Go away and don't sin again»

Fr, Jordi PASCUAL i Bancells
(Salt, Girona, Spain)

Today, we are given to see in the Gospel the merciful face of Jesus. God is love, and Love that forgives, Love that takes pity on our failings, Love that saves. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees «brought in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery» (Jn 8:4) and they asked the Lord: «But you, what do you say?» (Jn 8:5). They were not as much interested in following Jesus' teachings as they were in accusing him of going against the Mosaic Law. But the Master takes advantage of this occasion to manifest that He has come to seek the sinners, to straighten out the fallen, to call them to conversion and to penance. And this is for us the message for Lent, inasmuch as we are all sinners and we all need God's saving grace.

Today, it is said that the sense of sin has been stifled. There are many who do not know what is good or bad, nor why. It is like saying —in a positive way— that the sense of Love for God has been quenched: of God's Love for us, and the reciprocity this Love exacts from us. He who loves does not offend. He, who recognizes being loved and forgiven, renders love for Love: «They asked the Friend which was the source of love. He answered, the one where the Beloved has cleansed our faults» (Raymond Llull).

This is why, the sense of conversion and penance during Lent is to confront us face-to-face with God, to look straight into the eyes of God in the Cross, to personally go and confess our sins to Him by way of the sacrament of Penance. And, Jesus will tell us, as He did with the woman in the Gospel: «Neither do I condemn you… go away and don't sin again» (Jn 8:11). God forgives, and, on our side, this entails a demand, a commitment: Do not sin again!

Mary, haven of sinners, pray for us!

Texte de l'Évangile

(Jn 8,1-11): 

Jésus s'était rendu au mont des Oliviers; de bon matin, il retourna au Temple. Comme tout le peuple venait à Lui, il s'assit et se mit à enseigner.

Les scribes et les pharisiens lui amènent une femme qu'on avait surprise en train de commettre l'adultère. Ils la font avancer, et disent à Jésus: «Maître, cette femme a été prise en flagrant délit d'adultère. Or, dans la Loi, Moïse nous a ordonné de lapider ces femmes-là. Et toi, qu'en dis-tu?». Ils parlaient ainsi pour le mettre à l'épreuve, afin de pouvoir l'accuser. Mais Jésus s'était baissé et, du doigt, il traçait des traits sur le sol. Comme on persistait à l'interroger, Il se redressa et leur dit: «Celui d'entre vous qui est sans péché, qu'il soit le premier à lui jeter la pierre». Et Il se baissa de nouveau pour tracer des traits sur le sol.

Quant à eux, sur cette réponse, ils s'en allaient l'un après l'autre, en commençant par les plus âgés. Jésus resta seul avec la femme en face de lui. Il se redressa et Lui demanda: «Femme, où sont-il donc? Alors, personne ne t'a condamnée?». Elle répondit: «Personne, Seigneur». Et Jésus lui dit: «Moi non plus, je ne te condamne pas. Va, et désormais ne pèche plus».

L’Application

Jésus n’est pas venu pour nous juger, mais par Lui que le monde soit sauver. Aujourd’hui Il a sauvé non seulement cette fille, la bienaimée du Père, mais aussi une société, toute entière.

L’évangile du jour nous demande de faire une relecture de notre vie et Dieu nous accorde en peu de temps, en peu de plus. Profitons ce temps de confinement et convertissons-nous.

Suzanne était sauvée, parce qu’elle était innocente. Et cette femme de l’évangile était sauvée, parce qu’elle demandait la miséricorde divine. Quel que soit notre état vie réel, Dieu nous sauvera, à condition que nous soyons ouverts et accueillant.

«Va, et désormais ne pèche plus»

Abbé Jordi PASCUAL i Bancells
(Salt, Girona, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, nous contemplons dans l'Évangile le visage miséricordieux de Jésus. Dieu est Amour, Amour qui pardonne, Amour qui souffre pour nos faiblesses, Amour qui sauve. Les docteurs de la Loi de Moïse et les pharisiens «lui amènent une femme qu'on avait surprise en train de commettre l'adultère» (Jn 8,4) et ils demandent au Seigneur: «Et toi, qu'en dis-tu?» (Jn 8,5). Ce qu'ils veulent, ce n'est pas tant suivre l'enseignement de Jésus que de pouvoir l'accuser d'aller contre la Loi de Moïse. Mais le Maître en profite pour manifester qu'Il est venu chercher les pécheurs, relever ceux qui sont tombés, les appeler à la conversion et à la pénitence. C'est là, pour nous, le message du Carême, puisque nous sommes tous pécheurs et avons tous besoin de la grâce salvifique de Dieu.

