Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47)
To appreciate
today’s readings, we have to consider the argument between the Christian
minority and Jewish majority in late first century. The Gospel of John was
written in the midst of this argument. The
Jews were reforming after the Roman invasion and destruction of the Temple. They looked upon followers of Christ as
schismatics, not worthy to be treated as brothers. Christians, to the contrary, saw themselves
as the authentic Israel because they followed Jesus, God’s authentic prophet.
The first reading
shows Israelites deviating from God’s ways in the desert, soon after the adoption
of the covenant. They worship a golden
calf rather than the spiritual God who rescued them from slavery. In the gospel Jesus challenges the Jews for
continuing the errant beliefs of their ancestors. He cites their rejection of him as the “Son
of God” as evidence of their ignorance of Scripture. He tells them that not only his healings but
also the Scriptures testify to him. They
show that he is the prophet of whom Moses once spoke. (That testimony is not in today’s reading but
can be found in the Book of Deuteronomy.)
We don’t
want to get involved in the first century argument. Rather we should find the Lord challenging us
if we have faithfully followed Jesus.
Most of all, Jesus showed us how to love truly. It is done not by making sentimental attempts
to please others. Rather, loving is a
matter of enabling others to experience the presence of the Lord Jesus.
