One God

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?"

Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father."

They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!" So, they said to him, "We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God."

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me." (John 8:31-42)

Again, as in previous readings from John with reference to “the Jews” we read: “I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you… If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!"  

“Your father” [of the Jews] is the devil. You do your father’s work.” Good Lord! Such animosity towards those Jews who did not believe Jesus was the Christ – the Messiah!  We Catholics have missed this diatribe against those understandably holding fast to their Jewish beliefs.  Much of our Gospel during Lent reflects that animosity. That’s a shame.

We become shameful when we associate any follower of any belief (such as Islam and Hinduism) as being fathered by the devil.  We know the truth we have heard from God.  We are doing the works of our Father when we acknowledge those of all faiths are brothers and sisters because we worship the one God from whom we came.  

Deacon David Pierce