A Lenten Word - Make Room for My Word

Homily for Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Lent

A Lenten Word - Make Room for My Word

In today’s Gospel text, Jesus addresses himself to a group were his disciples. In chapter six of this Gospel, John tells us that some of his disciples left because his word was too much to take in. Two chapters later, Jesus tells them that there is no room for his word among them.

“You are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you” (John 8:37b).

Even though they have heard him and rejected him, Jesus does not give up on them. We find him here trying to dissuade them from the path that they have taken. He has spoken the truth to them, but they have chosen to ignore the truth.

In the reading from the Book of Daniel, we hear the familiar story of the three young men in the fiery furnace. Unlike the men in the Gospel text, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have opened themselves to God’s word so they have no room in their hearts for the threats of King Nebuchadnezzar. In a remarkable sense of trust, they put themselves into the king’s hands even though they know that they might perish at the hands of their torturers.

“If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us!” (Daniel 3:17).

As we go about our day, let us be mindful and make room for God’s word in our hearts and minds.