Word to the Wise
Friday, April 1, 2022 - 4th Week of Lent - Fri
[Wis 2:1a, 12-22 and John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30]"Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and toreture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him." [Wisdom] "You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." [John]"Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and toreture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him." [Wisdom] "You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." [John]
The Book of Wisdom is dated by scripture scholars at 50 years before the birth of Jesus. The words in today's first scripture are taken from that book and they are downright eerie in their description of the psychology of those who are threatened by prophetic figures. The early Christian community found these words to be a prophetic description of what happened to Jesus.
The Gospel According to John will continue to be the source of the daily gospel scripture up to Holy Week. The gradual dramatic buildup of the tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities foretells a "day of reckoning" which will take place in Holy Week. What is at stake is the very identity of Jesus as "the one whom God has sent." Throughout the Gospel According to John, Jesus uses "I AM" statements which echo the words spoken by God to Moses at the burning bush. (I AM the bread of life, the light of the world, the good shepherd, the vine, etc.). These statements will reach a climax when he says to his adversaries who claim descent from Abraham, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM!" (John 8:58).
Jesus is not just another prophet. He is the Son of God. He has been "sent" in a unique way as the revelation of God's love and word. As we move toward the events of Holy Week, we are invited to be a part of the increasing dramatic pressure of Jesus' identity unfolding in front of us! We can feel the antagonism expressed in the Book of Wisdom which is still part of the world's reaction to Jesus and his mission. Can we be both gentle and firm in our witness to faith in Jesus as the One Whom God Has Sent? AMEN
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