Date: March 26, 2020 (Lent)
Bible Text: EX 32:7-14; JN 5:31-47 | Fr. Roniel Duenas
Series: Scripture Reflections
In His love, we are moved to love, care, and share.
“I do not accept human testimony…but I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf.” (Jn. 5:31-47)
How could the Lord say he could not count on the human testimony? The people’s fickle mindedness and “stiffnecked-ness” in the first reading would tell us why. Man is unreliable in his testimony taking Judas and Peter as an example, and the very people He chose for Himself—Israel. There’s always a shortcoming on the human part even with the devotedness and radical life of Saint John the Baptist.
If so, then what can testify for God perfectly. It seems implied here that it is only He Himself and His works. Scripture says: “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Nature speaks the wonders the Lord has done in a convincing fashion. And the testimony that is above anything else is accomplished by Jesus, who is sent by the Father. What is this work that fully reveals His Divinity? It is Love. Love as opposed to man’s betrayal, infidelity, apathy, and all forms of sin. Love that is so rich that it shares with and overflows to creation. Love that is so humble that it embraces humanity, and so kind that it redeems our wretchedness.
Jesus in today’s gospel warns the people: “The one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me.” Let our eyes then be fixed rather on the testimony of the Son and learn the greatness of his love. In His love, we are not condemned but forgiven. In His love, we are moved to love, care, and share.