Word to the Wise
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 - 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." [John]
These words are often quoted in many different contexts than the one in which they appear in the Gospel According to John! The context in John, as we have seen for the past few days, is one of controversy in which Jesus challenges his adversaries who are seeking to destroy him. What is the "truth" that is at the center of the debates? For Jesus' adversaries, the "truth" is the tradition of Moses and the Law which would also contain the story of Abraham, [cf. Genesis 12 et seq]. Jesus challenges whether or not they are being faithful to Abraham or even understand the true significance of that great figure. The debate will come to a great climax in tomorrow's passage.
For the moment, the "truth" claims attention. Is it a set of written propositions, as in the 613 precepts of the Law of Moses? Is it any list of dogmas or doctrines? As Pilate will later ask at Jesus' trial: "What is truth?" The truth is the person of Jesus Christ, who was standing in front of Pilate and in front of the audience in the text and in front of US! Do WE believe that he is the one whom God has sent? That is the beginning and foundation of our faith. Jesus' "word" is Jesus himself and we are challenged to "remain" in him in order to "know the truth" that will set us free. Can we actually capture another person entirely on paper in human words? We struggle to do so and manage to do enough to maintain some identity as friends or Christians. The Creed, the Catechism, the Code of Canon Law etc. are examples! Ultimately it is the person of Jesus Christ as the one whom God has sent that we are trying to express. The debates on the pages of the gospel are not just ancient history. They are a direct challenge to us. AMEN
Comment on Reflection
<< Previous Date [Back to List] Next Date >>