Breaking the Word

4^th week in Easter Time, Wednesday – 11^th May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 12,44-50

Fundamentals to Believe 

Jesus gives four reasons why the non-believers should believe in him. First, Jesus is one with the Father (Jn 12,44-45.49). Father and Son are so closely identified that to believe in Jesus is to believe in the Father and to see him is to see the Father. Jesus asserted his essential unity with the Father even much before this section (Jn 10,30.38; 8,19). Second, Jesus is light (Jn 12,46). As light, Jesus not only dispels darkness from this world, but enlightens all men (Jn 1,4-5.9; 3,19-21; 8,12; 9,5). This is the primary reason why Jesus came into the world, to redeem those who are in spiritual and moral darkness. Third, to reject Jesus words is to face his judgement on the last day (12,47-48). Jesus states these truths that have been repeatedly taught in the Gospel (Jn 3,17-18; 5,22.45-47; 8,15-16; 9,39). This is his final warning to those who reject him. Therefore, he emphasizes on the judgement that will take place on the last day. Jesus also offers a sure way to escape that awful day: to believe in his word and the Father who sent him (Jn 5,24). Fourth, Jesus was the faithful messenger of the Father who sent him. He emphasizes twice that Father is the ultimate authority and source of all things. Jesus’ authority came from God and the word he spoke also came from God. He gives to the world God’s commandment to believe. And this commandment focuses on the most important matter of all, namely, eternal life. Therefore, believe in Jesus, because He is one with the Father; He is the light; His words will judge all those who reject them; and He gives Father’s commandment that is eternal life.

4^th week in Easter Time, Tuesday – 10^th May 2022 — Gospel: Jn 10,22-30

Season as Reason

John’s Gospel is rich in providing signs to direct minds and hearts. Every word has meaning. “The feast of the dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.” Winter symbolizes many things: cold and severe, waiting, end, death, a precursor to spring and its new life. Winter is commonly bad weather for this feast. The season is given as a reason why Jesus walked about in Solomon’s portico and not in the open air. The portico of Solomon was on the east side of the Temple and offered protection from the cold winds of the desert. The phrase “it was winter” means that hostile religious leaders are about to “corner” Jesus as He walks in the temple. Those who opposed Jesus gathered around him to debate and cause confusion among the crowds. Those who were not Jesus’ sheep were there to do battle. Jesus was walking about looking into the cold hearts of those who had come from distant lands.  In another sense, it also means that the long awaiting for the Messiah was coming to an end. Through the stormy weather, death would soon be defeated. The winter of Satan’s reign would soon pass into the spring of Jesus’ kingdom.