GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN US - 03/22/23 (Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent)

John 5:25–26

“Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.” 

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032223.cfm

Blessed Wednesday! The Jews became angry with Jesus and wanted to kill Him even  more when our Lord told the Jews, "My Father is at work until now, so I am at work." It's because Jesus was making a claim that He's equal with the Father, and that He's God.  The mystery of the Trinity is truly beyond our understanding, and it takes a genuine faith and trust to believe that there is One God in Three Distinct Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And yet, because of the sins of the Jews, instead of believing in Jesus and worshipping Him, they planned to kill their God. We are all created in the image and likeness of God. As such, we have the natural desire to seek God and love Him. However, because of our fallen human nature which we inherit from Adam and Eve, this means that this image of God within us becomes tainted and distorted. Instead of loving Jesus, because of our sins, we offended Him and caused pain to His Most Sacred Heart. As He was dying on the Cross, His Heart was wounded even more than the physical wounds on the Cross due to our sins and forgetfulness of God. Instead of hoping for eternal life, some people may place their hopes on worldly riches and success in such a way that they no longer care whether they are obeying the commandments of God or not. 

But, the mercy of God never fails us. Despite forgetting God, He has never forgotten us. In the gospel reading for today, we can read how the Father loves the Son. When we read this passage, we should remember that we are also the children of God. We should remember the truth that God loves us before we can even love Him. As such, the Father has not forgotten us in such a way that the Father loves us just as much as He loves the Son, Jesus Christ, because we are the children of the Father, and we are part of the mystical body of Christ through the Holy Spirit. God loves us in such a way that He invites us to His glory, to His eternal life and to the glorious resurrection. Just like Jesus, we should persevere in doing the will of God. But, how can we know His will? We should listen to the teachings and guidance of the Catholic Church because this will give us certainty that we are listening to Christ. Below this reflection, there is an article that gives a summary and defense of the teachings of the Catholic Church. We should also reflect on the Word of God daily and apply them in our lives. And, if we recognize that we are living in the state of darkness committing grave sins, may we not fall to despair, but let's remember that God calls us to the sacrament of confession. God has not forgotten us, and may we never forget the mercy of God by turning to Jesus and believing in Him. 

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

Fasting and Abstinence during Lent:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/56337/fasting-and-abstinence-during-lent

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth