Wednesday
Fourth Week of Lent
Isaiah 49: 8-15
John 5: 17-30
In the first reading Israel is in exile
and despondent, thinking that God had forgot them. Isaiah the prophet reassures them that there
are no limits to God’s love, and uses the love of a mother for her child as an example
of God’s love for them. Isaiah says that
God will deliver them. There will be a
new exodus during which God will lead them like a shepherd.
Israel had to learn to trust in God and
so do we!
In the gospel, the religious leaders
complain that Jesus is not following the law of Sabbath rest because he cures
people on the Sabbath. Jesus defends his
curing on the Sabbath and gets the religious leaders to admit that God could
not rest on the Sabbath. If he did the
world would cease to exist. Jesus then
says that since the Father does not rest on the Sabbath, neither does the Son.
The religious leaders understand the
implications of this – Jesus was making himself equal to God and that was
something they couldn’t accept. Jesus continues to tell them that he can do
greater things than miracles. He can
give spiritual life to those who are dead in sin; and he can judge men – giving
life or condemnation depending on whether they accept him or reject him.
This reading is an invitation to us to
renew our faith in Christ as the giver of new life. This Lent we need to let the Lord forgive our
sins and give us life!
By Fr. Bill Kramer
No comments:
Post a Comment