Summary: <br> 5th Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast<br> As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.<br> Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”<br> Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…<br> From the Holy Gospel of John 8:51-59<br> Jesus said to the Jews:<br> ‘I tell you most solemnly,<br> whoever keeps my word<br> will never see death.’<br> 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:<br> ‘If I were to seek my own glory<br> that would be no glory at all;<br> my glory is conferred by the Father,<br> by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”<br> although you do not know him.<br> But I know him,<br> and if I were to say: I do not know him,<br> I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.<br> But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.<br> Your father Abraham rejoiced<br> to think that he would see my Day;<br> he saw it and was glad.’<br> The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:<br> ‘I tell you most solemnly,<br> before Abraham ever was,<br> I Am.’<br> At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.<br> What word made this passage come alive for you?<br> <br> What did you sense the Lord saying to you?<br> Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:<br> Jesus said to the Jews:<br> ‘I tell you most solemnly,<br> whoever keeps my word<br> will never see death.’<br> 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:<br> ‘If I were to seek my own glory<br> that would be no glory at all;<br> my glory is conferred by the Father,<br> by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”<br> although you do not know him.<br> But I know him,<br> and if I were to say: I do not know him,<br> I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.<br> But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.<br> Your father Abraham rejoiced<br> to think that he would see my Day;<br> he saw it and was glad.’<br> The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:<br> ‘I tell you most solemnly,<br> before Abraham ever was,<br> I Am.’<br> At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.<br> What did your heart feel as you listened?<br> What did you sense the Lord saying to you?<br> Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:<br> Jesus said to the Jews:<br> ‘I tell you most solemnly,<br> whoever keeps my word<br> will never see death.’<br> 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:<br> ‘If I were to seek my own glory<br> that would be no glory at all;<br> my glory is conferred by the Father,<br> by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”<br> although you do not know him.<br> But I know him,<br> and if I were to say: I do not know him,<br> I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.<br>
