Thursday of the 4 week of Lent ‘b’

Jn 5:31-47

A long Gospel today, but one sentence caught my attention. Jesus says: “I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.” This is very strong accusation and makes me think how lucky I am because these words are not addressed to me. But really? Well, it makes me think how many times I say my prayers only because I feel obliged, or go to church because I have to, or read the Gospel because I need to write my reflection or homily. Isn’t this like praising God without a deep love for Him? I think what Jesus I trying to tell me today is that all my religious practices may become an empty praising of God without a deep love for Him. He doesn’t need our praise; He wants our love.