Daily Scripture, April 11, 2025
Scripture:
Jeremiah 20:10-13
John 10:31-42
Reflection:
“The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?’”
This was Jesus’ response to their charge of blasphemy against him, that he is making himself God. Christ pointed to his works as the basis for faith in him as the Son. “Even if you do not believe me,” Jesus told his opponents, “believe the works…”
Furthermore, Jesus continued, it is God who has consecrated him as God’s son. His mention of consecration revealed the relationship between Jesus and the Feast of Dedication, which the people were celebrating.
The “rededication” was an eight-day festival commemorating Jewish independence under Judas Maccabaeus from Roman rule and the consecration of the temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C.
As the incarnate word, echoing the prologue in John’s gospel, whose body is the “temple,” Jesus is the one consecrated by the Father.
Nevertheless, instead of pressing the claim that “I and the Father are one,” Jesus pointed to his works.
Actions speak louder than words, Jesus was telling them. Jesus urged his opponents to believe his works, which bear witness to who he is. But they remained blind in their stubbornness.
In the case of Jesus, however, his actions as well as his words should have revealed his true character to them. Why? Because the actions of Jesus clearly aligned with his words.
Together, they should build trust and demonstrate reliability in Jesus.
Even so, Jesus emphasized his works. Works are always more powerful than words.
Words may convince the mind but works move the will to action.
Jesus continues to do the work of the Father today in us, Christ’s mystical body, as we serve one another as we build up the Body of Christ.
We see the work of Christ revealed to us most powerfully in the Eucharist. There, in the breaking of the bread, Christ gives us the grace to make our works match what we profess to believe.
Deacon Manuel Valencia is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.
Scripture: Acts 20:17-27 John 17:1-11a Reflection: "Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ." John 17:3 » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 19: 1-8 John 16:29-33 Reflection: In today’s readings we are treated to a truly dramatic scene in the growth of the Church under the power of God’s Holy » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-16 Matthew 5:13-16 Reflection: All it takes is music to get my 2-year-old grandson dancing with abandon, swaying, swirling, putting his arms in the air, and moving » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 18:9-18 John 16:20-23 Reflection: Most of us are familiar with the Global Positioning System. What does a GPS device do for us? It gives us directions. "Take this » Continue Reading.
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: Zephaniah 3: 14-18 Luke 1: 39-56 Reflection: Today’s Gospel recalls the story of the Visitation – Mary visiting with Elizabeth. On that special » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1 John 16:12-15 Reflection: Did you ever spend hours preparing a speech about a topic you were really passionate about only to have it fall on deaf » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 16:22-34 John 16:5-11 Reflection: Promise and Hope and Tenderness Today’s Gospel, from Jesus’ Final Discourse to his disciples at the Last Supper, is filled » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 1 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21 Reflection: In Sunday’s second reading from 1 Peter (3:15-18), it says: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who » Continue Reading.
Feast of the Ascension of the Lord Scripture: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 4:1-13 Matthew 28:16-20 Reflection: "When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and » Continue Reading.
Memorial Day in the USA Scripture: Acts 16:11-15 John 15:26-16:4a Reflection: At the start of every family car trip, my mother and father would intone, "Remember, O most gracious Virgin » Continue Reading.