Friday, March 15, 2013

Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent

(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 7:1-2.10.25-30)

Within a few hours after Pope Francis I was elected the other day, Wikipedia posted an article with the major facts of his life, including controversies.  The world hungers for information about the man in order to discern what kind of religious leader he will be.  But how can some facts reveal the dynamics of a mature person?  The situation is similar to what Jesus faces in today’s gospel.

The Jews question themselves on whether Jesus may be God’s Messiah.  They have heard of his mighty deeds.  But they have also received news that he is from Galilee, indeed from the insignificant town of Nazareth.  In their minds this latter fact excludes him from being considered as the Messiah.  For them it is as if he were not born within the United States yet was being considered a candidate for President.  But Jesus’ origin supersedes his earthly birth.  As the introduction to the Gospel of John specifies, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word (Jesus) was God.”

The point is at heart of our faith.  If Jesus were but an earthly messiah -- a righteous teacher, a martyr for justice – we might sift through his wisdom and actions for virtue to imitate.  But if he is from God, indeed if he is God, then he deserves our complete, implicit allegiance.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Lent

(Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47)

There is no end to people’s fascination with idols.  Tabloid newspapers and even more sophisticated media easily find consumers wanting to know more about LaBron James or Lindsay Lohan.  This fact is amusing but it is also disturbing.  Taken up with these false gods, the public misses the real God.  This is why Jesus sounds so frustrated in today’s gospel.

Jewish authorities are hassling Jesus for having cured a paralytic on the Sabbath.  Jesus has defended the action as a work of life that God continually performs every day of the week.  In today’s passage Jesus concludes the argument.  He says that if the authorities really understood the Scriptures, with which they are accusing Jesus of wrongdoing, they would recognize that they testify to his being from God, not against God.

Looking toward Holy Week, we need to reaffirm who it is that will command our attention.  It is no less than God’s eternal Son.  His actions -- and nothing we can produce nor knowledge we can have nor other person we can know -- will give us our heart’s deepest desire. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30)

In the first three gospels when Jesus is tried by the Jews, he is accused of calling himself the “son of God.”  In the long discourse from John’s gospel today, Jesus defends that position.  Differences between the so-called synoptic gospels and John are apparent to all readers, but quite typically careful readers will find that they give basically the same message.

Jesus defends his relationship of being God’s son in two ways.  First, he claims to do the work of the Father which is to give life.  We might keep in mind that sons through the ages -- and certainly in first century Palestine -- often took upon themselves the occupation of their fathers.  If their father was a carpenter, they would likely become carpenters.  Thus, being thought the son of Joseph, Jesus is alternately called the carpenter’s son and a carpenter.  In yesterday’s gospel Jesus did the work of God, his true father, by healing – a form of giving life which is God’s prerogative.  Second, Jesus does the work of God by judging, that is by vindicating the good.  He vindicates the good by giving life to those who believe in him.

Today’s gospel is prepping us to celebrate the Easter mysteries.  Then we will be challenged to believe the proclamation of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection from the dead.  Expressing faith by assenting to this proclamation and living accordingly, we will receive the eternal life they promise.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent

(Ezekiel 47:1-9.12; John 5:1-16)

Water has been long associated with healing.  Hindu pilgrims come in myriads to the Ganges River in hope of cures.  Western believers imbibe the spring waters at Lourdes praying for a miracle.  Natural baths the world over have devotees seeking their medicinal effects.

The reading from Ezekiel today manifests the healing power of the Jerusalem temple by describing it as the source of water.  The liquid begins as trickle emerging from its threshold and quickly grows in volume.  As it leaves the structure’s confines, it becomes a torrent that irrigates fruit trees providing both food and medicine.  In the gospel Jesus shows his ability to cure as ever more efficacious.  He instantaneously heals the sick man who lacks the wherewithal to plunge himself into the temple waters. 

We may see Jesus as a kind of river of plenty.  Like the Ganges, he heals us of infirmities.  Like the Nile in Egypt, he provides us the means for sustenance.  Like the Mississippi in the United States, he transports us home.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4: 43-54)

The third part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah was composed after the Exile.  For years the people of Jerusalem suffered in a foreign land.  Now they are back home although their trials have not ended.  The prophet says, in effect, “Enough is enough,” and foretells a time of plenty.  The passage should reflect our Lenten experience to date. 

We have passed the watershed on our Lenten journey.  Hopefully, we have been freed of the attachments to material goods that keep us from loving as we should.  Now we can focus on Jesus’ promise of eternal life.

The gospel manifests the promise’s fulfillment.  Jesus challenges the royal official to trust in him.  As soon as he does, his request for the cure of his son is granted.  The passage emphasizes, however, more than recovered health.  Three times it speaks of the boy living.  It adds that the official’s whole household, obviously including the son, comes to believe.  Their lives will endure death to experience unimaginable dimensions of life.