Gospel

John 8:21-20

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

"I am going away and you will look for me,

but you will die in your sin.

Where I am going you cannot come."

So the Jews said,

"He is not going to kill himself, is he,

because he said, 'Where I am going you cannot come'?"

He said to them, "You belong to what is below,

I belong to what is above.

You belong to this world,

but I do not belong to this world.

That is why I told you that you will die in your sins.

For if you do not believe that I AM,

you will die in your sins."

So they said to him, "Who are you?"

Jesus said to them, "What I told you from the beginning.

I have much to say about you in condemnation.

But the one who sent me is true,

and what I heard from him I tell the world."

They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father.

So Jesus said to them,

"When you lift up the Son of Man,

then you will realize that I AM,

and that I do nothing on my own,

but I say only what the Father taught me.

The one who sent me is with me.

He has not left me alone,

because I always do what is pleasing to him."

Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

Reflection

Jesus asked his listeners where they belong. And it’s a very important question for us. Where do we belong? The world above is a world of truth, beauty, love and forgiveness. The world below is filled with lies. Division. Discord. It's clear that Jesus is saying, that's a choice. One brings life. One brings death. So as Jesus is about to end his ministry, he's saying, Please, please choose me. Choose my message. Choose the life that was destined for you.

The Closing prayer

Father, awaken us. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear and a mouth to speak truth, love and hope. The world is longing for these gifts. Make us instruments to bring them to the people that we love that are close to us. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

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