3rd Week in Easter, Thursday – 22nd April 2021 — Gospel: John 6,44-51
Great Mystery and Blessed Reality
Jesus summarized the entire salvation process as driven from above. In strong terms, He stated that no man could come to Him unless the Father drew him. He goes on to explain how the Father draws all men. First of all, quoting from Isaiah 54,13, “And they shall all be taught by God”, and mentioning “it is written in the prophets” (Jn 6,45) Jesus gives evidence to His teaching from the prophetical teachings. This thought that has explicit reference to Isaiah is found throughout all the prophets. God does not simply choose individuals but speaks to their hearts through the teaching of His precious Word. Therefore, it is by the teachings of God’s Word and God’s Spirit that people are drawn unto Himself. It is God who reaches out to humans and touches them, and communicates to them the truth of His existence and the truth of His great, eternal love. Secondly, man’s own responsibility is involved. Those who “listen” to the teaching of God’s Word and “learn” from the Father are the ones who come to Christ. Coming to Jesus starts with listening. Listen to the Father and learn from Him. If one has not learned something from God’s teaching, then one hasn’t learned much about the true meaning of life. Paul says, it is by the Word that we see God and receive the faith to come to Christ and trust in Him (Rom 10,17). Indeed, it is a great mystery and a blessed reality bestowed upon God’s chosen ones. Thus Jn 6,45 places side by side the two great truths of God’s sovereignty and man’s choice. It shows that salvation has a divine side (God’s teaching) and human side (our response) as well.
