Gospel: April 11, 2026
April 11, 2025 (Friday)
5th Week of Lent
Psalter: Week 1 / (Violet)
Day of abstinence from meat (age 14 and up)
St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr
Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
1st Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
Gospel: John 10:31-42
The Jews then picked up stones to throw at him; so Jesus said, “I have openly done many good works among you, which the Father gave me to do. For which of these do you stone me?” The Jews answered, “We are not stoning you for doing a good work, but for insulting God; you are only a man, and you make yourself God.” Then Jesus replied, “Is this not written in your law: I said, you are gods? So those who received this word of God were called gods, and the Scripture is always true. What then should be said of the one anointed, and sent into the world, by the Father? Am I insulting God when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you have no faith in me, believe because of the works I do; and know that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” Again they tried to arrest him, but Jesus escaped from their hands. He went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John had baptized, and there he stayed. Many people came to Jesus, and said, “John worked no miracles, but he spoke about you, and everything he said was true.” And many in that place became believers.
Reflection:
“Giving witness to Christ.”
Today we hear the response of the crowd to Christ’s words, “before Abraham was, I am.” They think it blasphemous: “you are only a man, and you make yourself God.” Like the prophets before him, they reject Jesus and turn on him. They will not listen and want to stone him. Jesus escapes and returns to the Jordan. There, many people do listen and believe in him, on account of the witness John the Baptist gave to Jesus being the Messiah. Here we see the importance of giving witness to Christ. Am I shy about my faith and declaring that I am a practicing Catholic? Do I avoid discussions about faith in case I receive criticism or rejection? Like Jesus, we will face ridicule, rejection or even opposition on the part of some people, but others will be glad to find a person of faith and they will probably ask you to pray for them. The path of the faithful Christian
mirrors Christ’s life, and so we will have our share of joys and crosses. But we are not to give up on our faith, but witness to it, knowing that the Lord, the mighty God is with us.
