Thursday 26th March – Thursday of the 5th week of Lent

Reflection: John 8: 51-59

DO YOU KNOW HIM?

Do you know the President of your country? Your response is certainly “Yes! I do”. Let’s take another question: Do you know your mother? Sure, you certainly know your mother! But, I am certain that you know your mother in a different way; you know her character, likes and dislikes,  favourite food, clothing, movie, music etc. This is because you have lived with her and so know her in an intimate way. Though you know your country’s president, you probably just know his name, maybe his background and nothing more because you have no personal relationship with Him. You simply know about him rather than know him.

Many of us claim to know God. We would be just as offended as the Jews in today’s reading if someone says we don’t know God like Jesus told the Jews: “my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, “He is our God” although you do not know Him…” (John 8: 54-55). But did they really know God? If they did, would they not have recognized and accepted the Christ just as Simeon and Hannah recognized the Baby Jesus in the temple?

Dear friend, God desires that you and I know Him. We are not merely His creatures; we are His beloved children through our Baptism. He created us to know Him, love Him, serve Him in this world and be with Him eternally. We can only love and serve God truly when we know Him. Do you seek to know God? He is always ready to reveal Himself to you through Scriptures, in prayer, in every day events, in the Eucharist…but are you willing to spend time with Him? God is ever calling you to Himself, make a decision this season to spend more time with God and you will truly come to know Him.

PRAYER: Lord, I desire to know you! Please help me to develop an intimate friendship with you by responding to your call to be alone with you and may I grow in my knowledge and love for you through this. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 7 – Why did God have to show himself in order for us to be able to know what he is like?

Man can know by reason that God exists, but not what God is really like. Yet because God would very much like to be known, he has revealed himself.

HIDE A TREASURE: “I am the good shepherd, I know my own and my own know me” John 10:14 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Genesis 17: 3-9; Psalm 105: 4-9; John 8: 51-59