Word to the Wise
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 - 4th Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 12:24-13:5a and John 12:44-50]Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.." [John]
There are many ways of studying the Gospel According to John. Large and detailed studies by such eminent scholars as Fr. Raymond Brown, SS (dec.) are available to anyone wishing to dive in deeply. Those who are less equipped to do this can obtain a good "study bible." We bring to our study all that we know as a matter of faith about Jesus and our own ways of looking at life in general. I have come to view this gospel as a kind of drama in four acts: Prologue, Book of Signs, Book of Glory and Epilogue. Those divisions are common and some authors have commented on the dramatic qualities of the scenes in this gospel when compared with rules and customs of secular dramatic presentations in Jesus' time. Greco-Roman culture produced a lot of it.
With that in mind, the words of Jesus in today's passage are "cried out" and come at the end of the "Book of Signs." They are a kind of summary of Jesus' mission as first presented in the Prologue (light/darkness) and then in the "signs." Each sign points to Jesus' identity and his relationship to his Father and to his being SENT. The response throughout is presented as the difference between belief and non-belief in Jesus as the one whom God has sent. The use of light/darkness, above/below, seeing/blindness and belief/non-belief helps to set the stage for the Book of Glory that begins with the Washing of the Feet of the disciples, the Last Supper discourse, the trial before Pilate, and the resurrection scenes. In the days ahead, the gospel scriptures will come from the Last Supper discourse and invite us to consider deeply Jesus' identity and mission and the challenges of discipleship! Stay tuned! AMEN