L'on dit que de nos jours le sens du péché s'est perdu. Beaucoup ne savent plus ce qui est bien ou mal, ni pourquoi. Cela revient à dire —de manière positive— qu'on a perdu le sens de l'Amour a Dieu: de l'Amour de Dieu pour nous, et —de notre part— de la correspondance que cet Amour requiert. Celui qui aime n'offense pas. Celui qui se sait aimé et pardonné rend amour pour Amour: «L'on demanda à l'Ami quelle est la source de l'amour. Il répondit: celle où l'Aimé nous a lavé de nos fautes» (Raymond Llull).

C'est pourquoi le sens de la conversion et de la pénitence propres au Carême est de nous placer devant Dieu, de regarder dans les yeux le Seigneur sur la Croix, d'accourir pour Lui manifester personnellement nos péchés dans le sacrement de la Pénitence. Et Jésus nous dira, comme à la femme de l'Évangile: «Moi non plus, je ne te condamne pas. Va, et désormais ne pèche plus» (Jn 8,11). Dieu pardonne, et cela suppose pour nous une exigence, un engagement: Ne pèches plus!.

‘I would put my spirit in you’ and the liturgy of the day invites us to meditate on this divine Spirit that God brings us at this difficult time. Admittedly, today we do not see it. However, it is not difficult to see Him in those people who instill hope in the hearts of men, who bring a word of consolation, a gesture of friendship, a two-minute call, etc. This God is there with us, among us and in us. We as believers, have to bring Him out through our words and actions, so that others can discover Him.

How can we do it? Let us look at the Lord and imitate his behavior. The news is not good. ‘Whom you love is sick’, in truth, he is dead. The temptation is great in the face of a pain and suffering, and we must act now. The Lord invites us to act like him. Take your time and calm down internally. A troubled water is not drinkable. Inquire and verify the information received and find out the truth. The Lord tells us "this disease does not lead to death, it is for the glory of God, so that through it the Son of God may be glorified. Covid-19 is not the end of the world. We can still hope in medical and scientific research. We will find a solution. It is also a call for conversion and put our hope in the Lord, by doing the maximum that we could  in our capacity.

The second step is to encourage one another, particularly those who are in need of our support and accompaniment. The Lord took the time to train his disciples and to teach them to act, not only through emotions and feelings, but also in faith and wisdom. Always seek a way to glorify God, not only in happy times and also in difficult times. We must learn to see, not only the worries and difficulties that are highly visible and publicized, but also to see the Lord in the invisible who accompanies us discreetly, who puts the people who work day and night to save us.

Thomas' reaction is just, "Let's go, too, to die with him!" Jesus does not go up to Jerusalem to die, but to give his life, to give us life. He is the resurrection. If we go up with Him, we will not die, but even in death we will live. The confinement we live in, apparently preventing us from going out. It is also a time to enter into our interiority, prioritize our families, our brothers and sisters, our friends, etc. Let's take advantage of the opportunity to talk, share, and be creative in the kitchen, make the dishes that take its time. Take the time to reconcile with our brothers and sisters. Let our children learn to cook, arrange the living room, clean the garage, etc. Some of us have received the call of our friends, our children, our brothers and sisters, etc. Let us give thanks to the Lord for this gift of confinement. We must look , not at all that we do not have, but are called to look, particularly  all that this time offers us.

"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. "It seems to us that it is a just proposition. Sadly, it's wrong. The Lord is still there. When we are overwhelmed by the worries of this world, by our discouragement, heartbreak, by sadness, many of us do not realize the divine presence. Martha becomes the messenger of the Lord " The Master is there, he calls you. Today, we too must be this messenger to our discouraged and torn brothers and sisters. We need to identify the Lord to them.

