LET US CONDEMN HIM TO A SHAMEFUL DEATH

FRIDAY 4TH WEEK OF LENT Universalis

‘Isn’t this the man they want to kill?

Reading Wisdom 2:1,12-22

Let us lie in wait for the virtuous man and condemn him to a shameful death

 

The godless say to themselves, with their misguided reasoning:

‘Our life is short and dreary, nor is there any relief when man’s end comes, nor is anyone known who can give release from Hades. Let us lie in wait for the virtuous man, since he annoys us and opposes our way of life, reproaches us for our breaches of the law and accuses us of playing false to our upbringing. He claims to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a son of the Lord. Before us he stands, a reproof to our way of thinking, the very sight of him weighs our spirits down; his way of life is not like other men’s, the paths he treads are unfamiliar. In his opinion we are counterfeit; he holds aloof from our doings as though from filth; he proclaims the final end of the virtuous as happy and boasts of having God for his father. Let us see if what he says is true, let us observe what kind of end he himself will have. If the virtuous man is God’s son, God will take his part and rescue him from the clutches of his enemies. Let us test him with cruelty and with torture, and thus explore this gentleness of his and put his endurance to the proof. Let us condemn him to a shameful death since he will be looked after – we have his word for it.’

This is the way they reason, but they are misled, their malice makes them blind. They do not know the hidden things of God, they have no hope that holiness will be rewarded, they can see no reward for blameless souls.

Gospel John John 7:1-2,10,25-30 They would have arrested him, but his time had not yet come

Jesus stayed in Galilee; he could not stay in Judaea, because the Jews were out to kill him. 

As the Jewish feast of Tabernacles drew near, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went up as well, but quite privately, without drawing attention to himself. Meanwhile some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Isn’t this the man they want to kill? And here he is, speaking freely, and they have nothing to say to him! Can it be true the authorities have made up their minds that he is the Christ? Yet we all know where he comes from, but when the Christ appears no one will know where he comes from.’ CDR

My God deliver me from misguided reasoning of the godless. Deliver me from the plots of my enemies who hates me.  Father direct my steps, I have no claim to your numerous gifts and talent. Father I appreciate your unmerited gifts of favor and grace. Father deliver me from those who feel my life is a challenge to them. Save me from their jealousy and evil plots. Psalm 2

Some claim to be my friend while plotting my fall. Some who claim to be my friends are the architects of my problems. Father you know everything. They may plot against me - I know you will rescue me. You will guide and protect me. For in you I place my trust.

Lord Jesus Christ my Saviour come to my help. Lord I trust in you. Sacred heart of Jesus I believe in your love for me. Immaculate heart of Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God’s Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Guardian Angel ray for me. Protec me.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Meditate on the Stations of the Cross. O Lady Queen of Sorrows pray for us.

Psalm 27 Prayer of Protection