We now begin the second half of Lent. Leading up to Holy Week, our Gospel readings for daily Mass are taken from the Gospel of John.
Where St. Luke strives to give a historical, chronological account of the ministry of Jesus Christ, John’s Gospel is arranged, not strictly chronologically, but topically or theologically. He aims to answer the theological question: Who is Jesus Christ?
Where each of the other evangelists record many miracles, John chooses only seven: the miracle at the wedding of cana, the healing of the nobleman’s son, the healing of the paralytic, the feeding of the five thousand, the walking on water, the healing of the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus.
Through these miracles many come to believe that he is God incarnate. He is able to give the supernatural life he promises because He is God. He is able to forgive sins because he has the divine authority to do so. We heard today Jesus say, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” So John records seven.
John carefully records people’s reactions to Jesus. After the healing of the nobleman’s son we hear how the whole household began to believe in him. After his teaching on the Bread of Life in chapter 6, we hear how many people who were initially following him turned away from him, finding the teaching too hard.
During the remaining days of Lent, these Gospel readings can strengthen our faith that Jesus truly has the power to free us from our sins. Whatever sinful attitudes or behaviors of selfishness we are struggling with, Jesus truly has the power to free us from them.
“A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy,” Jesus says in John chapter 10. “I came, so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Through our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, allow Jesus to free you from selfishness and give you the gift of abundant life, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
Where St. Luke strives to give a historical, chronological account of the ministry of Jesus Christ, John’s Gospel is arranged, not strictly chronologically, but topically or theologically. He aims to answer the theological question: Who is Jesus Christ?
Where each of the other evangelists record many miracles, John chooses only seven: the miracle at the wedding of cana, the healing of the nobleman’s son, the healing of the paralytic, the feeding of the five thousand, the walking on water, the healing of the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus.
Through these miracles many come to believe that he is God incarnate. He is able to give the supernatural life he promises because He is God. He is able to forgive sins because he has the divine authority to do so. We heard today Jesus say, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” So John records seven.
John carefully records people’s reactions to Jesus. After the healing of the nobleman’s son we hear how the whole household began to believe in him. After his teaching on the Bread of Life in chapter 6, we hear how many people who were initially following him turned away from him, finding the teaching too hard.
During the remaining days of Lent, these Gospel readings can strengthen our faith that Jesus truly has the power to free us from our sins. Whatever sinful attitudes or behaviors of selfishness we are struggling with, Jesus truly has the power to free us from them.
“A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy,” Jesus says in John chapter 10. “I came, so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Through our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, allow Jesus to free you from selfishness and give you the gift of abundant life, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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