Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

As the prophet proclaims God’s faithful love for his people, so Jesus speaks of his union with his Father.

John 5:17-30

¹⁷ In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” ¹⁸ For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.  ¹⁹ Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. ²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. ²² Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, ²³ that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.  ²⁴ “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. ²⁵ Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸ “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. ³⁰ By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Reflection

St. John tells us about how Jesus explains to both his critics and his followers about his relationship with his father. In this passage, Jesus reminds all who hear him of the source of his authority and to whom he is obedient.  Jesus reminds us that to know God, we must first know him; Jesus who is both human and divine.  He is clear when he outlines that life, eternal life, comes from him when we believe in him, hear his word, and do what is good.  Lastly, Jesus reminds us that we, as he, can do nothing on our own.  He tells us that only with God can we hope to rise from our troubles.

Action

Beginning today, spend a moment with God, the Father, asking him to be able to know him better by knowing his son better.  In this moment, simply say, “Jesus, I love you” and “Thank you Jesus.”  It doesn’t matter what leads you to saying these two statements or in which order.  Saying these two statements will lead your heart into your relationship with Jesus.

Rev. Fr. John Bye-Torre, FCM

Pastor at St. Stephen American National Catholic Church