April 4, 2014 Friday: 4th Week of Lent A

All of us have experienced days when we don't feel like doing a task at hand because it seems such a drudgery. We'd rather do a shortcut or just forget about it. But then we also know that it is important to finish the job and we feel good when we complete it.

Jesus had been going around Palestine preaching the Good News. There were people who believed in his message and followed him. There were also others who did not believe and felt threatened by his message because they thought it would end the status quo and their comfortable positions. Jesus hesitated going up to Jerusalem (in Judea) because of the threats on his life. But because of his love for and obedience to his Father and his strong commitment to his mission, he entered Jerusalem and continued with his preaching, knowing full well that he would invite strong opposition from the Jews and earn their ire.

In the Temple court of Jerusalem, the center of life in the city, Jesus boldly proclaimed, "I have not come of myself; I was sent by the One who is true, and you don't know him. I know him for I come from him and he sent me." Jesus' intimacy with the Father gave him the courage and steadfastness to carry on with his mission and fulfill his Father's will. In the same way, we need to build an intimate relationship with Jesus and follow him. If we know Christ, then we'll also know the Father. And just as Jesus was sent by the Father, so does Jesus send each one of us to continue his mission of bringing the Good News to everyone.

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