Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 71-2.10.25-30)
In today’s gospel the people of Jerusalem are divided on Jesus’
identity. Some believe him to be the
Messiah sent from God. Others find that
proposition impossible. They say that since
they know where Jesus comes from, he cannot be from God. Then Jesus declares himself.
He says that the people only think they know him. They may say that he comes from Nazareth. But he has origins beyond that town or the
world, for that matter. He came from God
with a mission to carry out. Until that
mission is accomplished, he cannot be detained.
Many today similarly question Jesus’ identity. They see him as a human person without a divine
nature. They often admire his wisdom but
cannot accept his resurrection from the dead. This makes a convenient argument for those who
do not want to comply with his teaching.
However, those who believe he comes from God know that his ways will
bring them happiness.