4-01-20      Midweek Meditations

The gospel readings for daily Mass this week reveal the growing tension between Jesus and those refusing to understand or accept who he is.  In today’s gospel from John 8:37, Jesus accuses them saying, “You are trying to kill me because my word has no room among you.”

‘My word has no room among you’ is a phrase that haunts me when I read it.  How easy for me to judge them for not allowing the word of God to find a place in their hearts.  Yet, the whole story of Jesus is replete with rejection by those who were supposedly religious; he is driven out of synagogues, scorned for dining with sinners, judged for healing on the sabbath, and finally mocked as he hangs on a cross.

All of which brings me back to that haunting line about finding room for God’s word.  It can’t just be knowledge of God’s word- even the devil knows scripture.  Have I made room in my heart and soul for Christ to truly dwell in such a way that my life is transformed by him to be a true disciple filled with genuine compassion, boundless mercy, and a servant-spirit?

Lord, help us always to make room for you in our lives.

Blessings,

Msgr. Bill Duncan