Readings for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 49:8-15
This reading from Isaiah is a part of the second “Servant of the Lord” oracles. In this segment, the servant promises salvation to the captives and light to those in darkness. He has led the people by pleasant and safe paths and has shown mercy.
The response from Zion is “the Lord has forsaken them.” To which we hear the tender response; “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” God’s fidelity and faithfulness is assured.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
This song of praise supports the Lord’s mercy and faithfulness proclaimed in the passage from Isaiah above. His mighty works are proof of God’s omnipotence.
Gospel John 5:17-30
In the Gospel from John, Jesus has already angered the Jews by violating the Sabbath (this passage follows directly the story we heard yesterday about the cure of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda). Now he really upsets them by apparently blaspheming – saying God is his own Father. Almost as if to cement his fate, he makes sure we understand that he did not make that statement casually. Rather he paints a complete analogy of biological father and son.
Jesus goes on to state that the authority to judge the actions and lives of others has also been given to him. The inheritance is complete.
The passage concludes with the promise of salvation to those who hear and understand. That salvation is eternal life. Failure to hear and belief will likewise result in resurrection, but to condemnation.
Reflection:
The oracle of “Servant of the Lord” from Isaiah predicts the statement made by Jesus in the Gospel. The servant comes, according to the prophet, to lead the people by safe paths to salvation. He even predicts the lack of recognition by Zion – they have forgotten God’s earlier mercies in bringing the people out of bondage in Egypt and now cry out that God has forsaken them.
In the Gospel, Jesus has revealed that he is the Son of God in unequivocal terms. He goes further to say that God has willed to His Son the authority to judge and the ability to hand out rewards for faithfulness and punishment for wickedness. Just as Isaiah uses the analogy of parent and child at the end of the first reading; “Can a mother forget her infant…” Jesus makes it clear that he is the Son of God and the power and authority that is the Father is also the Son – clearly they are one; and extension of each other.
From a practical perspective we must ask ourselves; what must we do in response to the scriptural message? The answer is also scriptural, the Lord calls on us to cease our unbelief and believe.
We say to this; “But I do believe.” And the Lord will say “By your actions they will know you.” Today’s scripture reminds us of the promise and encourages us not to forget the good things the Lord has already done for us. He has given us life and we praise him. He has given us the path to salvation and we praise him. He has laid down his human live for us, endured suffering and death so that we might join him with all the angels and saints and be spared from condemnation.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Madonna and Child with the Lamb of God” by Cesare da Sesto, 1515
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 49:8-15
This reading from Isaiah is a part of the second “Servant of the Lord” oracles. In this segment, the servant promises salvation to the captives and light to those in darkness. He has led the people by pleasant and safe paths and has shown mercy.
The response from Zion is “the Lord has forsaken them.” To which we hear the tender response; “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” God’s fidelity and faithfulness is assured.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
This song of praise supports the Lord’s mercy and faithfulness proclaimed in the passage from Isaiah above. His mighty works are proof of God’s omnipotence.
Gospel John 5:17-30
In the Gospel from John, Jesus has already angered the Jews by violating the Sabbath (this passage follows directly the story we heard yesterday about the cure of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda). Now he really upsets them by apparently blaspheming – saying God is his own Father. Almost as if to cement his fate, he makes sure we understand that he did not make that statement casually. Rather he paints a complete analogy of biological father and son.
Jesus goes on to state that the authority to judge the actions and lives of others has also been given to him. The inheritance is complete.
The passage concludes with the promise of salvation to those who hear and understand. That salvation is eternal life. Failure to hear and belief will likewise result in resurrection, but to condemnation.
Reflection:
The oracle of “Servant of the Lord” from Isaiah predicts the statement made by Jesus in the Gospel. The servant comes, according to the prophet, to lead the people by safe paths to salvation. He even predicts the lack of recognition by Zion – they have forgotten God’s earlier mercies in bringing the people out of bondage in Egypt and now cry out that God has forsaken them.
In the Gospel, Jesus has revealed that he is the Son of God in unequivocal terms. He goes further to say that God has willed to His Son the authority to judge and the ability to hand out rewards for faithfulness and punishment for wickedness. Just as Isaiah uses the analogy of parent and child at the end of the first reading; “Can a mother forget her infant…” Jesus makes it clear that he is the Son of God and the power and authority that is the Father is also the Son – clearly they are one; and extension of each other.
From a practical perspective we must ask ourselves; what must we do in response to the scriptural message? The answer is also scriptural, the Lord calls on us to cease our unbelief and believe.
We say to this; “But I do believe.” And the Lord will say “By your actions they will know you.” Today’s scripture reminds us of the promise and encourages us not to forget the good things the Lord has already done for us. He has given us life and we praise him. He has given us the path to salvation and we praise him. He has laid down his human live for us, endured suffering and death so that we might join him with all the angels and saints and be spared from condemnation.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Madonna and Child with the Lamb of God” by Cesare da Sesto, 1515
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