Now when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again to Galilee. He had to pass through Samar′ia. So he came to a city of Samar′ia, called Sy′char, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samar′ia to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samar′ia?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Read More
Showing all posts by Elija
A RAY OF PEACE
“I have come to bring peace with this work of love. I will let a ray of peace fall upon anyone who honours Me and trusts in Me” (Father’s message to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN (Jn 3:31-36): “The crucial decision”
He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony; he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit; the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him. Read More
WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME…
“My existence remains hidden from me until You, O God, look at me, and my darkness becomes as clear as noon” (St. Augustine).
GOD JUSTIFIES US
“When man justifies himself, God accuses him. When man accuses himself, God justifies him” (St. Francis de Sales).
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN (3:22-30): The Friend of the Bridegroom
Jn 3:22-30
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Ae′non near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. For John had not yet been put in prison. Now a discussion arose between John’s disciples and a Jew over purifying. Read More
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN (Jn 3:9-21): Nicodemus and the message of Jesus
Nicode′mus said to Jesus, “How can this be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Read More
THOUGH HE FALL, HE SHALL NOT BE CAST HEADLONG
“The steps of a man are from the Lord, and he establishes him in whose way he delights; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord is the stay of his hand” (Ps 36:23-24).
Even if we walk steadfastly in the ways of the Lord, constantly seeking His will, we are not immune to stumbling. That is why Scripture warns us not to feel too secure: “Let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). Read More
CALL TO CONTEMPLATION
“Be first a prayer and then a speaker” (St. Augustine).
THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN (Jn 2:23-25; 3:1-8): Born of the Spirit
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicode′mus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.