Jesus cries. In our empathy and sympathy, we should also learn to cry with people. Feel their pains and sufferings, just like Jesus. It serves no one by simply closed into our rooms and crying.  We should come out, if we can, and join in eradicating the pains of others.  Sometime the proposal looks so stupid and incomprehensible. Opening a tomb of dead person since four days, is a terrible moment. Still, it’s the Lord who demands us. We should obey the Lord.  With the Lord we should take risk. Let us take the risk of sitting inside and praying. Let us learn to celebrate the mass in closed doors. Looks stupid, still what is best to do, in this troubled time. Liberate us and untie us from all prejudices and from all that we have learned just today. There is a new teaching and new way of celebrating. Come out of  old way of thinking and doing.  “Untie Him and let him go”. Amen.

Gospel text

(Jn 7,40-53): 

Many who had been listening to the words of Jesus began to say, «This is the Prophet». Others said, «This is the Christ». But some wondered, «Would the Christ come from Galilee? Doesn't Scripture say that the Christ is a descendant of David and from Bethlehem, the city of David?».

The crowd was divided over him. Some wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers of the Temple went back to the chief priests who asked them, «Why didn't you bring him?». The officers answered, «No one ever spoke like this man». The Pharisees then said, «So you, too, have been led astray! Have any of the rulers or any of the Pharisees believed in him? Only these cursed people, who have no knowledge of the Law!».

Yet one of them, Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier, spoke out, «Does our law condemn people without first hearing them and knowing the facts?». They replied, «Do you, too, come from Galilee? Look it up and see for yourself that no prophet is to come from Galilee». And they all went home.

«No one ever spoke like this man»

Fr. Fernand ARÉVALO
(Bruxelles, Belgium)

Today, the Gospel presents the different reactions which the words of our Lord produced. John's text does not offer us any word from the Master, but it does mention the consequences of what He said. Some thought He was a prophet; others said «This is the Christ» (Jn 7:41).

Jesus Christ is truly a “sign that will be contradicted” as Simon had told Mary (cf. Lk 2:34). Those who listened to Jesus' words did not remain indifferent to them, to the point that, on this occasion, as in many others, «the crowd was divided over Him» (Jn 7:43). The reply of the officers who wanted to arrest the Lord centers the question and shows us the power of Christ's words: «No one ever spoke like this man» (Jn 7:46). It is like saying: His words are different; they are not empty boastful words, full of arrogance and falseness. He is “the Truth” and his way of speaking reflects this reality.

And if this happened amid his audience, his deeds provoked even more amazement and admiration; but also, criticism, gossip, hate... Jesus Christ spoke “the language of charity”: his deeds and his words showed the deep love He felt towards all men, especially those more in need of assistance.

Today as then, we Christians are —must be— “a sign of contradiction”, because we do not speak and behave like others do. By imitating and following Jesus Christ, we likewise must use “the language of charity and love”, a necessary language that, in fact, we can all understand. As the Holy Father, our Pope Benedict XVI, wrote in his encyclical Deus caritas est, «Love —caritas— will always prove necessary, even in the most just society (...). Whoever wants to eliminate love is preparing to eliminate man as such».

«No one ever spoke like this man»

Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench
(Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, we can feel how, a few days before His Passion in Jerusalem, the atmosphere around our Lord becomes “strained”. Because of him a kind of controversial argument begins. It could not be otherwise: «Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division» (Lk 12:51).

And it does not mean our Redeemer likes controversy and division, but rather that, before God, “half-baked ideas” are no good: «He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters» (Lk 11:23). It is inevitable! Before him one cannot take a neutral stand: either He exists or He does not exist; either He is my Lord, or He is not my Lord. «No one can serve two masters» (Mt 6:24).

John Paul II considered that before God one must choose. The simple faith our good God requests from us implies an option. We have to choose because He does not want to impose upon us: He came to Earth in a discreet manner; He died stunned, without making any ostentation of his divinity (Phil 2:6). This is what so wonderfully expresses Saint Thomas Aquinas in his Adoro Te devote: «On the cross was veiled Thy Godhead's splendor; but here (in the Eucharist) Thy manhood lies hidden too».

