3/15/2024 (Friday) Today’s gospel reading: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

1 Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him.
2 But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.
10 But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.
25 Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill?
26 And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?
27 But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”
28 So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.
29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
30 So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

3/15/2024 (Friday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

In the gospel passage above, we are presented with deep insights and inspiration from the decisions and actions of Jesus. As he moves quietly among the people during the Feast of Booths, despite knowing the dangers that awaited Him in Judea, His actions and words speak volumes about courage, purpose, and divine timing.

Jesus’s decision to go to Judea, even when His life was at risk, shows us the importance of following our divine path with courage. He teaches us that fear should not deter us from our mission, especially when guided by a higher purpose. His journey was not reckless but a testament to His unwavering faith in God’s plan. It encourages us to face our fears with faith, knowing that we are never alone, and that there is a time for everything under the heavens.

Moreover, the conversations that Jesus has with the crowd reveal His wisdom and the depth of His teachings. He speaks of His origin and mission, emphasizing that His authority comes not from earthly powers but from the One who sent Him. This dialogue invites us to consider our own understanding of authority, purpose, and identity. It challenges us to seek a deeper connection with the divine, to look beyond the superficial and to find the true essence of our being and our calling.

Lastly, Jesus’s ability to speak openly and yet not be seized before His time highlights the concept of divine timing. It reminds us that there is a season for every activity under the heavens, and that patience and trust in God’s timing are crucial. We are reminded that our plans are not always God’s plans, and that sometimes, waiting is an act of faith and courage.

Let us take inspiration from Jesus’s example to live courageously, to seek a deeper purpose, and to trust in the divine timing for our lives. May we be brave in the face of adversity, wise in our understanding, and patient in our journey.

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You can also check out the video reflection below.