Word to the Wise
Monday, April 7, 2025 - 5th Week of Lent - Mon
[Dan 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62 and John 8:1-11 or, in Year C, John 8:12-20,325]"I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have eternal life... You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my father also." He spoke these words while teaching in the treasury of the temple. But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come." [John]
As Holy Week nears, the gospel scriptures focus on the Gospel According to John and the dramatic development of the tension between Jesus and his adversaries in the religious leadership in Jerusalem. Chapters 7 and 8 feature several separate controversies that are grouped loosely around the feast of tabernacles which included some special lights in the "court of women" in the temple. The statement, I am the light of the world, recalls the light/darkness theme. It also recalls the great I AM of Exodus. The theme of "testimony/judgment" features Jesus as the one whom the Father has sent. And the theme of Jesus' "hour" appears at the end of the reading. There will be more controversy in the gospel scriptures from the Gospel According to John in the days ahead.
The rather "stream of consciousness" character of this gospel is a challenge to reflection because so much is woven into the various encounters. One may pick and choose a particular word or theme to follow, or one may step back and see the drama as a whole. Each of the four gospels is a "preaching" of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The feast of the tabernacles, the setting for today's gospel, refers originally to the shelters used by harvesters during harvest time. One may go to any of the four gospels for reflection during these last days of Lent, but the Gospel According to John is liturgically prominent with its vivid encounters and themes. I have in mind a "food festival" with different food cultures. One may sample all the booths or stay with a favorite. It would be strange to go away still feeling hungry! AMEN
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