Today is April 4, Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent.
At today’s Mass, we hear: “So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come” (Jn 7:30).
The Lent Gospels are beginning to get a little more intense. For the last few days, we have been hearing Jesus give an account for himself. In this account, we hear that Jesus is one with the Father, that Jesus reveals the Father to them and that the Jews would believe if the word of God was in them. The response from the Jews is a threat to kill Jesus.
We can face similar situations, whether literally or spiritually. Sometimes, living out our faith in Jesus Christ makes us stand out. It can cause uncomfortable situations with family or friends. They probably do not want to crucify us, but they might distance themselves from us or attack what we know to be true.
Pursuing holiness
Spiritually, as we conquer sin within ourselves with the power of Jesus Christ, we often feel like we are dying. We die to the person that we were so that we might be made new in Jesus Christ. Our weakness and doubts attack us as we pursue holiness of mind and body as children of God.
In either case, whether we experience chaos among those around us or within ourselves, we often wonder who is in charge. When it seems like our fate is in the hands of others or at the mercy of our sins, we need only look at today’s Gospel: however angry Jesus’s enemies were, they could not touch him. Why? Because God is in control. The time had not yet come.
Stand tall and do not be afraid. Living an authentic Christian life in pursuit of salvation is not easy. We are bound to cause a reaction from those around us and within our own hearts. Stay the course and know: God is in control and will not fail you.
Let us pray,
O God, who have prepared fitting helps for us in our weakness, grant, we pray, that we may receive their healing effects with joy and reflect them in a holy way of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
