Catholic homily for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent
Theme: THE TESTIMONY OF THE WORKS OF GOD……”If I bore witness to myself, my testimony would be worthless”
By: Fr. Miquel MASATS i Roca
Homily for Thursday March 18 2021
Today, the Gospel teaches us how Jesus faces the following objection: as Deut 19:15, says, «one witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses». Jesus plaids in his favour John the Baptist’s testimony, the Father’s testimony —manifest through the works He did— and, finally, the testimony of the Scriptures.
Jesus Christ reproaches those who listen to him three impediments they have, to accept him as the Son of God’s Messiah: the lack of love of God; the lack of honest intentions —they only seek the human glory— and, their having their own interests at heart when interpreting the Scriptures.
Our Holy father Pope John Paul II wrote: «You can get to the contemplation of Christ’s face only by listening, in the Spirit, to the Father’s voice, for no one knows the Son except the Father (cf. Mt 11:27). It is, therefore, needed the revelation from the Almighty. But, to receive it, it is indispensable to place oneself in a listening attitude».
This is why we have to bear in mind that, to declare Jesus Christ as the true Son of God, the proposed external evidence is not enough; will’s rectitude is very important, that is, a good moral disposition.
In this time of Lent, by increasing the deeds of penance that facilitate our interior renovation, we shall improve our disposition to contemplate Christ’s true face. This is why, Saint Josemaría, says: «That Christ you see, is not Jesus. —It will be, in any case, the sad image your blurred eyes may form… —Purify yourself. Clarify your look with humility and penance. Afterwards… you won’t be lacking the clear lights of Love. And you will have a perfect vision. Your image will really be: Him!».
Fr. Miquel MASATS i Roca
(Girona, Spain)