Faith Daily | 8 April 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p 490

We thank you, heavenly Father,

that you have delivered us from the power of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:

we pray that

as by his death he has recalled us to life,

so by his presence abiding in us he may raise us

to joys eternal;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: John 10: 31-42

31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32Jesus replied, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?’ 33The Jews answered, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.’ 34Jesus answered, ‘Is it not written in your law,* “I said, you are gods”? 35If those to whom the word of God came were called “gods”—and the scripture cannot be annulled— 36can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, “I am God’s Son”? 37If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 38But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand* that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ 39Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41Many came to him, and they were saying, ‘John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ 42And many believed in him there.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Ian McCarthy

We are all aware that there is a difference between listening and understanding as an active human action. Indeed, listening carefully to what a person is interpreting as an activity is a valuable skill but can certainly be quite challenging for some people.

However, a person's spoken words may contain a far deeper meaning than is initially perceived. The real test is understanding the "true" intended meaning of the sender's words. I believe that there is a good example regarding communication within this scriptural text from John 10:31-42 whereby Jesus is impressing upon us the need to act upon His word and also most importantly endeavour to earnestly seek the deeper meaning behind His words.

Personally, I found these particular verses from John 10:31-42 to be somewhat challenging to understand. My interpretation is that perhaps Jesus is making reference to the purpose of our creation being fulfilled in time. Jesus reminds us in the answer He gives to the Jews here, where once again they accuse Him of blasphemy. This aspect includes the reference to when Jesus answered NRSV(.v.34) "Is it not written in your law". I said, You are gods? If those to whom the word of God came were called 'gods'.

Furthermore, Jesus 'words "And the scripture cannot be broken, "are possibly designed to warn us to seek a deeper meaning than lies on the surface of the words which He quotes.

Finally, in (v.40) we note that Jesus takes us away from the former controversial interaction with the Jews and this aspect is borne out in (v.40)when "He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising earlier and remained there." Maybe this was in order that He wants us to be alone with Him and listen to His voice and even know Him as a person being more meaningful than before.

In summary, perhaps the essential message that is being conveyed within this scripture from John 10:31-42 is reflected in our own prayer 'that we may also hear for ourselves what He says to us' and understand that this is indeed the Saviour of the world. Amen.

FINAL PRAYER: from "A Sense Of His Presence" by John Killinger.(The Work of God's Spirit")

Lord, it is exciting to think of your Spirit at work in the world where I live, making the new creation out of the old. I want to be part of the new creation. I want my family and friends to be part of it. Help me to submit my entire being to your Spirit, so that my life flows with your purpose and not against it. Through Jesus, who has shown us your Spirit . Amen