From the responsorial psalm: “They forgot the God who had saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt, Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham, terrible things at the Red Sea. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 5:31-47, today’s readings)
“But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.”
The religious leaders Jesus addresses fail to recognize that he is the Messiah. The testimony he gives is not mere witness to himself but comes from the Father’s testimony about him. Sent by the Father to perform his works and accomplish his mission, Jesus sees their refusal to come to him in true faith and understanding and its consequences for eternal life. As Moses intercedes to God for the Israelites after they worship self-made idols, Jesus intercedes to the Father for the salvation of all through his passion, death, and resurrection. He speaks to everyone when he says of Moses, “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” Even now as he intercedes for us, Jesus calls us to deeper faith in him as the One sent by the Father to do his will. Glory to God in the highest!
God, I hear Jesus say he does not accept human testimony and praise. Help me come to you, Lord, to praise you by doing your will and to seek only the praise that comes from you. This is too much for me to do on my own. Give me the grace today to listen out for you and do what you ask me to do. I know I will find you when I move in peace. In calling to mind the Gloria, teach me more and more to have the love of you within me. “For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.