March 21, 2026 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
In today’s Liturgy of the Word, the Gospel passage from Saint John presents us with a scene where the crowd debates because of the words spoken by Jesus.
We often interpret the events around us according to the general patterns of things. Just as those Jews who lived with Jesus, when they heard Him say, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says: ‘From within him there shall flow rivers of living water,’” (Jn 7:37b-38), they judged Jesus arbitrarily based on their own understanding of His words, and this judgment caused division among them (cf. Jn 7:41-44). This was because they followed the impulses of the flesh rather than being guided by the Holy Spirit.
Our understanding of God’s will can sometimes be like that of the Jews, the chief priests, and the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. In their view, since God is merciful and almighty, He would surely deliver His servants from all suffering. Therefore, when God did not bless His servants as they had hoped, they concluded that those who preached the Gospel of the Kingdom were of evil intent, and thus they refused to listen to their proclamation (cf. Jn 7:45-49). They even refused to hear the noble testimony given by those who worshiped the Father in spirit and truth, and who bore witness to the truth they believed in (cf. Jn 7:50-53). As we draw closer to Holy Week, let us change our past perceptions of Jesus and the Kingdom of God He proclaimed. Instead of seeing God as people of this changing world do, let us understand Him correctly under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and live out the Word of God worthily.
May the working of your mercy, O Lord, we pray, direct our hearts aright, for without your grace we cannot find favor in your sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
兄弟姐妹們:弟兄姊妹們,這種情況在基督徒團體中也可能發生。當自我淩駕於團體之上,導致個人主義盛行,阻礙了真誠而友愛的關係時,就會發生這種情況。當有人像法利塞人評判稅吏那樣,自認為比他人優越,從而造成分裂,使團體變成一個充滿評判和排斥的地方時,也會發生這種情況;還有當有人利用自己的職位來行使權力,而非服務他人時,同樣會發生這種情況。然而,我們應當把注意力集中在稅吏身上。我們也必須像他那樣謙遜,在教會內認識到,我們都需要天主,也需要彼此。這促使我們踐行相互的愛,彼此傾聽,樂於並肩同行。我們深知,基督屬於謙遜的人,而不屬於那些將自己淩駕於羊群之上的人。(參看:羅馬的聖格肋孟(Saint Clement of Rome),致格林多人書,約第16章)
兄弟姐妹们:弟兄姊妹们,这种情况在基督徒团体中也可能发生。当自我凌驾于团体之上,导致个人主义盛行,阻碍了真诚而友爱的关系时,就会发生这种情况。当有人像法利塞人评判税吏那样,自认为比他人优越,从而造成分裂,使团体变成一个充满评判和排斥的地方时,也会发生这种情况;还有当有人利用自己的职位来行使权力,而非服务他人时,同样会发生这种情况。然而,我们应当把注意力集中在税吏身上。我们也必须像他那样谦逊,在教会内认识到,我们都需要天主,也需要彼此。这促使我们践行相互的爱,彼此倾听,乐于并肩同行。我们深知,基督属于谦逊的人,而不属于那些将自己凌驾于羊群之上的人。(参看:罗马的圣格肋孟(Saint Clement of Rome),致格林多人书,约第16章)
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