Word to the Wise
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 - 4th Week of Lent - Tues
[Ezek 47:1-9, 12 and John 5:1-3a, 5-16]"Do you want to be well?" [John]
I have often commented on the dramatic quality of each encounter with Jesus in the Gospel According to John. Each one could be a separate play. And the evangelist or Jesus comments on the encounter each time. The encounter with the sick beggar at the Pool of Siloam is no exception. Because Jesus heals the man on a sabbath, he is confronted by Jewish authorities because healing was considered "work." The confrontation will allow Jesus to speak to the meaning of his "work." That will present itself tomorrow (Wed.) for consideration. The "existential" question is the one Jesus asks of the sick man: "Do you want to be well?"
On this level - the level of the question - we can reflect on our own situation. Jesus enters the life of the sick man without any request on the part of the man. In fact, the sick man misunderstands (or deliberately avoids) Jesus' question with an excuse. The man has been sick for 38 years. The implication of the story is that he has been there all or most of that time. Has he made a "life" out of being sick? Does he really want to be well? Jesus confronts him with the words: "Look, you are well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may happen to you." He shows his gratitude to Jesus by "tattling" to the religious authorities that Jesus healed him (which could distract them from his own infraction of carrying his sleeping bag!!).
If Jesus comes into our own life, uninvited, and asks, "Do you want to be well?" what do we say? Our lifetime behaviors and attitudes are in question. Do we offer excuses? Hia presence could be in the form of a concerned friend. Is our response, "Look! Mind your own business!"? Are we afraid to let Jesus "work" on us? That could make for a very fruitful Lenten reflection! AMEN
Comment on Reflection
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