Thursday of the 5th week of Lent
Genesis 17:3-9
John 8:51-59
Abraham was a man of faith and prayer. He believed and trusted in his relationship with God. Whether his path was rough with troubles or smooth with mercies all he needed to do was just to follow.He bore everything with patience and prevailed at the end because he believed and trusted in God.
Joseph, the husband of Mary was also a man of faith and prayer. He was told in a dream by an angel. To take the child and the mother and go to Egypt because of the threat of Herod. Whether the journey would be long or short, quick or slow, smooth or difficult, or whether the goal is seen or not seen through human sight, he obeyed promptly and trusted in the Lord.
Through Abraham down to Joseph all the families of the earth are blessed. Christ come to earth as mankind’s redeemer by saving His people from their sins through his most precious blood. He will save those who obey him: that is, Abraham’s physical descendants (the Jews) who believes in him at the end of the great tribulation and also Abraham’s spiritual descendants (the Church) during this post-cross dispensation of grace.
In today’s gospel, Christ made claims to his glory before Abraham; a glory before the creation of the world, at this, they wanted to stone him. Christ was persecuted for us.. so that we might receive the blessings of God and that of Abraham our father in faith – and it is all by grace through faith in Him. He was made an outcast so that we can be brought into God’s kingdom. By His wounds, we are healed.
As Christians, we will surely have trials but we can go through them through patience, trust, and obedience to God. Remember, patience is a handmade and daughter of faith and hope, your trust is a guarantee of his love and your obedience is a path to your peace and salvation.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the head of your elect, the source of life and holiness . Let me see and hear your message and not run from it. Give me the courage to follow You, to be willing to leave it all and follow You, to take up my cross, not my brother or sister’s cross, but my cross first, and carry it, being willing like You, to give my all, in the firm belief that I will share in the new life You promise. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho