22 March 2024 – Friday, 5th Week of Lent (Year B)

by Fr Fabian Dicom

As we approach the Holy Week, at the threshold of it, we are reminded in today’s Gospel reading of the growing hostility Jesus faced. 

Now his opponents even went as far as picking up stones to harm him. And in the days of Jesus, stoning was a terrible thing to do. Jesus, confused by their animosity, questioned them, asking: “Which of the good deeds they were stoning him for? Tell me.”

Now violence, as we sadly know, can often be senseless or rather it is senseless and irrational. Now despite Jesus’ many acts of kindness, miracles, always concerned about people, but he was eventually arrested and sentenced to death. Now keep that scene in mind.

Then we have Jeremiah in the First Reading. He too experienced the similar kind of opposition for faithfully proclaiming Jesus’ words. But there is a contrast. There is a contrast in his response and Jesus’ response. So unlike Jeremiah’s human response of wishing vengeance upon his enemies (which would be probably the normal thing to do) but Jesus responded with deep love.

I can tell you this: even if you come to church every day, even if I have been a priest for long enough, we find this hard to comprehend. If you tell me I understand it fully, I would be very happy. But this kind of love, this kind of love is just beyond us. But yet we are called to that kind of love. And he shows it.

What a contrast! He not only washed the feet of his betrayer, Judas, but also prayed for those who crucified him, asking for their forgiveness.

Amazing!

I used the word just now, Jeremiah’s human response. It is also Jesus’ human response. And we human beings can do that. Of course only with him. So in Jesus’ passion and death, we witness God’s unconditional love for humanity. 

Again, it is a love unlike any other. Constant. Constant, constant even in the face of hostility and rejection. And this is why we call the day of Jesus’ crucifixion Good Friday. And why this story, his story is at the heart of the Gospel. It is the Good News for all of us, ironically. Such a violent act of the day, on Friday, becomes the Good News for us. And we need to figure this out in the next few days. And for the rest of our lives.

So as we journey through the Holy Week, let us reflect on this love that knows no limits. Let us strive to follow Jesus’ example by showing love, even to those who may oppose us or hurt us. And let us remember that in the midst of darkness, in the midst of all the darkness, God’s love shines the brightest, offering hope, offering redemption to all who seek it.

Click below to listen to homily and watch video:-

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