First reading Genesis 17:3-9
Abraham, the father of a multitude of nations
Abram bowed to the ground and God said this to him, ‘Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations. You shall no longer be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I make you father of a multitude of nations. I will make you most fruitful. I will make you into nations, and your issue shall be kings. I will establish my Covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, a Covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land you are living in, the whole land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity, and I will be your God.
‘You on your part shall maintain my Covenant, yourself and your descendants after you, generation after generation.’
Responsorial Psalm 104(105):4-9
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Consider the Lord and his strength;
constantly seek his face.
Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, the judgements he spoke.
O children of Abraham, his servant,
O sons of the Jacob he chose.
He, the Lord, is our God:
his judgements prevail in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant for ever,
his promise for a thousand generations,
the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
Gospel John 8:51-59
Your father Abraham saw my Day and was glad
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.’
The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered:
‘If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father,
by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”
although you do not know him.
But I know him,
and if I were to say: I do not know him,
I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced
to think that he would see my Day;
he saw it and was glad.’
The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
before Abraham ever was,
I Am.’
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
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Love, not hurt
Today’s gospel passage ends with, “At this they picked up stones to throw at him…” The Jewish leaders reach for stones to throw at Jesus because they are driven by an intense desire to silence Him permanently. Their hardened hearts, blinded by anger and disbelief, are unable to perceive His teachings and actions. They reject Him for who He is.
Reflecting on our own relationships, we must ask ourselves whether we, too, sometimes pick up “stones” to hurl at others in moments of hurt, jealousy, or hatred. While we may not physically throw stones, we often engage in hurtful actions that mirror this violent response. An unkind word, a careless rumour, a lingering resentment, these are all ways we might inflict pain on those around us. In doing so, we repeat the very actions of the Jews who want to stone Jesus. Jesus never picks up stones to cast at anyone. Instead, He offers love, forgiveness and understanding even to those who oppose Him. Let us seek to transform our hearts, asking Jesus to help us love as He loves.
Reflective question:
What specific action is Jesus asking me to take in my relationships to embody His love and compassion?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
