Disclaimer: If you want on or off of this ping list, FReepmail me.As hard as it may be to grasp, this truth that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him is at the heart of our redemption.
Friday, April 2, 2004
Lenten Weekday |
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
|
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18:2-7
John 10:31-42
When we have to reply to anyone who has insulted us, we should be careful to do it always with gentleness. A soft answer extinguishes the fire of wrath. -- St. Alphonsus Liguori |
|
The following is, as usual, from The Word Among Us:
Faithful Jews in Jesus' time were so reverent toward God that they wouldn't even quote Scripture without saying, "Thus says the Lord." That's how careful they were not to take any credit for themselves that really belonged to Yahweh. So you can understand why they were horrified when Jesus told them, "The Father and I are one" (John 10:30).
In answer to their accusations of blasphemy, Jesus used Scripture to show them how he had been consecrated and sent by God to do all the works he had been doing. He challenged them to look at these miraculous deeds as proof that God was indeed in him and he was indeed in the Father (John 10:38). When they still would not believe him, all he could do was return to the place where John the Baptist had ministered to fortify himself and recall the words that God spoke at his own baptism: "You are my Son, the Beloved" (Luke 3:22).
As hard as it may be to grasp, this truth that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him is at the heart of our redemption. It means that whenever we see the cross we aren't just seeing a man, Jesus of Nazareth, dying there. We are seeing the eternal Son of God, the all-powerful Word of the Father, giving up his life for us. Such a sacrifice makes our redemption complete and eternal. We have been redeemed by God himself! No other work is necessary, and nothing or no one can take it away from us.
With this great truth in mind, we can have great confidence before God. Even when we sin, we can turn to him in repentance and know forgiveness, for it has already been given on the cross. We don't need to hide from God or fear his wrath. From the beginning of time, he knew all our inmost thoughts and weaknesses and still he chose to send his Son. And from the moment he was hung on the cross, God was in him, reconciling the whole world to himself (2 Corin-thians 5:19). With so great a redemption, how can we ever doubt our God?
"Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ! You are the Mercy of God. Praise be to you for your cross, which has saved us and continues to deliver us from evil. Thank you, Father, for so great a redemption."
----------
God bless.
AC
