Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 10: 31-42
Stones, Works, and Faith

In today’s Gospel, Jesus once again faces hostility. His words provoke such anger that his opponents pick up stones, ready to kill Him. Why? Because Jesus challenged their understanding of God, inviting them to go deeper into the mystery of who God is. Instead of embracing the truth, they clung to their fears and chose violence.

How often do we do the same? In today’s world, the stones we throw may not be literal, but our words, opinions, and harsh judgments can wound deeply. Social media has become a battleground where people freely cast stones without knowing the hearts or lives they harm. Jesus calls us to a different way—a way of mercy, dialogue, and understanding.

He also reminds us that we are called to live a divine life. “You are gods,” Jesus quotes from Scripture, not to deny God’s transcendence but to remind us that we are made in His image and called to reflect His holiness. We carry a spark of the divine in us. Lent is a time to nourish this divine presence through prayer, silence, and works of charity.

Jesus points to His works as testimony to who He is. His actions reveal the Father’s love. Likewise, our actions—not just our words—must reveal who we are as disciples. Faith isn’t a label we wear; it’s a life we live. Others will know we belong to Christ by how we act.

As we approach Holy Week, may we entrust ourselves to Mary, who stood faithfully by the Cross. When life feels broken, and hope seems distant, she reminds us that God’s promise endures. Even as Jesus’ enemies tried to silence him, his love triumphed. So too, our faithfulness will bear fruit if we remain in Him.

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Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025