Gospel (Jn 8,51-59) - At that time, Jesus said to the Jews: «Truly, truly, I say to you: “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death”». The Jews then said to him: «Now we know that you are possessed by demons. Abraham died, as did the prophets, and you say: "If anyone keeps my word, he will never experience death." Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Even the prophets are dead. Who do you think you are?". Jesus replied: «If I glorified myself, my glory would be nothing. He who glorifies me is my Father, of whom you say: “He is our God!”, and you do not know him. But I know him. If I said I didn't know him, I would be like you: a liar. But I know him and keep his word. Abraham, your father, rejoiced in the hope of seeing my day; he saw it and was filled with joy." Then the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.” Then they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the temple.

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” This statement that opens this day's Gospel passage clearly speaks of the liberating power of the Word of God. The insistence on listening to and observing the Gospel shows disciples the way to follow to be freed from the slavery of the world, including death . It is truly singular: while the Lord wants to give us "eternal" life (which does not end with death), we instead resist his words. Many look with distrust and hostility at the Lord's generous offer of a different life, more human and full of meaning. There is a sort of rejection of this great love. Maybe we accept the Gospel, as long as it is less demanding, as long as it doesn't disturb too much, as long as it doesn't claim to change our lives and habits too much. It is easy for us too to join in with the question of those who wanted to question the authority of Jesus: "Are you greater than Abraham?". The intention was to flatten the Gospel, empty it of its strength, lower it to normality. “Who do you think you are?”, they tell him cheekily. Indeed, only God can conquer death. And this is precisely the Gospel, the good news, that Jesus came to bring to the world. If the Gospel loses this prophecy of its own, if it dilutes its otherness from the world, if it does not indicate the destination of heaven, it is like killing it. Jesus replied, once again, that he was not self-exalted. His words descend from the direct knowledge of the Father who is in heaven. He is the one who sent it. And he presents himself as the first to listen and obey. We could say that Jesus clearly professes his "faith" when he states: «If I said that I didn't know him, I would be like you: a liar. But I know him and keep his word. Abraham, your Father, rejoiced in the hope of seeing my day; he saw it and was filled with joy." It is a reference to the vision that God showed to Abraham and which he, with joyful faith, accepted. The choice to follow the Gospel requires abandoning a self-absorbed way of life to joyfully welcome the vision of God, his plan of love in which he wants us to participate. If we close ourselves in our egocentrism, we will easily be similar to those listeners who first criticize Jesus with hatred and then pick up the stones to stone him. The stones are also our feelings and our behaviors that block the Gospel and its strength. The Lord wants disciples who know how to listen to him and who welcome the loving plan of the Father who wants the salvation of all.