We have go to choose! God does not impose upon us; He offers himself to us. And it is up to us to decide for him or not. It is a personal matter each one —with the help of the Holy Spirit— has to solve by himself. Miracles are useless, if man's dispositions are not humility and simplicity. We can see the Jews divided before the same facts. And, this is because in love matters it is not possible to give a half-hearted, half way reply: Christian vocation implies radical response, so radical as the testimony of submission and obedience Christ gave in the Cross.

Texte de l'Évangile

(Jn 7,40-53): 

Dans la foule, on avait entendu ses paroles, et les uns disaient: «C'est vraiment lui, le grand Prophète!». D'autres disaient: «C'est lui le Messie!». Mais d'autres encore demandaient: «Est-ce que le Messie peut venir de Galilée? L'Écriture dit pourtant qu'il doit venir de la descendance de David et de Bethléem, le village où habitait David!».

C'est ainsi que la foule se divisa à son sujet. Quelques-uns d'entre eux voulaient l'arrêter, mais personne ne mit la main sur lui. Voyant revenir les gardes qu'ils avaient envoyés arrêter Jésus, les chefs des prêtres et les pharisiens leur demandèrent: «Pourquoi ne l'avez-vous pas ramené?». Les gardes répondirent: «Jamais un homme n'a parlé comme cet homme!». Les pharisiens leur répliquèrent: «Alors, vous aussi, vous vous êtes laissé égarer? Parmi les chefs du peuple et les pharisiens, y en a-t-il un seul qui ait cru en lui? Quant à cette foule qui ne sait rien de la Loi, ce sont des maudits!».

Parmi les pharisiens, il y avait Nicodème, qui était allé précédemment trouver Jésus; il leur dit: «Est-ce que notre Loi permet de condamner un homme sans l'entendre d'abord pour savoir ce qu'il a fait?». Ils lui répondirent: «Alors, toi aussi, tu es de Galilée? Cherche bien, et tu verras que jamais aucun prophète ne surgit de Galilée!». Puis ils rentrèrent chacun chez soi.

«Jamais un homme n'a parlé comme cet homme!»

Abbé Fernand ARÉVALO
(Bruxelles, Belgique)

Aujourd'hui, l'Évangile nous présente les différentes réactions qui produisaient les paroles de notre Seigneur. Ce texte dans l'Évangile de Jean ne nous propose aucune parole de Jésus, mais nous parle au contraire des conséquences de ce qu'Il disait. Certains pensaient qu'Il était prophète, d'autres disaient «C'est lui le Messie!» (Jn 7,41).

En vérité Jésus est le signe de la contradiction que Siméon avait annoncé à Marie (cf. Lc 2,34). Jésus ne laisse pas indifférents ceux qui l'entendaient, au point qu'à cette occasion comme dans beaucoup d'autres «c'est ainsi que la foule se divisa à son sujet» (Jn 7,43). La réponse des gardes qui prétendaient le détenir, encadre nettement la question et nous montre la force des paroles du Christ: «Jamais un homme n'a parlé comme cet homme» (Jn 7,46). Ce qui veut dire: ses paroles sont différentes, ce ne sont pas des paroles creuses, remplies d'orgueil et de mensonges. Il est la “Vérité” et sa façon de parler reflète cela.

Et si cela se produisait chez ses auditeurs, avec plus grande raison ses œuvres provoquaient l'étonnement, l'admiration ainsi que la critique, les bavardages, la haine… Jésus parlait le “langage de la charité”, ses œuvres et ses paroles manifestaient l'amour profond qu'Il avait pour tous les hommes, surtout ceux qui étaient le plus dans le besoin.

Aujourd'hui comme au temps du Christ, nous les chrétiens sommes —ou nous devons être— “signe de discorde”, car nous ne devons pas parler et agir comme les autres. En imitant et suivant le Christ, nous devons, nous aussi employer le “langage de la charité et de l'amour”, un langage universel que tous les hommes sont capables de comprendre. Comme le dit le Pape Benoît XVI dans son encyclique Deus caritas est, «L'amour —caritas— sera toujours nécessaire, même dans la société la plus juste (…). Celui qui veut s'affranchir de l'amour se prépare à s'affranchir de l'homme en tant qu'homme».

Gospel text

(Jn 7,1-2.10.14.25-30): 

Jesus went around Galilee; He would not go about in Judea because the Jews wanted to kill him. Now the Jewish feast of the Tents was at hand. But after his brothers had gone to the festival, He also went up, not publicly but in secret.

