“You who have now put on Christ and follow our guidance are like little fish on the hook: you are being pulled up out of the deep waters of this world by the word of God.”
READ: JOHN 8:41–59
“We were not born of prostitution,” they went on, “we have one father: God.” Jesus answered: “If God were your father, you would love me, since I have come here from God; yes, I have come from him; not that I came because I chose, no, I was sent, and by him. Do you know why you cannot take in what I say? It is because you are unable to understand my language. The devil is your father, and you prefer to do what your father wants. He was a murderer from the start; he was never grounded in the truth; there is no truth in him at all: when he lies he is drawing on his own store, because he is a liar, and the father of lies. But as for me, I speak the truth and for that very reason, you do not believe me. Can one of you convict me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? A child of God listens to the words of God; if you refuse to listen, it is because you are not God’s children.”
The Jews replied, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and possessed by a devil?” Jesus answered: “I am not possessed; no, I honor my Father, but you want to dishonor me. Not that I care for my own glory, there is someone who takes care of that and is the judge of it. I tell you most solemnly, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” The Jews said, “Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?” Jesus answered: “If I were to seek my own glory that would be no glory at all; my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, ‘He is our God,’ although you do not know him. But I know him, and if I were to say: I do not know him, I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves. But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.” The Jews then said, “You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!” Jesus replied: “I tell you most solemnly, before Abraham ever was, I Am.” At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
Jesus: Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death. Do you know what the taste of death is? It is interior darkness and the absence of hope. It is depression that gets heavier and heavier until it spawns despair. It is the sense of defeat and meaninglessness that seeps into every corner of the soul like a cold, dense fog that gets thicker and thicker and thicker. It is discovering that you are alone, that no one truly knows you, and so no one can truly love you. It is seeing the seething ugliness of sin putrefying in one’s heart and being unable to do anything to wipe it away. It is watching your dreams slowly wither away, unfulfilled, or seeing them come true only to turn into nightmares as soon as you reach out to grasp them.
No one can live at peace with themselves unless they are willing to follow me. There is no other way. Death is existence without my friendship. It is what I came to destroy. You who have embraced life, you are my prize and my delight, because you let my victory in.
Keep my word, follow me, and I will give you life.
RESPOND
I have to admit, Lord, that I understand very little when it comes to the mystery of Your Incarnation. I know You are true God, and I know You are true man, but how You fit those two things together boggles my mind. But I am content to know that You who created and redeemed me continue to love and accompany me. To have God as my intimate friend is more than I could ever desire.
When I think about how much my daily decisions and actions matter in Your eyes, it fills me with enthusiasm. I can build Your Kingdom! I know that You care most about what happens in my heart. Many people build impressive worldly empires around shriveled hearts, and when their empires wane, their lives do too. But I want to live from Your love, seeking Your will, giving You glory.
REST
What would I do without Your friendship, Lord? In whom would I hope? To whom would I complain? From whom would I learn? Thank You for coming into my life. Never let me be separated from You. And fill me with Your own desire: to save many souls from death, from the hollow existence of life without Your friendship. Make me Your apostle, Your disciple, Your ambassador; make me a fisher of men.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
