Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 12:24-13:5a; John 12:44-50)
If the gospel were a drama, today’s passage would end an
act. Jesus is completing his public
ministry. He has given the people many
signs that he is the Son of God who has come to save the world. Some have accepted him, but many have chosen
not to follow him.
It is not easy to follow Jesus. For Jews it means departing from the age-old
customs of sacrifices and endless prayers.
In place of these traditions, they are told to love one another from the
heart. Following Jesus is not necessarily easier today. There are many Christian churches, and many
good people worship within them. Yet
preoccupation with personal desires and maintenance of personal enmities hinder
allegiance to Jesus.
We will successfully follow Jesus when we do three things. We must avoid what is evil. Jesus never leads us in that direction. Likewise, we must take on a service to
others. As Jesus says during the Last
Supper, “You ought wash one another’s feet.” Finally, we must seek God’s
continual enlightenment with prayer.
God, the source of wisdom and strength, is waiting to help us.
