Source of Life

Readings for Thursday March 18, 2010

First Reading: Exodus 32:7-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
Gospel: John 5:31-47


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 that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life. (Jn 5:36-40)

Would you go to the bakery to get a hammer? Would you go to the sporting goods store for a new designer dress? Could you find fresh baked bread in the hardware store? Of course not, you would not go to any of these stores looking for such things, you would go to these stores looking for the things that they are selling. So the question is, where do we go for life? Where do we go to find our purpose and destiny in this life?

In the gospel today, Jesus gives testimony about who He is. He tells us that the people do not want to come to Him to have life, even though He is God, the source of all life. It seems as though the people are not believing in who He is, even though many have testified on His behalf: John the Baptist, Moses, the scriptures, even God the Father. But the people seem to be "stiff necked", just like they were in the time of Moses. We have this same challenge today, there are many people in this world, who are seeking their life in other things. They do not realize that it is Jesus who is the source of all life on this Earth. If we really want to find ourselves and to find our purpose in this life and the next, then we have to turn to Him. We have to be willing to surrender our will to Gods. For it is not only this life that we should be concerned about, but also our eternal life.

Trying to find life in the world is as futile as trying to buy a hammer at a bakery store. We must always remember that Jesus is the source of all life. He is the way, the truth, and the light.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, we praise you for all the blessings that you bestow on us each and every day. Lord, help us to live our life as you had intended us, help us to never stray from the path that you have laid down before us. Lord, we pray for all those in need of conversion, that they may find their life in you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.