Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 7, 1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee;
he did not wish to travel in Judea,
because the Jews were trying to kill him.
But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.

But when his brothers had gone up to the feast,
he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said,
“Is he not the one they are trying to kill?
And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him.
Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?
But we know where he is from.
When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”
So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said,
“You know me and also know where I am from.
Yet I did not come on my own,
but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.
I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
So they tried to arrest him,
but no one laid a hand upon him,
because his hour had not yet come.

Jesus is pursued

1) Feast. Today’s gospel tells us they had gone up to the feast. Look how Jesus abides by the law and respects the feast. This should help us to value and cherish our festivities, like being in mass each Sunday to profess our faith. So, let’s live Lent as it should be, with the purpose of leading us to a plentiful life, not a vacation or a holiday. Prepare your life with God and make this a festivity.

2) To kill. In our daily life, people may be after us not to ‘kill’ us but they might set up all sorts of obstacles because they do not like us, or they might slander us. But this should not stop you from living and you should not be discouraged. You have a mission, and you must fulfil it. You have a purpose in life, and you must accomplish it. Do not let these people cloud your judgement; continue forward just as Jesus did.

3) When He comes. Prepare your heart during Lent. Prepare your life because we must change and be transformed. If you want change to happen around you, you must change first.

God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And remember, Heaven is our goal.