Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 14 March 2024
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Exodus 32:7-14. John 5:31-47
Hard-heartedness
The people of Israel are portrayed in the First Testament as ‘stiff-necked people’, or ‘hard-hearted people’. A stiff-necked bull is of no use for carrying the load or for agriculture. Besides, a stiff-necked bull can never be directed down the correct path.
In the first reading, the people of Israel, forgetting the wonders and prodigies that the Lord did for them, begin to worship.
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus presents four witnesses that point to him and finally concludes by saying that his contemporaries never paid heed to any of the witnesses:
(a) John the Baptist. John bore witness to Jesus.
(b) Jesus’ actions themselves bear witness.
(c) The Father, who had sent Jesus.
(d) The Sacred Scriptures bear witness.
The contemporaries of Jesus were not ready to see Jesus, the Son of God.
Earlier, Moses was interceding for the people; now Moses himself will recede from intercession.
Why do we render our hearts hardened?
(a) Self-sufficiency. (b) Complacency. (c) Fickle mindedness.
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The biggest negative circumstance for faith is hard-heartedness. (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 54)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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