John 8:51-56 NRSVue

⁵¹Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” ⁵²The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ ⁵³Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?” ⁵⁴Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, ‘He is our God,’ ⁵⁵though you do not know him. But I know him; if I would say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I keep his word. ⁵⁶Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.”

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
The word of God has a powerful effect and leads us to life that is everlasting. The word of God begins in heaven, lives on earth for a short time and returns to heaven, promising us the same. The mystery of these weeks of the passion and death of Jesus links heaven and earth in a wide and wonderful bond of love.

Reflection
We keep the words of loved ones in our hearts, like their photos in a precious place. Or when we watch a DVD of them or a video, we find love and memories coming alive. The word of God is the same - it enlivens our souls and our convictions about what is best in life. We find a leap in the heart when we hear our favourite words or stories of Jesus and the bible. Prayer brings us deeply into the words of God that mean a lot to us. God's word in Jesus keeps our faith alive, and his word who is Jesus will be with us forever.

Reflection
Lent helps me to recover my sincerity, to restoring my relationship with God. Jesus calls me to conversion, to leave aside any images or notions to which I have become attached.

Reflection
Jesus promises me life if I keep his word. What is his word for me today?