The past two days we have heard in our Gospel readings, two
of the seven signs that testify to Jesus’ identity: monday we heard of the
healing of the royal officials son, and yesterday, the healing of the paralytic
at the pool of Bethesda.
Often following the miracles in John’s Gospel, Jesus gives a
lengthy teaching. He got their attention
with the miraculous sign, now, he lays it on them.
For us, these teachings clarify who Jesus is, and the
mission he is about: He is the Son of God, he is here to do His Father’s
work.
These teachings, however, also deepen the antagonism between
Jesus and his persecutors. Especially as
we get closer to Holy Week, we will experience with Jesus a deepening
antagonism from those who will eventually call for his death. The clearer He makes his identity and
mission, the more the world seems to hate him for it.
As hostility mounts against him, the Faithful are called to
draw nearer to Him: to lay our heads on his breast, like John the Evangelist,
the beloved disciple, to remain close to the sound of his voice.
Jesus came, as he says, to reveal the voice, and will, and
face, and hands of the Father. Jesus
reveals that God is full of mercy, compassion, self-sacrifice, and love.
We do well to allow Jesus to draw us deeper, particularly in
our Lenten prayer, into a more intimate, loving experience of God. Lent, like a good spiritual retreat, is meant
for the renewal of our spiritual lives and our lives of charity.
Faithful to this call to prayer, may the Lord continue to
reveal the merciful, compassionate face of his Father to us, that we may bear
witness to His love to our neighbor, for the glory of God and salvation of
souls.
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