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Gospel Reading for March 26, 2026 – John 8: 51-59
MORE DEEPLY
Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me,of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
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There was no way for the Jews to fully understand what Jesus was saying, for they often interpreted his words in a purely literal sense. To make matters more difficult, their practice of religion at the time had become more legalistic than spiritual. In this light, we cannot entirely blame them for their lack of understanding.
But for us Christians today, such an excuse no longer holds. With exegetes and theologians guided by the Holy Spirit, we are given the grace to understand MORE DEEPLY the meaning of Jesus’ words. Truly, we are greatly blessed! If, as adult Catholics, we still struggle to grasp the basic teachings of Jesus on love, perhaps it is because we have not made enough effort to truly listen to him and understand him.
Lord Jesus, we firmly believe that you are the Son of God!
