Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent - March 30, 2022

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Isaiah 49:8-15      John 5:17-30

In the first reading from Isaiah we see a gentleness of expression and reassurance of God’s love and protection. The reading invites those imprisoned to “come out” and makes it safe for those in dark interiors to “show themselves.” “For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to the afflicted.” 

The healing images continue in the Gospel reading from John.  We see Jesus as the judge who shows mercy and love. Jesus speaks the word and it happens: forgiveness, judgment, healing, mercy, and love. Jesus says “the Father goes on working and so do I,” daring to speak of God as his own Father and making himself equal to God. Jesus tells us in this Gospel that he cannot do anything on his own. He always keeps his Father as his point of reference. His deepest desire is to please God in everything. This desire is based on love, and their hearts are united in one course of action.

Richard Rohr suggests that Jesus is like a two-way mirror looking in both directions. The Gospel says that just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son “grant life to those he wishes;” nor does the Father judge anyone, he has given all judgments to the Son.  God refuses to view us negatively and Jesus passes this on to all allowing us to bypass condemnation and “pass from death into life.” The message here reminds us that we must not condemn because we have not been condemned. 

St. Therese of Lisieux focuses on one thing-love. Love can be hard; it takes attention and intention. It takes practice to widen the circles of our affections. By allowing God’s love to take possession of our hearts our love is extended to everyone God loves.

Today’s readings remind us that God is gracious and merciful.

Q:  Do I try each day to follow the perfect example of Jesus who lived his life under the direction of the Spirit of God?


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