The Gospel Proclamation “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying ‘You will be made free?” ... “Very truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household, the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham, yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father. ....
Prayerful Awareness God is a Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Today ,our attention is drawn to God the Father. Jesus says “... for I came from God”, “I did not come on my own, but He sent me.” (vs. 42) We have heard that, “God (the Father) so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son ..” Jesus, is the Word of God (the Father) , transformed into flesh and blood, in order to be visible to mankind. St. Paul says that Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. It is also expressed in verse 31 that Jesus reveals the Word of God (the Father) to us, in a language that we are able to comprehend and that this Word, is the truth, so that those who believe in the Word of God (the Father) that Jesus reveals, are set free. “Set free” implies that man is inherently a slave (to sin). For Jesus says, “... I say to you, everyone who commits a sin, is a slave of sin.” (vs. 24) And, God the Father, who loved us so much sent His only Son - His Word transformed into flesh and blood, into our midst, in order to relieve us from the bondage to sin, to set us free.
My sonship Yes, I am prone to sin. The world I live in, is also sinful. How can I be “holy as my heavenly Father is holy” without the helping hand extended by Jesus? During this season of Easter, especially on Good Friday, let me focus on God the Father, who saw my helplessness and sent His own beloved Son, to set me free. Let Jesus be only a stepping stone, to God the Father.
Prayer Starter Our Father in heaven, holy be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven ...
