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)
Jesus said to the Jews: “I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?”
Some of the Jews confronted Jesus because they believed he profaned the sabbath and was making himself an equal to the Father. In responding to them, he identifies himself with the Father who testifies on his behalf in truth. In doing this, he calls out their lack of faith in him, as the Son of God and source of eternal life. “But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,” Jesus says, “and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.” Just as he invited them, Jesus invites us today to come to him in the love of God to have eternal life through him.
God, help me take in the depth and richness of today’s Gospel. Jesus asks questions just as relevant to me as they were to the people of his time who rejected him. What is seen is easier to accept than what is unseen. “How can you believe,” Jesus asks, “when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?” Lord, help me understand my motivations and bless me: How readily do I go to extremes to seek what pleases you alone? Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
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.