Some of the people of Jerusalem said, «Is this not the man they want to kill? And here He is speaking freely, and they don't say a word to him? Can it be that the rulers know that this is really the Christ? Yet we know where this man comes from; but when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from». So Jesus announced in a loud voice in the Temple court where He was teaching, «You say that you know me and know where I come from! I have not come of myself; I was sent by the One who is true, and you don't know him. I know him for I come from him and he sent me». They would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him because his time had not yet come.

The Application

I would like to invite you all to see today’s Gospel with three different angles and to live this in your own way.

1. People are looking to kill Jesus and Jesus is in the Temple, in the very presence of His enemies. The very presence of Jesus consoles us, because our God will always remain with us, if we desire His presence. If Jesus could reach out even to the killers, He will certainly be with us.
2. There are people who dare to see evil even in the divine goodness. Jesus comes with compassion and love, and these people are searching a good moment to make Him disappear.  We too are living amidst these people. We need not get panicked, because we are sent towards their conversion and be a witness of divine mercy, even to our enemies. At the same time, there is need to use our intelligence to protect ourselves and be aware of our enemies.
3. ‘His time’ is the moment He will lay His life for the salvation of the humanity. No one can touch His life, only God gives it for our salvation. Even this moment of covid-19, though look like terrible, it will one day pass away. God hasn’t willed this for us. However, He can make use of this moment to reveal to us His love and compassion and at the same time our strengths and weakness.  In faith, He will certainly accompany us and guide us. Let us not be afraid, because this God is always there with us.

Action of the day:  Remain as a person of hope to the people around you.

«His time had not yet come»

Fr. Matthew J. ALBRIGHT
(Andover, Ohio, United States)

Today’s Gospel allows us to contemplate the confusion that arose over the identity and mission of Jesus Christ. As the people come face to face with Jesus, there are misunderstandings and presumptions about who He is, how He will or will not fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and what He will accomplish. Assumptions and judgments lead to frustration and anger. So it is in every age: confusion over faith in Christ and Church teaching sparks controversy and religious disintegration. The flock is scattered if the sheep do not know their shepherd.

The people say: «We know where this man comes from; but when the Christ appears, no one will know where He comes from» (Jn 7:27) and conclude that Jesus cannot be the Messiah because He does not fit the description of “Messiah” that they have been taught. On the other hand, they know that the Chief Priests want Him dead but can see that He is walking about freely without being arrested, so that wonder «Can it be that the rulers know that this is really the Christ?» (Jn 7:26).

Jesus cuts through the confusion by identifying Himself as “sent by the One who is true” (cf. Jn 7:28). He is in charge of the situation, as He is portrayed by John, and no one touches Him because the time has not yet come for Him to fully reveal His identity and mission. Jesus defies expectations by showing Himself to be, not a conquering leader overthrowing Roman oppression but the Suffering Servant of Isaiah.

Pope Francis wrote in “Evangelii Gaudium”: «The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus». It is critical that we help everyone we meet to get beyond presumptions and judgments about who Jesus is and what the Church is and facilitate for them an encounter with Jesus. When a person comes to know who Jesus really is, joy and peace abound.

Texte de l'Évangile

(Jn 7,1-2.10.14.25-30): 

La fête juive des Tentes approchait. Lorsque les frères de Jésus furent montés à Jérusalem pour la fête, il y monta lui aussi, non pas ostensiblement, mais en secret.

La semaine de la fête était déjà à moitié passée quand Jésus monta au Temple et se mit à enseigner. Quelques habitants de Jérusalem disaient alors: «N'est-ce pas lui qu'on cherche à faire mourir? Le voilà qui parle ouvertement, et personne ne lui dit rien! Les chefs du peuple auraient-ils vraiment reconnu que c'est lui le Messie?. Cependant celui-ci, nous savons d'où il est; mais le Christ, quand il viendra, personne ne saura d'où il est». Et Jésus, enseignant dans le temple, s'écria: «Vous me connaissez, et vous savez d'où je suis! Je ne suis pas venu de moi-même: mais celui qui m'a envoyé est vrai, et vous ne le connaissez pas. Moi, je le connais; car je viens de lui, et c'est lui qui m'a envoyé. Ils cherchaient donc à se saisir de lui, et personne ne mit la main sur lui, parce que son heure n'était pas encore venue».

