5th Week of Lent (B) : Friday 22nd March 2024

St Francis of Assisi is attributed to this maxim, “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” Indeed, a good example is more credible in preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ than merely the employing of words.

Jesus, in today’s Gospel, tells those who are against Him, to at least believe in the work that He does even when they refuse to believe in Him and His words. “If I am not doing My Father’s work, there is no need to believe Me; but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in Me, at least believe in the work I do.”(vv 37-38). He bids them to see for themselves the effect of His work – people are healed, demons are cast out, and the reign of God is upon them.

The people, especially those in authority who doubt Him, have closed their minds to Him and His words, despite seeing the good work He has done. They persecute Him as in the olden days, when their ancestors persecuted the prophets. Prophet Jeremiah, in the first reading, encounters such ill-treatment. He hears many disparaging him, even his friends. At the end of the passage, however, we are consoled to know that in spite of this maltreatment, there is hope in the Lord.

Dear Lord, grant us endurance to live out a good Christian life, especially in encountering ill-treatment.