April 10, 2025

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Lectionary 254

John 8:51-59:

Meditation

The people who picked up stones to throw at him feared the implications of Jesus' assertion that he was more significant than Abraham. It threatened their identity as followers of Abraham. Their stones did not harm Jesus, but their fears harmed them.

As great as Abraham was, he was a limited human being, and as such, he experienced death. Jesus offered something timeless that could not be destroyed by death. Unfortunately, some people were so fearful they could not respond to his offer. In their fear, they became violent and took stones into their hands.

When the children of La Salette first saw the Beautiful Lady surrounded by a great light, they were afraid. Maximin considered striking her with his herder's staff: “If it does anything to us, I'll give it a good whack.” Mary understood that fright, however, and addressed it immediately: “Don't be afraid,” she said. The two children did us all a great favor when they decided to come near and let their fear dissolve. Their decision not to be controlled by their initial fear made it possible for us all to hear an invitation to relate to God without fear.

Reflection Questions

• Is it difficult to see the consequences of your fear?
• Are you afraid to learn from children?