The Catholic Calendar for Friday, March 31, 2006
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Wisdom 2:1, 12-22
Psalm 34:17-21, 23
John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"Could the authorities have realized that he is the Messiah?" (see John 7:27)

Both of today's Gospel readings illustrate the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious hierarchy. Several factors caused this alienation; among these was the growing number of people who wondered if He was indeed their awaited Messiah. This caused the most powerful religious officials to want to destroy anyone threatening their authority, questioning their strictly legalistic interpretation of the Law and suggesting to them that they had actually become blind to its true basis--God's love and truth.

Ironically, their Scripture prophesied the coming of a savior, a redeemer who would deliver them from sin and reunite them with their Creator God. Yet when Jesus preached the good news of God's love and offer of forgiveness and salvation and performed many miracles to substantiate His divine origin, the majority of officials remained steadfast in their unbelief. Had these religious professionals a deep and genuine faith, a true knowledge of God and deep concern for their people's salvation, they would have joyfully welcomed Jesus. The Bible tells us that there is only one unforgivable sin, that of unbelief.

Why is unbelief unforgivable? This attitude not only calls God a liar, but it also places an unbeliever outside the "divine loop," separated from God's redemptive, ever flowing stream of love and truth. Applying this to today's world situation, the prevailing "secular humanism" that has resulted in false religions and fanaticism has led mankind to worshiping itself instead of God, and thereby becoming imprisoned in its fallen, sinful state.

O Lord God, giver of peace and joy, hasten us toward Easter and a heartfelt acceptance of Christ's redemption and the grace of fully participating in His new life. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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