Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the fifth week of Lent, March 26th, 2026

Delivered by Alice Budiman from the Parish of Salib Suci Cilincing in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Genesis 17: 3-9; Rs psalm 105: 4-5.6-7.8-9; John 8: 51-59.SEE AND REJOICE Our meditation today is entitled: See and Rejoice.Debate and slander on the identity of Jesus Christ continue. Today the highlightof this controvercy involves the figure of Abraham. The book of Genesispresents Abraham, known as the Father for a number of the great nations onearth, having two characteristics. Frist, the figure of Abraham described as a greatperson chosen by God to inhabit a territory unknown to him. He took control ofthe promised land all together with his descendants. He was blessed to havemany offsprings. The second characteristic of Abraham is a covenant betweenGod and him which must be safeguarded by his faith and obedience to God. Thisbasis of faith not only made him the father of faith for many people, but also indicatinghis purpose to be in a happy fellowship with God forever. This is the spiritualdimension of Abraham. The first characteristic describes the mortality dimensionof Abraham as a human, who experienced death in the world. While the secondcharacteristic describes Abraham as the chosen one of the Lord to experience aneverlasting life in heaven. These two dimensions of Abraham's profile areexplained in its fullness by Jesus to his opponents. He emphasized to them thatAbraham, who was a man of this world after his death, submitted himself to the orderof nature. To this point of understanding, the opponents were able tounderstand and believe on the mortal status of Abraham. Likewise, the prophetsand many other great personages, death is basically part of their mortality. Their eyes were completely blinded and their heartswere completely closed, so they could not arrive at the understanding thatJesus Christ is the answer of God's promise to Abraham and the prophecy of theprophets. Actually, Jesus was explaining that because Abraham had his spiritual dimension,he had seen Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Abraham saw and rejoiced becauseGod's promise to him was realized in Jesus Christ. It is this spiritual aspectthat cannot be grasped by the Pharisees and the scribes. Jesus is teaching us about the spiritual power that isa gift of God's Spirit to everyone who follows Him. With this gift, we are sosure, of our calling to be in this life and how we see the glory of God presentin ourselves, others, and the surrounding. The experience of God's glory is thebasis for us to rejoice and be always thankful. What strengthens this joy isthe spiritual aspect of everything in life, because in it God is truly present. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, our God, may we always be consciousand attentive to Your glory that is present in everything, especially in our families,society and the Church. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the name of the Father ...