Readings for Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 65:17-21
The Prophet Isaiah envisions the “New Jerusalem” with the return of the captives from exile. The beatific vision of the perfection brought forth by the return to God is later echoed as the vision of the eternal Kingdom of God.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12a, 13b
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Psalm 30 is an individual hymn of praise In this selection we find the singer praising God for deliverance. In the second part others are asked to join in the hymn and then a return to thanks and praise in the final strophe.
Gospel Jn 4:43-54
This selection from St. John’s Gospel is the story of Jesus’ arrival in Cana in Galilee and the second sign. Here we find the life giving word of Jesus being displayed as the officials faithful response to Jesus challenge provides the setting as Jesus tells him “You may go; your son will live.” This statement coincides with the healing that occurred some distance away.
Reflection:
The idea that God participates with us in life is something implicit in Holy Scripture. Most of the time this involvement of God is subtle, perceptible only after the fact and with reflection, as in the case of the healing of the Official’s Son today. Other times His presence in our lives comes like a blinding flash and, if we are fortunate, we recognize these things a give thanks.
Today in the scripture we are reminded of this participation by the Lord. First we see the Prophet Isaiah, deep in his own prophetic vision, seeing a time when the perfection of God’s Kingdom will be manifested on earth. He sees that all the troubles of our earthly lives will be washed away and the faithful, having opened themselves to God’s will, will live in peace and harmony as God intended. This is about as close to a written description of the plan God has for us as we see in Scripture.
It is clear from the strophes in the hymn of praise of the Thirtieth Psalm that David, the composer recognized God’s active help in his life. He praises God for his own salvation, recognizing that it is not through his strength that he is saved, but through the unmerited intervention of the Almighty Father.
Finally we see in St. John’s Gospel the power of faith in the Word – the Logos. The official, we are told comes to Jesus upon his return to Cana. He has been unsuccessful in his own home because the people thought they knew him as just another home grown teacher who had put on airs. The Lord was clearly disappointed in them when the official approached him. Upon hearing that the Official’s son was on death’s door his first response was: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The official persisted, demonstrating his faith in Jesus as a conduit of salvation. The Lord immediately relented showing the power of his Word - “You may go; your son will live.”
This is a rare occasion where we see the power of that Word. Jesus was not there, present with the sick child. He reached out with his will and the child was healed. It is this strength we call upon when difficulties enter our lives. Indeed we call upon it each time we celebrate the Eucharist as the Body of Christ is elevated and we say “Lord I am not worthy to receive you. But only say the Word and I shall be healed.”
Today we look for the presence or the Word of God in our lives, knowing it is there, knowing it supports us at need. We pray for not only God’s continued help but also for the grace to see His saving hand at work in our lives.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Jesus Heals Official’s Son”, Artist unknown from an illustrated bible c. 1702
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 65:17-21
The Prophet Isaiah envisions the “New Jerusalem” with the return of the captives from exile. The beatific vision of the perfection brought forth by the return to God is later echoed as the vision of the eternal Kingdom of God.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12a, 13b
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Psalm 30 is an individual hymn of praise In this selection we find the singer praising God for deliverance. In the second part others are asked to join in the hymn and then a return to thanks and praise in the final strophe.
Gospel Jn 4:43-54
This selection from St. John’s Gospel is the story of Jesus’ arrival in Cana in Galilee and the second sign. Here we find the life giving word of Jesus being displayed as the officials faithful response to Jesus challenge provides the setting as Jesus tells him “You may go; your son will live.” This statement coincides with the healing that occurred some distance away.
Reflection:
The idea that God participates with us in life is something implicit in Holy Scripture. Most of the time this involvement of God is subtle, perceptible only after the fact and with reflection, as in the case of the healing of the Official’s Son today. Other times His presence in our lives comes like a blinding flash and, if we are fortunate, we recognize these things a give thanks.
Today in the scripture we are reminded of this participation by the Lord. First we see the Prophet Isaiah, deep in his own prophetic vision, seeing a time when the perfection of God’s Kingdom will be manifested on earth. He sees that all the troubles of our earthly lives will be washed away and the faithful, having opened themselves to God’s will, will live in peace and harmony as God intended. This is about as close to a written description of the plan God has for us as we see in Scripture.
It is clear from the strophes in the hymn of praise of the Thirtieth Psalm that David, the composer recognized God’s active help in his life. He praises God for his own salvation, recognizing that it is not through his strength that he is saved, but through the unmerited intervention of the Almighty Father.
Finally we see in St. John’s Gospel the power of faith in the Word – the Logos. The official, we are told comes to Jesus upon his return to Cana. He has been unsuccessful in his own home because the people thought they knew him as just another home grown teacher who had put on airs. The Lord was clearly disappointed in them when the official approached him. Upon hearing that the Official’s son was on death’s door his first response was: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The official persisted, demonstrating his faith in Jesus as a conduit of salvation. The Lord immediately relented showing the power of his Word - “You may go; your son will live.”
This is a rare occasion where we see the power of that Word. Jesus was not there, present with the sick child. He reached out with his will and the child was healed. It is this strength we call upon when difficulties enter our lives. Indeed we call upon it each time we celebrate the Eucharist as the Body of Christ is elevated and we say “Lord I am not worthy to receive you. But only say the Word and I shall be healed.”
Today we look for the presence or the Word of God in our lives, knowing it is there, knowing it supports us at need. We pray for not only God’s continued help but also for the grace to see His saving hand at work in our lives.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Jesus Heals Official’s Son”, Artist unknown from an illustrated bible c. 1702
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