John 8:31-42

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham
and have never been enslaved to anyone.
How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in a household forever,
but a son always remains.
So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.
I know that you are descendants of Abraham.
But you are trying to kill me,
because my word has no room among you.
I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence;
then do what you have heard from the Father.”

They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children,
you would be doing the works of Abraham.
But now you are trying to kill me,
a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;
Abraham did not do this.
You are doing the works of your father!”
So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication.
We have one Father, God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I came from God and am here;
I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

The statement “the truth will set you free,” is a truth that is so obvious to your faithful believers. Your truth, is the only truth, and it is objectively true whether we recognize it or not. But a great cloud of confusion has descended upon this world. Many people live in the confusion of Pilot’s Question “what is truth?” But that is simply the deciet of the devil and the conceit of the atheist that wants to be free of the rules of God.

Objective truth speaks to a reality that is difficult for non-believers and atheists. It speaks to something bigger than ourselves, and it speaks to the deepest part of who we are as human beings, made in the image of God. That reality is that there is a God, and that He is Lord, and that His rules are binding on us. Binding but not burdensome. His rules are the secret recipe for full and lasting happiness in this world and the next, and it only takes humility to see that, and submission to accept it.

But this is not slavery, if you accept this way of life, it is instead a gift, and the reward is true and lasting happiness. This is not a happiness that comes from lack of pain and suffering, for those are part of the human condition, but a happiness that comes from, as Augustine said, by “resting in thee”. This is a contentment that comes from the peace of knowing that we are living our lives and asserting our will in a way that aligns with God’s will for us.

To the non-believer, this may seem ridiculous, and it may seem like a mass delusion, but I assure you it is not. It is like riding a bike, or driving a manual transmission, you cannot fully understand until you actually do it, and then once you do it, it becomes easy and even natural. When you decide to orient your life to and with God, and His will for your life, it is then that you will find the lasting happiness, and the peace that surpasses all understanding. This is truly a priceless gift, but is freely given. All you need to do is ask for it, and God will pour His grace upon you. Ask Him today!

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord, I wish to have this freedom, and I know that there is only one way to find this freedom, and that is your way, your truth, and your life. Please help me today to walk that path and find my way to freedom.