L’Application

Le confinement nous a obligé de restez chez nous. Certains d’entre nous le vivent sereinement et les autres le vivent très mal. Nous avons pas mal de consignes dans les réseaux social qui nous aident à remonter notre moral. Rendons grâce à Dieu pour ces moyens qui nous dispose pour que nous ayons une vie bien apaisée. On peut dire que convid-19 a réveillé la conscience de l’homme, particulièrement de son sommeil.

Pour vivre notre journée pleinement, l’évangile du jour nous propose trois regards. Le premier est ceux de Dieu en Jésus Christ. Dieu continue à travailler en Jésus christ et Il ne s’arrêtera jamais. Il nous voit avec compassion et plein de miséricorde. C’est une consolation et nous pouvons l’espérer toujours. Nous le voyons par la présence de Jésus dans le Temple et dans son enseignement.

Le deuxième est ceux des élites, les contemporains de Jésus.   Il faut toujours l’éviter. Ils cherchaient le mal dans le bien, particulièrement dans la bonté et dans la miséricorde divine. Ils cherchaient à mettre le robinet à la source. Ils croyaient qu’ils savaient tout, y compris Dieu et voulaient que Dieu agisse selon leurs désires humains. Jésus leurs pose cette question, « vous connaissez Dieu ? »  Connaissons-nous vraiment l’envoyé du Père ?

Le troisième est ceux de Dieu et son projet. L’heure de Dieu. C’est ici nous devons exprimer notre foi. 'L'heure de Jésus' l'heur où Il exprimera son amour pour nous et pour son Père dans la croix. Même si Dieu n’a pas voulu le virus pour nous, Il est pourtant capable de nous faire grandir dans cette situation. Dans la foi, Il nous aidera non seulement à vivre ce moment dans la paix et aussi à découvrir nos défauts et nos faiblesses. Dieu est capable de tout maîtriser et Il nous aidera à maîtriser ce virus.  « Personne ne mit la main sur lui, parce que son heure n'était pas encore venue. » N’ayons pas peurs, car Dieu est avec nous et Il nous accompagne.

«Personne ne mit la main sur lui, parce que son heure n'était pas encore venue»

Abbé Matthew J. ALBRIGHT
(Andover, Ohio, Etats-Unis)

Aujourd'hui, l'Évangile nous permet de contempler la confusion qui a surgi sur l'identité et la mission de Jésus-Christ. Quand les gens sont mis en face à face devant Jésus, il y a des malentendus et des présomptions à propos de qui est- Il, comment ils s'accomplissent dans Lui ou non les prophéties de l'Ancien Testament et sur ce qu'Il réalisera. Les suppositions et les préjugés conduisent à la frustration et à la colère. Cela a été toujours ainsi: la confusion autour de Christ et de l'enseignement de l'Église éveille une controverse et une division religieuse. Le troupeau se disperse si les brebis ne reconnaissent pas son berger!

Les gens disent : "Celui-ci nous savons d'où il est, alors que, quand le Christ viendra, personne ne saura d'où il est" (Jn 7,27), et ils concluent que Jésus ne peut pas être le Messie parce qu'Il ne répond pas à l'image du "Messie" dans laquelle ils avaient été instruits. Par ailleurs, ils savent que les Princes des Prêtres veulent le tuer, mais en même temps ils voient qu'Il se meut librement sans être arrêté. De façon à ce qu'ils se demandent si peut-être les autorités "auront vraiment reconnu que c'est le Christ" (Jn 7,26).

Jésus coupe la confusion en s'identifiant Lui même comme l'envoyé par celui qui est "véridique" (cf. Jn 7,28). Christ comprend la situation, tel que Jean le décrit, et personne ne mit la main sur Lui parce qu'il ne lui est pas encore arrivé, l'heure de révéler pleinement son identité et mission. Jésus défie les attentes après s'être montré, non comme un leader conquérant pour démolir l'oppression romaine, mais comme le "Serf Patient" d'Isaïe.

