Genesis 17:3-9,
Psalm 105:4-5.6-7.8-9,
John 8:51-59 Full Readings
Whoever keeps my word will never see death.
Brethren today's readings point us to the Graces involved in heeding to the word of God, to the word that Jesus brings to us.
In the first Reading, Abraham was made the father of a multitude of nations because he heed to the word of God and followed whatever was instructed to him by God. However, he didn't not only heed to God's word but also had unwavering faith in God and that's why we even call him the father of faith. Thus, from Abraham, we see that whoever keeps the word of God and believes in him, will never taste death and will reign forever with Him.
When we heed to God's word many things in us change even our way of life, and vocation. For instance, we see many changes of names in the Bible, Why? These names were changed according to one's call which he has been called. Today we see Abram changed to Abraham. Abram which means exalted father was changed to Abraham which means father or protector of many nations or a large family because he was made the father of all nations and father of faith. This shows us the significance of a name. Therefore brethren as we name our children, as we nickname our spouses, what name do we give them, what is the meaning of the name, is it in itself evangelising the word of God? Most times the person follows the meaning of his name. So let us be careful in naming our children. Most of the times you find one doesn't know the meaning of his name, try by all means, to know the meaning for it has a big role to play in your life as a Christian. Remember the mission of Jesus was in his name, Jesus means Saviour of people from the sins(Mt 1:21) and that's what Jesus did. Therefore whoever listened to Jesus and followed his word was saved by his name.
The Gospel also brings the same message of heeding to the word of God, with a promise that such a person will never see death. When Jesus says this, what does he mean by death. St Augustine can clearly teach us like this: "It means nothing less than he saw another death from which he came to free us - the second death, eternal death, the death of hell, the death of the damned, which is shared with the devil and his angels! This is the real death; the other kind of death is only a passage" (Tractates on the Gospel of John 43.10-11).
It's clear therefore that Jesus meant the eternal death, death of eternal fire where Satan lives, the normal death is just a passage but the Jews could not understand him. Jesus teaches us therefore that if we need eternal life, we must keep his word, uphold the commandments and we will have life everlasting. This is quite clear Even in the teachings of the church, listen to the word of God, follow it, practice it in order to gain eternal happiness. This is done through our daily life by living God and our neighbours as we live ourselves and as Jesus has loved us.
As we continue to reflect in this Lenten period we see the message of readings this week giving us one of the accusations which was laid upon Jesus for his crucifixion, that is calling himself son of God and his pre-existence. Today we see the Jews calling him mad, because of what he was saying, Even seeing Abraham at his age, then saying before Abraham was, he was. All these sounded rubbish in front of the Jews since they had sent him growing and knew his father, that's why they wanted to stone him. However, it was the only truth they could not understand because from the beginning he was with God (John 1:1) and Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8) and thus is very important for our Christian faith.
Jesus knew what they would do to him but he kept witnessing to his father and fulfilled the mission his father had sent him for, reflect today, how have you been able to fulfill and persevere in your mission in the world despite the difficulties, threats and challenges In this world.
Let us pray that we may be able to heed to God’s word, follow it and practice it in our daily life for the eternal happiness to come. We continue to pray for ourselves and for the healing of the whole world especially in this pandemic situation. May God be with us as we place our trust in him. Amen
Blessed Lenten period.
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