Daily Gospel Reflection

Survey Your Life

Welcome back to Radical and Relevant, where we're exploring the genius of Jesus, the Gospels, Catholicism, and looking for that one word, phrase, or idea to take into our day so that we can anchor our lives in the gospel. We're still in John. We're still in chapter 5:31- 47 today. Jesus said, "If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness to me. And I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true. You sent to John and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony which I receive is from man. But I say this that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John. For the works which the father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing bear me witness that the father has sent me. And the father who has sent me has himself borne witness to me.

His voice, you have never heard. His form, you have never seen. And you do not know his word abiding in you. For you do not believe him who he has sent. You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. And it is they that bear witness to me. Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men, but I know that you have not the love of God within you. I have come in my father's name, and you did not receive me. If another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe we receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the father. It is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me. For he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"

It's a beautiful reading. There's so many things we could jump into here. But what struck me is Jesus says that you refuse to come to me, that you may have a life. By coming to Jesus, that we have life. It fills us with life. It fills us with this energy, this enthusiasm, this excitement for this life and for the next life. And so today I want to encourage you to survey your life. In which area or which arena of your life do you need Jesus to infuse like new life into that aspect of your life? And when's the last time you asked him? Go to your prayer today, survey the areas of your life. Where do you need new life? Which aspect of your life do you need new life in? And then sit before Jesus and ask Him to bring you that life. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life. He wants to give you the life. Ask him to fill that aspect of your life with new life. Have an amazing day. I'll see you tomorrow. Remember, be bold, be Catholic.