Gospel Reading: Jn 8:31-42
Jesus answered and said to Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.
The main issue in the Gospel is what true freedom is. The Jews who accept Jesus still adhere to their belief that freedom is based on being descendants of Abraham. Jesus has to teach them a higher meaning of freedom, that is, freedom from slavery to sin. Jesus is a true son of Abraham because he does the works of Abraham, that is, he is a listener and doer of God’s word. Abraham is an epitome of obedience: when God calls him, he responds without any word of complaint (cf Gn 12:4; 22:1-3).
If we listen to Jesus’ instruction, we will know the truth. Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life (cf Jn 14:6).
He has come to show us the way to the Father, also Abraham’s father. To all who receive him, who believe in his name, he gives power to become children of God (1:12).
Jesus has come to free us from the slavery of sin through his passion, death, and resurrection. A life lived according to Jesus’ teaching will set us free from the slavery to sin.
Are you convinced that the truth will set you free?
Name some of your habits that need to be realigned to the truth.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.