On Thursday, we once again jumped ahead two chapters, now to John 14 (vv. 6-14) as we celebrate the feast of the two apostles Philip and James (the gospel reading replaced for the day [Jn 13:16-20] was the conclusion of Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper in which Jesus reinforces the fact that they should follow His example).  Fittingly, the gospel features interaction between Jesus and Philip.  The reading starts with Jesus responding to Thomas’s question about how the apostles are to follow Jesus if they don’t know where He is going.  Jesus responds that He is the way, the truth, and the life who leads us to the Father.  Philip then says that the apostles want to see the Father and Jesus responds that He and the Father are in each other and that the works the Son has done are from the Father.  Believers in Jesus are promised to do even greater works and that their prayers will surely be answered.  Do we have the sort of confidence that we will get what we ask for?  We should have complete trust that we will.  Does this mean that our desire to win a big lottery prize will be fulfilled?  Probably not.  Or that we will never be sick again from this day forward.  Unlikely.  What Jesus wants is that we conform our wills so perfectly to what the Holy Trinity desires of us that we will recognize that what happens in our lives is exactly what we need: “Your will be done on earth as in heaven” (Mt 6:10).  If Jesus can cry out in His agony in the garden, “Not my will but yours be done” (Lk 22:42) then how much more should we ask for what we need according to the perfect will of God?

Wednesday’s gospel jumps from John 10 to the end of John 12 (vv. 44-50).  This occurs after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead followed by His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  In this day’s reading, Jesus speaks of Himself as the light come to dispel the darkness.  He has not come to judge the world, but if one does not follow His teaching, received from the Father, this word itself, which gives eternal life, will condemn.  A continuing theme in these posts has been that belief in Jesus is more than just an acknowledgment of His claim as Son of God and assent to the fact of His saving death and resurrection.  If we believe, then we must obey, or at least constantly strive to do so.  But in order to even get this far, we must know the Word.  Divine revelation comes to us through Scripture and Tradition safeguarded by the teaching authority of the Church established by Christ.  Let us never stop reading, praying, and meditating upon the Bible.  A daily devotion of reading some scripture, especially if it can be done in the context of Holy Mass, is of immeasurable value to our growth in holiness.  Learn the faith.  Start with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, but also find some good books on doctrine, spirituality, prayer, as well as commentaries to enrich your knowledge and experience.  On a natural level we want to learn as much about the ones we love as possible.  How much more should we wish to know about our supernatural Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.

The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker is an optional memorial but is celebrated widely.  The gospel reading for it comes from Mt 13:54-58:

Coming to His own country Jesus taught them in the synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brethren James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all His sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” And He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

There is a danger in getting “too comfortable” with Jesus.  We believe — but to what extent?  Do we believe Jesus is in charge of our lives?  Have we even put Him in charge?  Are we disappointed or even angry and resentful when we are not granted some wish, even though we may be turning to Him only in moments of need, while otherwise settling comfortably into our secular lives, clinging to our “acceptable” sins and vices?  How is Jesus to do a “mighty work” in our lives if we give Him so little of our time or ignore Him outright?  Certainly the people in Jesus’ hometown had illnesses that they wanted cured.  Some believed in the power of Jesus and were healed.  But even upon seeing this, most could not bring themselves to faith in this One who had been so close to them for so many years.  Today’s feast celebrates the carpenter who fostered God’s son and was totally dedicated to Him and His mother, devoting his life in a very real and sacrificial way to them.  We are called to emulate Joseph who, unlike his fellow villagers, never let familiarity breed contempt but rather worked tirelessly for Jesus until his death.

The gospel reading for this day in the Easter season (Jn 10:22-30) immediately follows the Good Shepherd discourse of the last couple days.   We are told that the feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) was taking place and Jesus is in Jerusalem for it.  In the temple area, Jesus is asked by the Jews to tell them plainly if He is the messiah (“the Christ”).  In reply, Jesus keeps with the shepherd/sheep theme by saying that those who belong to (i.e., believe in) Him know from His words (like sheep know their master’s voice) and from His works who He is and have eternal life because of it.  Jesus is doing the Father’s works and in fact declares: “The Father and I are one” (v. 30).  The questioners do not have faith so are blinded to this reality.  Yet, in Jesus’ words at the top of this post, those who acknowledge Jesus as Christ and cling to that truth are enlightened and cannot be led afield by falsehood.  It is only when we stray from His loving and protecting hands that we put ourselves in danger.  Like sheep, we must have a single-minded devotion to our Shepherd who wants only what’s best for us and who laid down His life for us so we could have the hope of eternal happiness in the heavenly sheepfold.  Take time to listen to that voice in prayer, Scripture, and His Church.

