REFLECTIONS TODAY
Many great pioneers and scientists met skepticism or outright disbelief when they presented their discoveries to their contemporaries.
One pioneer whose discoveries brought him utter rejection is Galileo.
For defending the theory that the earth revolves around the sun and not the opposite, he spent the last eight years of his life under house arrest by the order of Pope Urban VIII.
As the first person to apply the telescope to the study of the skies, Galileo could say that he was merely teaching what he had learned at first hand from his own observation from the heavens.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus says something analogous, although in his case he is not referring to the heavens (plural) but rather to Heaven (singular).
He says in substance that he knows what he is talking about because he is merely talking about “what he has seen and heard.”
He comes from Heaven; God sent him to speak the words of God. So, whoever believes in him as the Son of God has eternal life.
Whoever accepts his testimony, God’s love remains in him, and he remains in God.
First Reading • Acts 5:27-33
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.
Responsorial Psalm • Ps 34
“The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” or “Alleluia.”
Gospel • John 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.