Friday of the Third Week of Advent
(Isaiah 56-3a.6-8; John 5:33-36)
In John’s Gospel Jesus seems to be continually on trial
before the Jews. This explains the lack
of a trial in the Passion account. Jesus
is presented today as calling a witness to defend himself. He tells the Jews that they heard John the
Baptist testify in his favor and that they had believed him before. However, he adds that now they won’t accept John’s
testimony.
Next Jesus will admit evidence in his defense. He says that the works – the healings and
miraculous deeds like changing water into wine – testify to his being God’s
emissary. Unfortunately, the Jews will
not be satisfied with this proof either.
Hopefully, we are. Every
year we have to decide to keep accepting Jesus at his word or to forget about
his coming in glory. Fortunately, we are
boosted by the good we see in other Christians and by other experiences of
grace. We must continue to wait
patiently for Jesus. Maybe it will be
soon. But it will probably not be in our
lifetime. In any case, there is comfort
in waiting with so many fine people.
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