Friday 20^th March – Friday of the 4^th week of Lent

Reflection: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT

“We know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”Jn 7:27

The Jews failed to recognize the divinity of Jesus because they thought they knew Him too well. “Isn’t He the carpenter’s son? Isn’t Mary his mother and aren’t James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas his brothers? Aren’t all his sisters living here (Matthew 13:55-56)? They expected the Christ to come in a majestic way and not in a way that touched their neighborhood, entered into close dealings with them, or lifted the hammers in a trade shop around them. Thus, their familiarity with Christ blinded them from knowing His true identity.

Dear friends, are we not also guilty of this same contempt bred by familiarity? Do we still recognize Christ in the Holy Eucharist and receive Him with reverence or have we lost the significance of what we receive and just receive it as a routine? Do we still recognize that the Church as a sacred place where we should comport ourselves or do we treat the Church as we like? Do we still recognize Christ in the person of our Priests and Religious and do we treat them as such or have we lost focus of who they are out of our familiarity with them?

Do we realize our duty of serving God in our groups in Church and places of work or have we lost focus by seeking for human approval and praise? Do we still hear God’s voice in the words of the Bible or has it become a mere historical book for us? Do we realize the recompense of God for a good and holy life or are we blinded in the pleasure of sin? Do we realize that we talk to God in prayers and as such He deserves all our attention or do we consciously give in to distractions? How often do we recite prayers without thinking of their meanings? Do we still give due respect to our parents and elders as we ought to or have we lost focus of this out of familiarity?

Beloved in Christ, today offers you an opportunity to reflect on how well you are living for God. He desires that true worshippers worship Him, not merely as a routine but in spirit and in truth

PRAYER: Lord enlighten my heart with your light that as I grow in you, I may never lose focus of who you are to me. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 218 – What is the right way to honor the Lord present in the bread and wine?

Because God is truly present in the consecrated species of bread and wine, we must preserve the sacred gifts with the greatest reverence and worship our Lord and Redeemer in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Reverence the Lord with all your being and respect the priests.” Sirach 7:29 CCB

Today’s Readings: Wisdom 2:1, 12-22, Psalm 34:16-23, John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30