April 3, Friday Lenten Weekday

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.-- Psalm 18:7

Mass readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13 / John 10:31-42

The Way to Faith

Have you ever been in a dead-end discussion, one that generates more heat than light? Jesus' encounter with the crowd in today's Gospel looks something like that. First they want to stone Him, and finally to arrest Him. He seems to have no effect. His words don't change their minds; nor do His deeds, their hearts.

And yet as the Gospel ends He encounters another group, among whom ''many began to believe in him.'' Why the difference? I think part of it is that faith requires surrender, admitting that God's wisdom outstrips our own; God's plan exceeds our little agenda. God is in dialogue with us each day in prayer, in silence, and in the events of life. Do we let the dialogue generate light -- a deepening of faith -- or only heat?

Prayer: Give me, O God, the light of Your truth.