15 March 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections
#OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist
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TOPIC: HOW COURAGEOUS ARE YOU IN EXPRESSING YOUR FAITH?
First Reading: Wisdom 2: 1a, 12-22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23
Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 4: 4b
Gospel: John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus did not go to Judea because He knew the Jews were plotting to kill Him there. Nevertheless, He ended up going despite the threat on His life. He went incognito at first, but not for long. The reading clearly suggests that Jesus did not allow the hostility of some people towards Him to deter Him from doing what He had been sent to do.
Why then did He still proceed? His obedience was the driving force that allowed Him to fulfill the Father’s will which was infinitely more important to Him than potential persecution by His haters. He foresaw the cross, but He was secure in the knowledge of His Father’s love for Him, and this love led Him to love in return and to proclaim the Good News to all in Israel.
The Lord teaches us to be faithful to our own calling, regardless of the environment in which we find ourselves. The environment in which we live is not all that supportive of a life of faith. However, Jesus modelled the obedience, faithfulness and persistence for us to follow, that we may consistently live out our baptism the best we can, and to powerfully witness to the Gospel even when it is difficult to do so.
This is the 1418th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.
[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Jess Ferrer, Head of the CFC Migrants Program, as he brings us today's reflection.
All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder
