Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": April 4

Readings

Wis 2:1a, 12-22 The wicked: “Let's beset the just one; he's against our doings, and seeing his ways is a hardship. He professes to be a child of the Lord. If he really is, God will deliver him, so let's torture and kill him to see.” Their wickedness blinded them to God's counsels and the reward of the innocent.

Ps 34:17-21, 23 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted." The Lord confronts evildoers but hears, protects, and rescues the just.

Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 The Jews were trying to kill Jesus. Some said, “Isn't he the one they're trying to kill? He's speaking openly, but they say nothing. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he's from. but we do know where Jesus is from.” Jesus: “You know me and where I'm from, but I didn't come on my own. You don't know the one who sent me, but I do and he's true.” They tried to arrest him, but his hour hadn't yet come.

Pope Francis

Homily: Prophets and saints are persecuted, misunderstood, and pushed aside; people in power don't want to be told they're wrong. Church thinkers are too, such as a recent one who criticized the Church and was removed from teaching, though now he's Blessed; the powerful didn't like what he was saying. Jesus, persecuted from the start, is the model; people wrote him off, murmuring, ‘We know where he comes from; what authority does he have?’ He took upon himself the persecutions of the people. Christians continue to suffer; people are imprisoned or killed for having the Bible, praying together, or teaching the Catechism. Persecution, is the way of the Lord, the path of his followers. The story ends in resurrection, though only through the way of the Cross.

Music

Taste and see/ Hurd (psalm)
Taste and see/ Haugen (psalm)
Taste and see/ Moore (psalm) [If you find a good cover of this, especially gospel-style, please share.]

Reflections

DailyScripture.net: What can hold us back from doing the will of God? Fear can rob us of courage and the will to do the right. Jesus accomplished his Father's will in the face of opposition; he brought victory, pardon, freedom, and everlasting life. "Our Lord had the power to lay down his life and to take it up again, but we can't choose how long we'll live... Christ, by dying, overcame death; our freedom from death comes through his death...." (St. Augustine) Don't be indifferent to Jesus' claims on you or try to mold him to your ideas; allow him to free you.

Moved to greater love Jesuit reflection on freedom despite persecution: 5 songs; 3 quotations including Bl. Miguel Pro and C. S. Lewis. What's the most dire need of those I serve? What's the middle way between fear and temerity?