The Jews fetched stones to stone Jesus, so Jesus said to them, I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?
The Jews answered him, We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.
Jesus answered: Is it not written in your Law: I said, you are gods? So the Law uses the word gods of those to whom the word of God was addressed, and scripture cannot be rejected. Yet you say to someone the Father has consecrated and sent into the world, "You are blaspheming", because he says, "I am the son of God".
If I am not doing my Father's work, there is no need to believe me; but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for sure that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.'
They wanted to arrest him then, but he eluded them. Jesus withdraws to the other side of the Jordan. He went back again to the far side of the Jordan to stay in the district where John had once been baptising. Many people who came to him there said, 'John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true'; and many of them believed in him.
Short Reflection: Putting people down for their good works
Many people in other countries are imprisoned for their faith, and their good works are written off. People fighting for our human, civil or family rights often feel punished, ignored, or unsupported - not unlike Jesus being threatened with stoning for his vision and
good works .
- Like, the Marys at the foot of the cross, - like Simon the Cyrene carrying the cross, - like the mourning women weeping for Jesus
- like the good thief and his famous words,
- St Paul for his preaching the true faith,
- Like St Maximillian Kolbe
- Martin Luther King They were all trying to bring some hope and visionn, support of comfort to others.
Any support we can offer to people in difficult situations is very important. It can often be what tilts the balance between their courageously continuing or giving up in despair. We may not be able to take away all the pain like Jesus did at the stoning of Mary in the Gospel but we often can help people to continue to survive until better times come around. Many international aid agencies work on these principles - and we can do our bit too.
Story: God sometimes answers prayers too quickly
A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Sunday School. As she ran she prayed,
Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray Lord, please don't let me be late, please don't let me be late ... But please don't shove me either.....!
St Augustine used pray: Lord, make me a saint but not just yet.
I say, be careful what you pray for and and be ready for it to happen.
Todays prophet:Bartimaeus. the blind prophet
Bartimeus was a blind man, in the Gospel, sitting by the side of the road, he heard the commotion, and asked what was happening. Someone told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Immediately Bartimaeus grasped the moment, Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me, he shouted this again and again.
The people around him tried to silence him, but there was no way he was going to let this moment of grace pass. He continued shouting until Jesus stopped, called him over, and healed him.
There's many a moment in our day everyday when 'Jesus of Nazareth' passes by and as Shakespere said: There is a moment in the affairs of men when ........ This was Bartimaeus' moment. Carpe diem should be our motto when it comes to grace filled moments, seize the moment of grace or weep at your leisure.
Putting God's grace off until tomorrow never works. Only today is real. Like Bartimaeus pray, cajole, shout out loud if you must but don't let that moment of grace pass unused. Today's grace today.
A gentle call to action
Think about any of your relatives or friends who may be ill in mind or body whom you may have forgotten about recently. Special needs children are all our concern. We are called to support them and their families. They may be God passing by us today.
Fridays in Lent are special days of prayer and fasting in the widest sense. Some like to spend some time ‘doing the stations’. You could do worse! Use your parish sacrament of reconciliation before the Easter rush takes over.Dont forget to check out the children's section of this website for this week's projects and games.
Prayer Jesus, Lord of all, you are our hope in times of need.
Keep us safe in times of trouble, keep us caring for others in pain.
In caring for others, may we know you, Lord of life and friend of all, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer image of the Day.
They wanted to arrest Jesus but he eluded them............John 10:31
The Jews fetched stones to stone Jesus, so Jesus said to them,
Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! 
The people around him tried to silence him, but there was no way he was 
Think about any of your relatives or friends who may be ill in mind or body whom you may have forgotten about recently. 
Keep us safe in times of trouble,