4th Week of Lent 2019 - Tuesday - The drama begins

Yesterday, we began reading from the series of seven miracles in John’s Gospel, and today we read the third miracle, the healing of the man at the waters of Bethesda, pools of water that were open to the public, near the northern sheep gate of Jerusalem. The waters were thought to have healing properties, but healing eluded this crippled man for thirty-eight years. In the end, it was not the water at all that brought him healing, rather, his faith in Jesus Christ, the healing word of Jesus.

The power of faith, obedience to the word of Jesus, links yesterday’s gospel miracle, and today’s. Today’s story begins the drama which will continue to unfold and eventually lead to the climax of Good Friday.

The Jewish leaders, witnessing Jesus’ miracle, instead of responding to the miracle with faith, harden their hearts, and St. John tells us they begin to “persecute” Jesus. “Persecute” in the sense that they begin to obstruct his holy work and bring suffering to him,

One scripture commentary said that John’s use of the word “persecute” also has the resonance of “legal prosecution” for the Jewish leaders here begin to build a legal case against him, and bring judgment against him, accusing him of crime that will enable them to silence Him.
This reminds me of the beginning of the book of Job, were Satan, whose name means the “Accuser” seeks to build a legal case against Job. The Satanic spirit works to silence Jesus, to obstruct his work of salvation.

This reminds us of that opening prayer of Ash Wednesday, which spoke of Lent as a spiritual campaign, a spiritual battle being waged in us. While we seek to conform ourselves to Jesus through our Lenten penances, while the catechumens seek to ready themselves for the saving waters of baptism, Satan seeks to obstruct the work of God in us, to tempt us away from penance, to close our ears to the truths the Word wishes to speak to us, to hinder us in responding to God in faith.

While we increase our penances, temptation may also increase, forces which obstruct the work of God might conspire against us. So we keep our eyes and our hearts fixed on Jesus throughout Lent, knowing that through his suffering and death, he brings about victory over the forces of evil, and plants his spirit within us to endure suffering and hardship for the sake of the kingdom, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For an increase in faith for the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity.
That the Church might be delivered and protected from all spirits of error, heresy, schism, and unbelief, and that Christians who are persecuted for the Gospel might persevere in faith.
For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.
That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.
That those in need may find assist in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.