Daily Gospel Reflection for April 1, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 11:45-56

The Scribes and Pharisees knew Jesus, the son of a carpenter, was seen by many as sent from God. Many had been witnesses to His miracles and amongst themselves they would have discussed His Words, His actions, His impact on the Jewish people. So to quiet his conscience, Caiaphas says: “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.”

If it occurs today he may say, ‘Hey guys, I know this man is very holy, but we have to think about what will happen to us. The authorities will become mad and they will take away all we have.”

In the end, jealousy and fear of what was going to become of them overcame any sense of fidelity to God, let alone His Son.

Trying to hide the real reason for doing something, excusing actions we know to be wrong, is something most of us have chosen at some point in our lives. We do so because we don’t want to offend, we want harmony, or we don’t want to draw attention to ourselves. We may speak out against an action, but quickly pivot for the “good of all.”

We would like to think we would never turn on the Lord as these men did, but do we not find ways to quiet His voice in our lives? To excuse actions because we do not want to change? Or worse, we refuse to question actions we know to be against God’s law because we do not want to draw attention to ourselves, our faith.

As Catholic parents, we need to draw the distinction between God’s way and man’s way. Lent is the time to begin setting ourselves apart from man’s way, and closer to Him . . . to start listening to God’s voice always.

Ponder:

How often do I find myself excusing others' actions and beliefs because I do not want to be seen as having a different point of view as the crowd?

Pray:

Lord, give me strength to persevere in my faith even when it may cause me ridicule and scorn from others. Let me never turn away from Your voice, Your will for my life.

Click to tweet:
Trying to hide the real reason we do something is something most of us have chosen at some point. We find ways to quiet His voice. Lent is the time to begin truly listening to Him. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Carol Sbordon Bannon