A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (8:31-42)
Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham
and have never been enslaved to anyone.
How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in a household forever,
but a son always remains.
So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.
I know that you are descendants of Abraham.
But you are trying to kill me,
because my word has no room among you.
I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence;
then do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children,
you would be doing the works of Abraham.
But now you are trying to kill me,
a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;
Abraham did not do this.
You are doing the works of your father!”
So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication.
We have one Father, God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I came from God and am here;
I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
REFLECTION: The concept of freedom is often debated. As Christians, our greatest freedom must be to live freed from the bondage of sin, through faith in Jesus Christ. While the secular world emphasizes freedom, as one to pursue worldly desires. But they can lead us in the wrong path, and I am witness of such. Not only in my life, but in the hundreds of incarcerated youths and adults, who God put in my path to minister. Some were eventually freed and returned to society, but to others not so, they had life sentence or worst, death penalty.
But there is a greater freedom that can help one be freed, even behind the walls of a juvenile hall, jail or state or federal penitentiaries, and that is, freedom from sin, offered through God and His Son Jesus Christ — liberation from the bondage of sin and the power to live a life pleasing to God.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sends us a powerful message. Jesus explains that true freedom comes from being released from the bondage, the slavery of sin. Meaning, that those who continue to sin, are enslaved by their own actions — their own choices. The contrast that Jesus draws between being a slave, and being a son, implies a deeper spiritual truth, that only through the Son, Jesus Christ, can one find real freedom.
The sin nature within us, has been passed down to us through the generations, since Adam. Therefore, each of us was born a slave to sin, therefore we are not free. And worse than that, because of our sin, we are separated from God, causing a division between us and God. That’s why today’s Gospel passage tells us “A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains.”
This household represents the eternal dwelling place of God… heaven, where Jesus, the Son, will reside forever. This house is where peace, justice, hope, joy, and indescribable love exist, in perfect harmony forever and ever.
So, at this point, after hearing and understanding of our sinful nature, and no one escaping from that nature, one would be very easy to get discouraged. After all, because of our sin, we are slaves and can’t do anything on our own power, to make our way into the wonderful house of God. Easily said, no chance — no hope! But God… who is rich in mercy provided a way out for us. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to earth and humbled Himself to share in our humanity, lived a perfect life. And yet, He was crucified to pay the penalty of our sin, that we deserved. Then, He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death once and for all. And because of what Jesus did, God offers us freedom from sin and death. All we must do is repent of our sins, accept the free gift offered to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and follow after Jesus Christ.
ACTION FOR THE DAY: As we journey through the last week of Lent, and with Holy Week starting next Monday, it is not too late to examine our conscience, and challenge ourselves, by reflecting on how well of a job, have we done by remaining in His Word, and seeking the truth that sets us free, from the slavery of sin. Even if that truth has been uncomfortable or challenged our deeply held beliefs.
AUDIO REFLECTION:
