4th Week of Easter 2019 - Wednesday - Father, Faith, Light, Judgment

The Gospel of John is divided into two parts: the Book of Signs and the Book of Glory. In the Book of Signs, comprising the first twelve chapters of John’s Gospel, Jesus’ identity is revealed through seven specific signs—his power and glory and divine identity are revealed as he changes water into wine, as he feeds 5000, as he walks on water, as he raises dead Lazarus.

Today’s Gospel contains the final passage of that first part of the Book of Signs and Jesus takes the opportunity to summarize his teaching and explain the purpose of those seven signs prior to the second part of the Gospel, which begins with the Last Supper.

Why has he performed these signs? Why is he here? He explains his purpose in terms of his relationship with the Father. He has come not to do his own will, but the will of the Father. He who sees Him, sees the Father. He and the Father are One. His works and signs reveal the glory and power of His Father. To respond to Jesus with faith, to become his disciple, is to enter into a new relationship to God the Father.

Jesus didn’t come simply to dazzle people or coerce them to pay Him homage; he performed signs and teachings to bring people to faith, to reveal the Father’s heart. He wants all of us to recognize the light of God, even in the midst of sin and darkness. Right? He says today, “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” Having been sent by the Father, Jesus comes into a world that is fallen and in the spiritual darkness of sin to reveal that God the Father has not abandoned sinners, but desires their salvation.

Finally, Jesus speaks today of judgment. A person’s final judgment and eternal destiny is being determined by their present response to Jesus. Our response to Jesus carries such weight because of his relationship to the Father as his obedient Son and perfect envoy.  There’s no fuller proof of what God wants from us in this life than Jesus Christ.

The Easter season continues to challenge us to believe in Christ more deeply, to enter into His relationship with the Father more fully, to allow his light to shine in us for brightly, that we may be prepared for judgment and equipped to spread his Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.
For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ, especially for all victims of religious violence.

For our parish, that we may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ.

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.