Word to the Wise
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Lent
[Daniel 3:14-20; 91-92, 95 and John 8:31-42]If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
One of the most common dramatic devices in the Gospel of John is the dialogue in which Jesus and another person or (as in today's gospel) group of persons begin on different levels. Jesus will open with a statement that is misunderstood or at least understood on a literal level when he is speaking of a transcendent reality. The dialogue slowly works its way toward a climactic truth which challenges the dialogue partner (and the current reader) to accept or reject the Truth which is Jesus! Understanding Jesus' "word" requires us to go back to the beginning of the gospel to recall that Jesus is God's Word Made Flesh. Thus, he represents, through belief in him, the opportunity to be freed from the slavery of sin or unbelief. To the Jews in this dialogue, the "father" for them is Abraham. Jesus speaks of a father who created Abraham! It is at this moment that they realize what he is saying and try to stone him! The bluntness of the challenge could be offensive in our option-saturated age! We don't like "my way or the highway" challenges! Today's gospel dialogue confronts us with the truth of the Truth! Jesus is the son of God and not only a son of Abraham! This Truth divides us from Jew and Moslem alike. It is the Truth that was at the center of Christological debates in the Arian heresy and other efforts to get around it. Our "options" are to accept this or not. We don't get to design the Truth. AMEN