Meditation for Sunday 03/22/26
MEDITATION FOR PASSION SUNDAY
JESUS SPEAKS OF TRUE HONOR
“Which of you shall convince Me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe Me? He that is of God, heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God. The Jews therefore answered and said to Him: ‘Do not we say well that Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?’ Jesus answered: ‘I have not a devil: but I honor my Father and you have dishonored Me.’” (John 8, 46-50).
First Prelude: Behold Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem and reverently hear His sacred words addressed to the assembled Jews.
Second Prelude: O Jesus, give me the grace always to have Thy greater honor in view.
First Point
“I SEEK NOT MY HONOR”
The Jews called Jesus a Samaritan, one possessed by the devil, but Jesus of Whom St. Peter said: “Who when He was reviled, did not revile” (1, 2, 23), answered calmly: “I have not a devil, but I honor My Father, and you have dishonored Me. But I seek not My own glory; there is One that seeketh and judgeth” (John 8, 49-50). Must we not admire the humility of Jesus, which impelled Him to bear such an outrageous insult with invincible meekness? He answered solely because the honor of God was concerned! How different are often the sentiments and the words of those who call themselves His spouses! They have taken upon themselves the obligation to seek, not their own honor, but the glory of God; yet how often do their actions contradict their words. They seek the applause of men and gratification of self! If humiliations, reproofs, criticisms or failure discourage us—if we envy such as are more respected and esteemed than we—we cannot say with our heavenly Bridegroom: “I seek not my honor.” Oh, let us learn to lean upon Him Who mercifully pardons the humble, and provides with paternal solicitude for those that immolate their own honor to him.
Second Point
“WHICH OF YOU SHALL CONVINCE ME OF SIN?”
The enemies of Jesus are not in a position to reply even one word to His question, “Which of you shall convince Me of sin?” The faithful on earth, the saints in heaven, whatever lives, moves, in short, all creation, must unceasingly confess: “Thou alone art holy: Thou alone art the Lord: Thou alone the Most High!” He is the Lamb of God Who for the sins of all mankind was put to death. He can call upon all to be witness: “Which of you shall convince Me of sin?” With the Psalmist we must admit: “If Thou wilt be mindful of our miseries, O Lord, who can subsist before Thee?” (Ps. 129, 3). A heavy guilt of sin rests upon us, our evil conscience and many men testify against us. How necessary is it, therefore, that we endeavor to liquidate our guilt before departing this life. Let us now, while there is yet time, hear the admonitions of the Lord and correspond to His graces, that He may not conceal Himself from us as He did from the obdurate Jews. In all justice He deserted them because in their obstinacy and perversion they would neither accept His doctrine, nor acknowledge Him as the Messiah, in spite of the many miracles He had wrought. How far has not the chosen people, once so highly favored by heaven and singularly protected by God for a long time, finally come? Let us strive by humility and fidelity to avert our Lord’s displeasure. Was I not often the cause of God’s withdrawing His presence and leaving me in spiritual dryness, darkness and doubt?
Affections: O my Jesus, permit me not one day to hear from Thee the reproach of having sought my own honor and not Thine! Preserve me from such a misfortune, sure to come upon Thy unfaithful spouses. I will employ solely for Thy honor all the graces and gifts which Thou so generously hast bestowed on me. In all my thoughts, words, and actions, I will seek Thy divine pleasure. Live and reign in my heart, O Jesus, with all the power of Thy love. Blot out every stain of sin, every affection and love incompatible with Thy holy love. Grant that I may listen to Thy words with humility and reverence, and persevere to the end in Thy holy service, through the faithful discharge of my duties.
Resolution: In all my actions I will seek to please God alone.
Spiritual Bouquet: “I seek not My honor, but the honor of Him Who sent Me.”
Prayer: Jesus, my Lord, my King. . .
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