How have you experienced God’s protection lately? - Daily Reflections March 27,2015

JESUS, OUR PROTECTOR AND RESCUER

 

Next week is Good Friday. As with all Fridays of Lent, there is a special penitential character in today’s readings. More so, in these last days before Holy Week, the hatred of the Jews against Jesus intensifies.

         The Jews are already trying to arrest Jesus, already getting rocks to stone Him. While there is by now a tone of pleading on the part of Jesus (“I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?”), our Lord maintains His dignified command over the tense situation. In the end, “He escaped from their power” and then there is a final note of the people’s affirmative belief in Jesus.

         The similarities with the First Reading are very clear. The opening verse in the passage from Jeremiah is alarming, an exclamation against the unfortunate, threatened prophet: “Terror on every side! Denounce! Let us denounce him!” But the protection and consolation from the Lord is there with the prophet, “like a mighty champion.” Confidently, Jeremiah affirms, “My persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.”

         We, too, may be threatened by so many trials and tribulations in life. But we can make our own the words of our Responsorial Psalm: “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.” The threats and troubles may stare at us in the face. Could the Lord be just testing our patience and trust in Him, our faith and courage? He is surely there behind the trials, lurking, yet ready to run to our rescue at our slightest plea. We just have to maintain and affirm our trust and confidence in Him. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How have you experienced God’s protection lately?

 

For always being ready to protect and rescue me in times of difficulties, thank You, Lord Jesus. May I always have the firm belief that You will never ever leave me alone.