Le Pape François a écrit : "La joie de l'Évangile remplit le cœur et toute la vie de ceux qui se trouvent avec Jésus". Il est urgent que nous aidions chacun à aller au-delà des suppositions et des préjugés sur qui c'est Jésus et ce qui est l'Église, et à la fois leur faciliter la rencontre avec Jésus. Quand une personne arrive à savoir qui est réellement Jésus, alors la joie et la paix abondent.

Gospel text

(Jn 5,31-47): 

Jesus said to the Jews: «If I bore witness to myself, my testimony would be worthless. But Another One is bearing witness to me and I know that his testimony is true when He bears witness to me. John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to him, but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light. But I have greater evidence than that of John -the works which the Father entrusted to me to carry out. The very works I do bear witness: the Father has sent me. Thus he who bears witness to me is the Father who sent me. You have never heard his voice and have never seen his likeness; then, as long as you do not believe his messenger, his word is not in you.

»You search in the Scriptures thinking that in them you will find life; yet Scripture bears witness to me. But you refuse to come to me, that you may live. I am not seeking human praise; but I have known that love of God is not within you.

»For I have come in my Father’s name and you do not accept me. If another comes in his own name, you will accept him. As long as you seek praise from one another in­­stead of seeking the glory coming from the only God, how can you believe? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father. Moses himself in whom you placed your hope, ­accuses you. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?».

The Application

What should I do to know God and discern the divine will? Jesus seems to propose to us an answer to this question, particularly to those who know to interpret the word of God and the tradition. All the divine teachings will propose to us, two sets of three essential means to achieve, which are in fact the same.

The first set is a vision from the Old Testament: The Word of God, received through the prophets and passed on to the people in tradition. The second set is in the new testament: The word of God which helps us to understand the INCARNATED,  the teachings of the Church (prayer, fasting and charity) which helps us to understand and apply the teachings of Jesus to the contemporary world and certainly the tradition that we have received through the Fathers of the Church.

Today’s gospel says that the elite of the then society were in a sense very close to this knowledge, but still drastically failed to accept Jesus as sent by the Father. Jesus tells us that they in fact had the divine knowledge, without the necessary love for God, which is expressed through their love for their neighbors. Once we lack this love, which is expressed with charity, then all our knowledge will fail us, because they will lead us to arrogance and inhuman attitude.

Jesus is orienting us towards the Father, and affirms that if our hearts are filled with love and compassion, a pure love for God and sincere discipleship, we will be able to identify the divine presence everywhere and can learn to live in this divine presence for an eternity. In this true love and faithfulness, the words and acts of Jesus will certainly help us to understand the divine will and we too will be able to give a true witness, just like John the Baptist, because we will be fully accompanied by the Holy Spirit. Jesus says, that in His words and deeds, it is the Father who gives witness to Him. It will be the same for us too.

Action of the day: Do an act of divine love.

«If I bore witness to myself, my testimony would be worthless»

Fr. Miquel MASATS i Roca
(Girona, Spain)

Today, the Gospel teaches us how Jesus faces the following objection: as Deut 19:15, says, «one witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses». Jesus plaids in his favour John the Baptist's testimony, the Father's testimony —manifest through the works He did— and, finally, the testimony of the Scriptures.

Jesus Christ reproaches those who listen to him three impediments they have, to accept him as the Son of God's Messiah: the lack of love of God; the lack of honest intentions —they only seek the human glory— and, their having their own interests at heart when interpreting the Scriptures.

Our Holy father Pope John Paul II wrote: «You can get to the contemplation of Christ's face only by listening, in the Spirit, to the Father's voice, for no one knows the Son except the Father (cf. Mt 11:27). It is, therefore, needed the revelation from the Almighty. But, to receive it, it is indispensable to place oneself in a listening attitude».

This is why we have to bear in mind that, to declare Jesus Christ as the true Son of God, the proposed external evidence is not enough; will's rectitude is very important, that is, a good moral disposition.

In this time of Lent, by increasing the deeds of penance that facilitate our interior renovation, we shall improve our disposition to contemplate Christ's true face. This is why, Saint Josemaría, says: «That Christ you see, is not Jesus. —It will be, in any case, the sad image your blurred eyes may form... —Purify yourself. Clarify your look with humility and penance. Afterwards... you won't be lacking the clear lights of Love. And you will have a perfect vision. Your image will really be: Him!».