Knowing Jesus – An Experience or Experiment ?

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJ
Cross – A Pathway to Glory 
Reflection Date: April 4, 2025 Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Daily Readings: Wisdom 2 : 1a,12 – 22; John 7: 1 – 2,10, 25 – 30

The first reading is a powerful meditation on the struggle between good and evil, the cost of relationships, and the hope of divine justice. It beckons us to live with integrity, extending goodness even to those who oppose us.

In today’s Gospel, we encounter a pivotal moment in Jesus’s ministry. His very identity is questioned, and tension mounts among the religious leaders. Yet, Jesus remains steadfast.

The passage from the Book of Wisdom begins with the voice of the wicked, who see life as fleeting and meaningless. They pour out their malice against the righteous, trying to test their patience and faith. Yet the righteous are portrayed as gentle and patient, even in the face of persecution. Of course, God’s justice will ultimately prevail over all such persistence. Does this not resonate profoundly with the very life and mission of Jesus? The cross is not the end but the pathway to glory.

Jesus’ identity is often misunderstood or rejected because people judge by human standards. The challenge is placed before us: to seek and find Jesus, who chose to live among the poor, the oppressed, and the abandoned. He had the ‘spiritual boldness’ to face opposition, even to the point of death. Do we have the courage to stand like Jesus when we are met with rejection and persecution?

Call to Action for Catholic Living: 

• Learn to recognize Jesus in your daily life—in the Scriptures, in the Eucharist, in the suffering people, in the migrants…                                                                                                        
• Be bold and strong in standing for truth and justice, as Jesus was, despite opposition.