Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the fifth week of Lent, April 10, 2025

Delivered by Stella Wijaya from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makasar, Indonesia. Genesis 17: 3-9; Rs psalm 105: 4-5.6-7.8-9; John 8: 51-59SEEING AND REJOICING Our meditation today is entitled: Seeing and Rejoicing.The debate and slander about the identity of Jesus Christ continues. Today theemphasis is on the figure of Abraham. The Book of Genesis shows Abraham, who isinterpreted as the Father of the great nations on this earth, as to have twocharacteristics. The figure of Abraham is described as the one chosen by God toinhabit a land foreign to him, which was  then followed by all his descendants. He isblessed to have a large number of offspring.  Another characteristic of Abraham is the covenant madebetween God and himself which was to be sustained by faith and obedience toGod. This foundation of faith not only made him the father of faith for allnations, but also signified his purpose to have a happy communion with Godforever. This is the profile of a spiritual Abraham. The first characteristicdescribes his mortal side as a human being who experiences death in the world.While the second characteristic describes him as the one chosen by God toexperience eternal life in heaven. These two sides of Abraham's profile were fullyexplained by Jesus to his opponents. He affirmed to them that Abraham, who wasa man of this world after he was old enough to die, submitted to this call ofnature. Up to the limit of understanding at his point, the opponents were ableto understand and believe in the mortal Abraham. Likewise with the prophets,death was essentially part of their mortality.  Their eyes are completely obscured and their heartsare completely closed, so that they could not grasp that Jesus Christ is thereality of God's promise to Abraham and the prophecies of the prophets.Actually, Jesus was explaining that because Abraham had a spiritual aspect, hehad seen Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Abraham saw and rejoiced that God'spromise to him was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It was this spiritual aspect thatthe Pharisees and scribes could not grasp. Jesus is teaching us about the spiritual power that isthe gift of God's Spirit to everyone who follows Him. With this gift, we areassured to enjoy this life through how we see the glory of God present inourselves, others, and the surrounding environment. The experience of God'sglory is the basis for us to rejoice and give thanks to God. What strengthensthis joy is the spiritual aspect of everything in this life, because God isreally present in everything in our life on this world.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O most gracious God,may we always be eager to see Your glory which is present in all things,especially in our lives as individuals and community of believers. Hail Mary fullof grace ... In the name of the Father ...