From the responsorial psalm: “May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. O God, let all the nations praise you!”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 12:44-50)
In perfect obedience to the Father, Jesus speaks the Father’s words and does as he commanded. “I did not speak on my own,” Jesus says, “but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life.” One with the Father, he is able to say: “Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day. . . .” To hear and respond to Jesus is to hear and respond to the just judge, God the Father. Jesus makes clear that he was sent to save, not condemn, but also that he will judge those who reject him and his teachings. As Jesus taught us, obedience and faith are not only life-giving here and now but ultimately lead us to eternal life with the Father.
Father in heaven, in my attempt to imitate Jesus, give me the grace needed to make up for what I would ultimately be unable to achieve. Help me trust in your mercy, Lord, in the one who came into the world as light. I believe in you now and choose not to remain in darkness; when I tend toward unbelief, guide me back into the light of your Son. When the time comes to act, when I have a choice before me, give me the opportunity today to know with faith what you command me to say and speak in that moment. Stay with me, Lord!