Homily for Wednesday
4th Week of Lent
March 13, 2024
John 5: 17-30
Salesian HS, New Rochelle
“My Father is at work
until now, so I am at work” (John 5: 17).
The Pharisees Question Jesus (James Tissot)
Jesus opponents have just
accused him of violating the law of sabbath rest because he healed a sick
man. They’re further upset because he
calls God his Father.
Jesus responds to them by
telling them that God continues to work on the sabbath. When he created the world, it was perfect,
and so he could rest on the 7th day.
Everything was done. But after
sin began to wreck that perfect creation, God has to resume his work of healing
and restoration. He does that thru
Jesus, who says, “So I am at work.”
Jesus’ main work is to
give life: “The Son gives life to
whomever he wishes” (5:21). He does that
in part by healing the sick. He does it
more fully by restoring dead people to life, as he did at least 3 times during
his ministry. By his own
resurrection—which we celebrate at Easter—he offers to give real life, eternal
life, to anyone who believes in him and follows him. He can make that offer, that promise, because
he is the Son of the God who creates and gives life: “Whoever hears my word and believes in the
one who sent me has eternal life” (5:24).
To receive that gift of
eternal life—not the life we experience now, with all its sufferings and
afflictions—but real, joyful, never-ending life, we attach ourselves to Jesus
and try to live as he did, loving and respecting everyone and honoring God in our
words and actions.
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