Homily for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent
Theme: Kill the Messenger?
By: Deacon Bill Frere
Homily for Saturday April 8 2022
Gospel – John 8:51-59
Let’s face it, nobody likes to hear bad news; nobody likes to hear the honest truth. We’d rather stop up our ears and pretend we aren’t listening rather than accept the news that maybe, just maybe, we aren’t as perfect as we think or that our beliefs are not in line with the truth! We either blind ourselves to the truth or we lash out at the person speaking the truth.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to debate with the Pharisees. And He says in very plain language, I AM the Son of God. And the Jews’ reaction? Kill the messenger! They pick up stones to throw at Him. They refuse to accept the truth; they refuse to allow the possibility that their beliefs could be in error.
At times in our lives, we all need a bit of humility. We all need a good dose of loving honesty from a friend. At times, we all stray from the path and need some gentle correction to get back on track. So please be open to the course correction and please don’t kill the messenger!
Deacon Bill Frere