Homily for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent Year A
Theme: True testimonies!
By: Friar Fidelis A. Pabor
Homily for Thursday March 26 2020
Ex 32:7-14;
Ps 105:19-23. (R. v.4);
Jn 5:31-47.
We remember the popular saying, Vox populi Vox Dei meaning that the voice of people is the voice of God. And it is normally very hard for one to make any person see a loophole in this saying.
In today’s gospel however, Jesus tells us, “I do not accept glory from human beings.” Although He knew that John correctly testified to the truth yet He only made reference to that just for the salvation of the people.
Quite contrary to what we see today Jesus goes on,
But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf (Jn 5:36-37a).
The prophet Jeremiah warns “Let everyone beware of his neighbour, and put no trust in any brother; for every brother is a supplanter, and every neighbour goes about as a slanderer” (Jer 9:4; cf. Mic 7:5). In the gospel we read, “When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people” (Jn 2:23-24).
We must remember that “the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, indeed it cannot” (Rom 8:7). God “is a sun and shield; he bestows favour and honour. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps 84:11; cf. Ps 62:7). God and what we do are the true testimonies. So let us trust in God and do our work. We must “seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?”
Bible Reading: Pss 84; 146.
Thought for today: Trust in the Lord and do His works.
Let us pray: Lord, give us a heart that can trust you entirely – Amen.