Gospel Reading of the Day
From the holy Gospel according to
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| JESUS AND NICODEMUS. Image from communityofhopeinc.org |
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So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." So the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed." Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." [45 - 52]
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The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
Personal Reflection on the Reading
Sharing for the Day
"Never before has anyone spoken like this man."
There are people who are able to inspire, move and entice others because of their eloquence in speaking. There are those who with their forceful speaking, selection and use of words and with corresponding actuation could sway people to make decisions, whether to support or oppose an issue.
However, the Lord Jesus Christ didn't only have eloquence, He also have authority [see Matthew 7:29]. And His authority did not depend on human institutions or earthly influence alone. His authority came from the Source of all authorities which He made clear to Pilate, "You wouldn't have authority over me if it has never been given from above" [John 19:11]. Even if Pilate understood Jesus talking of his authority emanating from the Emperor, it was still under the authority that is above all and which Jesus ultimately speaks about: God's. Because of this authority, He could even drive demons away.
Moreover, Jesus' words had authority because He had integrity, He did what He spoke about. Unlike the Pharisees and the elders who Jesus observed as being inconsistent for they would burden the people with things to follow or comply with but they themselves won't lift a finger to carry these loads [see Luke 11: 46]. With Jesus our Lord, for example, we do know that when He said that the greatest love someone could do for a friend is to offer his life for the sake of his friend, He did offer His life on the cross for us because He considered us as His friends, and God even made us His children through this same Lord!
We too must also have integrity: our actions and words must be consistent with each other. But we must not aim for integrity just for the sake of being appreciated by others and to earn their respect. We must have integrity because that's what being a Christian is for Christ our Lord to whom we should conform our whole being is Integrity Himself! Let us reserve the desire to hear the words, "Never before has anyone spoken like you!" when we are already in the Father's kingdom.
As we move closer to the end of our journey, let us meditate on the importance of integrity in the life of a Christian. For one cannot be a Christian unless he or she has integrity!
Application of the Message
[1] Prayer
Pray for the grace of integrity so that your word and action may conform to each other: both expressive of being a Christian.
[2] Abstinence
Abstain from something that makes you say this but do that.
[3] Almsgiving
What can you share today so that you may inspire someone to have integrity?
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