"In every single thing you do, you are choosing a direction. Your life is a product of choices."

The sower may mistake and sow his peas crookedly: the peas make no mistake, but come up and show his line. - Ralph Waldo Emerson: (1803 – 1882: was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet)

Gospel Text: (JN 8:12-20)

Jesus spoke to them again, saying,

“I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.”

So the Pharisees said to him,

“You testify on your own behalf,

so your testimony cannot be verified.”

Jesus answered and said to them,

“Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,

because I know where I came from and where I am going.

But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.

You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.

And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid,

because I am not alone,

but it is I and the Father who sent me.

Even in your law it is written

that the testimony of two men can be verified.

I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.”

So they said to him, “Where is your father?”

Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father.

If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

He spoke these words

while teaching in the treasury in the temple area.

But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

We are approaching Holy Week and we see in the readings at Mass that many people were working against Jesus. His death was not an accident. But for every person whose choices helped put Jesus on the Cross, there was a choice. We remember that on the Cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Every one of us who is a sinner, has the chance to accept this prayer, and know that even on the Cross, Jesus is our Good Shepherd, who wants to offer us His mercy and forgiveness.