Gospel: March 24, 2026
March 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
5th Week of Lent
Psalter: Week 1 (Violet)
Ps 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21
O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
1st Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Gospel: John 8:21-30
Again, Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and though you look for me, you will die in your sin. Where I am going
you cannot come.” The Jews wondered, “Why does he say that we can’t come where he is going? Will he kill himself?”
But Jesus said, “You are from below and I am from above; you are of this world and I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you shall die in your sins, unless you believe that I am He.”
They asked him, “Who are you?”; and Jesus said, “Just what I have told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the One who sent me is truthful and everything I learned from him, I proclaim to the world.”
They didn’t understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of myself, but I say just what the Father taught me. He who sent me is with me and has not left me alone; because I always do what pleases him.”
As Jesus spoke like this, many believed in him.
Reflection:
To genuinely embrace our identities.
In this passage, the theme of identity stands out as Jesus speaks about where He comes from, why He is here, and where He is going. He warns the people, “You shall die in your sins unless you believe I am He.” At the heart of this passage is the tension between knowledge and belief. The crowd struggles to understand Jesus, questioning who He is and what authority He possesses. This mirrors our lives, where we often wrestle with our identities and how others perceive us. Discovering our true selves and the paths we should take can be challenging in a world filled with noise and differing opinions.
Jesus’ statement reminds us that our identities are closely linked to our beliefs and actions. We can navigate life purposefully and confidently when we understand ourselves beyond societal expectations. This Gospel encourages us to genuinely embrace our identities, recognizing that self-awareness and belief in our value can lead to a more fulfilling life. In doing so, we gain clarity for ourselves and inspire others to discover their own truths.
