Wednesday Week Four
Reading: John 5: 17-30
‘But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is still working and I also am working.’ For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the Sabbath , but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God. Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Anyone who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.
Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; for he has given authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out - those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation.
Reflection
Jesus had a deep, personal relationship with his Father. He openly acknowledged that God was his Father and that he shared in the works of his Father. This infuriated the Jews and they wished to kill him. It was the desire of God the Father that all people come to know him and have a deep, intimate relationship with him. His son Jesus shared in this mission and offered fullness of life to all who came to him. He healed the sick, raised the dead and offered hope and healing to all in distress. (Matthew 4:23) In all his works he gave glory to his Father and desired that all come to know the joy of union with God. He taught the people a new way of living in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3-12) a code that we too can follow and share in the promises of God. As Christians we are expected to listen for the cry of the poor today and to be partakers in God’s mission offering hope and healing to all in distress. We have to listen with the inner ear of our heart and respond in a timely manner not wasting the opportunities that God offers us. (Psalm 95:7) We are to be partners with Christ and hold firm to the end with Him. (Hebrews 3:13) We will become a new creation and share in the life of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We will draw others to God and God the Father will be glorified. The quality of life of many who suffer will be improved in practical as well as spiritual ways as we lobby governments for just wages for the poor; anti-trafficking laws for the exploited and decent housing for the homeless. The care of our beautiful planet also needs to be given our urgent, respectful attention. Our own lives will be healed as we acknowledge our own wounds and brokenness and seek spiritual or temporal help for whatever weighs us down. The hearts of all will rejoice as they respond to the invitation of Jesus, ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’ (John 10:10) God the Father will be glorified in all his creation.
Prayer
Lord, your Son Jesus had a deep, personal relationship with you.
This was a relationship of deep trust and ever deepening love.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may my relationship with you grow ever deeper;
May I live by your Beatitudes;
and remain firm to the end;
May I be a voice for the voiceless;
and draw many of your little ones to you;
may they share in your joy;
may your name be glorified this day and always, Amen.
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