…even if you do not believe Me, believe the works.
John 37-38
Day Thirty Three of Lent: Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent – John 10
“If I do not perform My Father’s works, do not believe Me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father” –John 10-37-38.
Today’s Lenten Reflection
In an irony stretching back for millennia, an unbelieving world aches tremendously for belief. It is true today, and it was true in Jesus’ time as He faced the Jews preparing to stone Him. “Even if you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father,” He said. It doesn’t get much more clear than that.
Just like in Jesus’ time, our restless world grapples for an anchor – a truth bearer. The current dictatorship of relativism secretly cries out for absolute truth; not half-truths or parts of the truth – the fullness of absolute Truth; the conviction of a Creed. Every person alive innately desires Truth, certainty and hope.
More than two thousand years later, Jesus’ works still resonate with mankind in startling ways. Saints are still working supernatural miracles; faith continues to endure immense trials and mockery; sins are still being forgiven; followers of Truth are still able to love in the most challenging of situations. So the question becomes, are we offering our good works to a world desperate to believe? Are we ourselves bearing Christ’s light in the darkness? While the world may not be able to recognize His voice, they will be able to recognize His hands and feet working through us … “for just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” –Js 2:26.
Today’s Lenten Reflection
Jesus’ words are crucial for us to both understand and implement in our needy and lost world – “even if you do not believe Me, believe the works.” If someone was to overhear you telling someone else that you are Christian, does the way you live your life show that to be true? Does your works and attitude toward others display Christ? Can people tell whose you are by your actions alone? Jesus is posing to us the same message He posed two thousand-some years ago in a unique way. If much of society does not believe in your Christian beliefs, can they at least look at the works of your hands and have the hope to believe? The two – faith and works – should be in harmony in our lives for the two together will convert many souls for Christ.
Additional Reading for Today
Lenten Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for consecrating Jesus and sending Him to us. May we remain always united to Him so that the gift of our baptism might be unleashed, and we, too, may be sent to those most in need of Your good works. Open our hearts and increase our faith Lord, so that we are best able to reflect Your works and recognize Your hand working in our lives. It is in Your good and holy Name we pray, amen.
Today’s Suggested Penance
Reconnect with someone who was responsible for helping you grow in faith. Tell them how grateful you are for them. If the opportunity arises, share the knowledge of faith and Truth with someone willing to learn.
“Never see a need without trying to do something about it” -Saint Mary Mackillop.
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