REFLECTING WITH HUMILITY - 03/31/22 (Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent)

John 5:33-34,39-40,46

33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony which I receive is from man; but I say this that you may be saved.

39 You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to Me; 40 yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have life.

46 If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote of Me.

For the full readings, click here: 

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

Blessed Thursday! The Pharisees were always always reading the Scriptures. However, even though they were always looking at it, they still did not believe in Jesus. Our Lord tells us that people who believe in Scriptures will believe in Him. Why did the Pharisees still reject Him despite the fact that they were experts in the Scriptures? It's because they did not reflect on the Word of God with humility. 

Pride blinded the Pharisees of the truth about Jesus, that He's God and the source of eternal life. They were more concerned of praying and reading the Scriptures to seek praises from other people. They had forgotten that the purpose of reflecting on the Word of God is to please Him and seek solely the approval of God, not of other people. It's unfortunate that today, many people hear the Scriptures proclaimed in the Masses and pray, but it seems that others are still not faithful to Christ and His Church. Perhaps, we may forget that our purpose in life is to love God and make Him loved. Because of this, we may end up seeking the approval of other people who reject the teachings of our Lord.

Because the Pharisees were consumed by pride, they would rather justify their sins instead of repenting for them. As we remember, even some Pharisees came to St. John, but when they were corrected of their sins, their hearts remained hardened. If we have the desire to receive eternal life, we should listen to the voice of God with humility. Moses, St. John the Baptist and all the saints had this disposition in their hearts when they obeyed the will of God. When we reflect on God's Word and apply it in our lives, we should discern the resolutions we need to do in order to avoid sinning. 

At the same time, it is helpful for us to imitate the saints. The saints of the Catholic Church were exalted to heaven because of their humility. They were the examples we should follow to be more sensitive to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and deepen our spiritual life. As we reflect on their lives, If we have the willingness to be corrected of our faults, we will be open to the graces from our Lord that can transform the worst sinners into the greatest saints. 

Do we have the desire to be corrected of our sins when we read the Scriptures and the lives of the saints? Only a person with an open mind and open heart can see the truth about our Lord. May we invoke the mercy and graces from God to persevere in humility and obedience to Him. If our hearts are centered on Christ like the saints, God will direct us to His will and ways. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic