Discernment
Despite opposition, Jesus continues to try and convince the Jews of his mission and of his divine association with the Father, "I have come here from God, not that I chose to, no, I was sent by him" (John 8:31-42) but they were not receptive because of their inner disposition. To the Jews who believed in him, he reiterated to them (and to us today), that if we take his teachings to heart, we will "learn the truth, and the truth will set us free." I take this to mean inner freedom; a spiritual freedom, free from sin; a freedom to be united with God the Father, the source of all true life.
Sin alienates us from God. This Lent, we are called to an intimate relationship with God so as to experience his peace. By confessing our sins, we allow Jesus to heal our brokenness; by attending Holy Mass, we receive spiritual nourishment; by reading the scriptures, we learn to discern his teachings and guidance in our everyday life.
Discernment of God's words helps us to learn all the good attributes of him who came to show us how love, mercy, compassion can change peoples' lives, and he expects that we do the same. With discernment, our love for him can only grow and in living a life pleasing to him, we too can experience the peace and goodness of a God-made-man but without sin, the Son, who is one with the Father in terms of his origin and his obedience in "doing the will of him who sent me" (Jn 5:30); sent to save us from the darkness of sin so that we can share in his eternal glory.
O God ever the same,
let me know myself,
let me know you!
- St Augustine -
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