We know that each of the Gospel writers wrote to different audiences and for different purposes. Mark wrote to the Romans: this is why his Gospel is succinct, to the point, focusing on the power of Jesus, his victory over evil. Matthew wrote to his fellow Jews—seeking to show them how Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament—he was the New Moses, the New David, the new prophet Elisha, the culmination of God’s work in salvation history detailed throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. Luke, the well-educated Gentile physician, sought to give a historical, chronological account of Jesus’ ministry, giving every reader an opportunity to understand and believe the good news about Jesus Christ.
St. John’s Gospel is address primarily to those who have already come to believe—it is written by a believer to believers. It is highly mystical, highly theological, written for those who seek to go deeper, to Jesus’ identity, his heart—John seeks to help us understand the spiritual import of the Gospel.
John also carefully records people’s reaction 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.
It is fitting that we read from John during the latter half of Lent. For if we consider Lent like a desert retreat—the first few days of a retreat we are still settling, we start to put away our worldly distractions; but the second half is when the real work begins—attention to the interior life—the conversion from sensuality and pride to dedication to Christ.
As we read about how people reacted to Jesus’ words and deeds in John, we do well to reflect on how we are reacting to Jesus’ call to conversion, his call to put aside worldly things in order to cherish heavenly things. How have you reacted to that call? Do you perhaps need to recommit and deepen your Lenten penances? In John’s Gospel some respond to Jesus in faith and some respond to Jesus with hard-hearts? How are you responding?
Having put aside earthly matters in the first half of Lent, we are now to be freer in this second half of Lent to encounter God more profoundly and more deeply in the desert silence—in the innermost sanctuary of our souls.
Continuing to make pilgrimage through the Lenten desert, may the Holy Spirit help us to respond to Jesus’s call to conversion with faith in preparation for the eternal Easter for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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