Word to the Wise
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 5th Week of Lent - Wed
[Dan 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."
"The truth will set you free!" How many times have we used this expression to suit our own purposes! Here, the "truth" is a person, not an intellectual content or proposition. The Gospel of John uses many different dramatic devices to shape the story of Jesus' encounters with various persons. ONe of these devices is "misunderstanding." Jesus will make a statement that is misunderstood by the person to whom he is talking. This "misunderstanding" leads to further dialogue and teaching. In the encounter which takes place in today's gospel, the antagonists misunderstand the meaning of slavery. Jesus is speaking of slavery to sin and blindness to the truth of who he is. In the process, the subject of Abraham is introduced and what it means to be a child of Abraham. The "truth" finally emerges when Jesus (as we will see in tomorrow's gospel passage, which continues today's) tells them that "before Abraham came to be, I AM!" (Remember the I AM from Exodus!)
Part of the challenge that Jesus issues to his antagonists and to us is contained in the word "remain," which is very important in the Gospel of John. To "remain" here means to establish a relationship in faith that is solid and enduring. It is this kind of relationship that "sets us free." Our freedom is not a physical or political "freedom" but one that transcends those (as important as they may be). This freedom gives a meaning to life that no imprisonment can take away. If we wish to experience this kind of freedom, we must "remain" in Jesus, who is "the way, the truth and the life." [John 14:6] AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
82 ms
4
