Is 49:8-15;
Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18;
Jn 5:17-30 Full Readings
The Union Between Jesus and His Father
Dear, as we move towards Holy Week and Easter, Jesus is gradually revealing himself of who he is. He does this through his miracles but in today's Gospel he tells the Jews directly about the relationship between and his Father. This means that Jesus called himself the son of God which was the second accusation which led to his death in addition to breaking the law of sabbath. One of the fundamental Christians teachings and the basis of our faith is the Trinity, one God in three persons, each with distinctive roles. In addition to being a redeemer and saviour of the world, Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father, when we see him, we see God, when he is at work, then, it is God who is at work. They work in union with one another and this is what Jesus establishes and tells the Jews in today's Gospel.
Today’s Gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s gospel of healing a sick man at the pool of Bethzatha on sabbath day, a thing against the law. Jesus now reflects on the witness given by the healing to the relationship between him and the Father. This reflection is perhaps the clearest and richest statement of the relationship between Father and Son all in the Gospels. The classic definitions of the early Councils of the Church are couched in terms of Greek philosophy, static definitions. This Johannine passage is a dynamic definition, that is, in terms of will and power and function (the gift of life and judgment). This is much more in line with Hebrew ways of thinking and explaining.
At beginning and end the passage is bracketed by the statement that Father and Son have the same will: there is no distinction in what they desire and do: whatever the Father does, the Son does too (v. 19), and ‘I seek not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me’ (v. 30). In more detail, to give life is the supreme prerogative of God, for no one else can give life. But just as the Father gives life, so the Son gives life (v. 21 and 25). Only the power to give life comes to the Son from the Father (v. 26). This does not mean that the Son is inferior to the Father; far from it, for they both have the same power, though in the Son it is a derivative power.
Similarly, it is also the function of God to judge (v. 22 and 27). The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son. But the Son, in his turn, judges no one, for throughout the Gospel we see human beings judging themselves by their reaction to Jesus. But here again, the Son’s function in judging, though total and absolute, is derivative, for the Father ‘has entrusted all judgment to the Son so that all may honour the Son as they honour the Father.’
Today’s Gospel brethren provide us with the highest theological statements and basis our faith. Jesus is the savior and also revealer of God. If we need to know God, do his will and love him more, then we have to follow what Jesus teaches and what he tells us to do for everything he does and says is the Father’s will. Reflect today on how this theological truth and the wonderful relation between Jesus and his Father is. May this relationship inspire and us be our model in our human relationship especially in our families, in our relation between parents and children.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, thank you for allowing me to reflect on the love that you have with the Father. You have shared with me the confidence and filial trust you share with the Father. Guide me deeper into this relationship, as only you can do. Share with me the intimacy that you have with our Father. May this intimacy be for me a model to my relationships. Amen
May Jesus continue to reveal to me God
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