Today’s gospel (Jn 10:1-10) is actually the run up to yesterday’s reading.  Here Jesus begins the analogy of Himself as the good shepherd who not only cares for His sheep but even acts as the gate to these sheep to protect them.  Any who don’t come through Jesus are “thieves and robbers” (v. 8) come to do ill and harm.  But Jesus “came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (v. 10).  A key point to this whole discourse is one made by Jesus in the headline.   This is a trait from sheep that we need to embrace.  To be undivided followers of the Lord, we must not go astray and listen to voices offering an alternative to Jesus.  Temptation waits but we must resist.  What looks good or pleasing for immediate sensual satisfaction often is not for our ultimate good.  And we usually know it, if not ahead of time, then certainly in the regret that almost immediately follows (cf. Rom 7:15, 19).  Scripture and the Church provide the means to true and lasting happiness.  More than a dozen time in the gospels, Jesus says, “Follow me.”  When He does so He is talking about these things as well.  Jesus is the Word (Jn 1:1).  Jesus is the Church, the Body of Christ (Acts 9:4, 22:7).  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6).  Do not be deceived by the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Seek what is lasting: follow the good shepherd who wants what’s best — and knows what’s best — for His flock.  In this obedience to the truth there is the freedom of God Himself.

The gospel reading is appropriate for this “Good Shepherd” Sunday; we jump ahead in John to chapter ten (vv. 11-18).  This is actually the second part of the Good Shepherd discourse (we will hear the first part tomorrow) as we continue to work through John (with one detour for the Solemnity of the Ascension) for the rest of the Easter season (ending on Pentecost).  Jesus declares Himself to care so deeply for the flock He guides that He will lay down His life for them unlike a hired hand who will elect to save himself when there is trouble.  Jesus also speaks of other sheep who “do not belong to this fold” (v. 16) who recognize Him and will eventually join the flock (i.e., the Gentiles).  Finally, He says that he will lay down His life and take it up again because the Father commands it.  His first words after declaring “I am the good shepherd” (v. 11) are found in the headline.  We know that in fact Jesus does lay down His life for His sheep (all of humanity) but this message is shocking to His hearers at the time (as we shall soon see).  It helps to appreciate the contrast between sheep and shepherd.  Sheep are not particularly intelligent but they know their master’s voice and follow it unhesitatingly, becoming lost if not given direction.  The shepherd, of infinitely more value than the sheep, if he is good, protects the sheep from marauding enemies, even to the point of putting his own life in danger.  Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, not only is our good shepherd but condescends to become one of the “sheep” (the gulf between God and man is infinitely greater than the difference between man and sheep) to become “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29).  In unfathomable humility, He becomes one of us to take the punishment we deserve and in return only asks that we obey Him.  Let us always seek to understand the Lord’s will for us and strive to follow it perfectly.  Prayer in conjunction with divine revelation given to us through the Church (most perfectly combined in the Mass) provides the road map for hearing and following the irresistible voice of the Master to ensure that we never get lost.

The profound Bread of Life discourse ends today with the last verses of John 6 (vv. 60-69).  Now its the disciples themselves who are having a hard time with Jesus’ words regarding the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood.  Jesus does not back down though, and many disciples leave Him to go back to their former lives.  When Jesus turns to His closest collaborators, the Twelve, and asks them if they also wish to leave, Simon Peter speaks up for them with the words at top.  Some have commented that Peter’s initial question almost indicates that he is looking for a suggestion from the Lord since they don’t understand Him either.  But he quickly follows up with an affirmation of belief.  Peter knows, as should we, that no other person or thing will ultimately satisfy the interior longing for God put there by God Himself.  We may not always comprehend perfectly everything about our Faith (although we should be serious life long learners) and we certainly don’t always understand why certain things happen to us (and we may never know in this life), but we can be sure that Jesus, the good shepherd (see tomorrow), never leads His flock astray.  So stay close to the Lord, trusting in Him fully, listening to His words, and continuing the struggle to follow them perfectly, so that we may have the hope of attaining eternal life with the “Holy One of God” (v. 69).

As we approach the climax of John 6, today finds Jesus responding to the Jews incredulity by reiterating and ramping up His assertion that His flesh and blood must be consumed in order for eternal life to be gained (Jn 6:52-59).  In the last verse we find out that this teaching in happening in Capernaum’s synagogue, thus adding to its authority.  The vast majority of Christians have believed from the beginning that, at the time the Eucharist is confected in the Mass, the bread that was there becomes the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ, with only the appearances of bread remaining.  What a precious gift from our Lord who promised to be with us always (Mt 28:20)!  If a true appreciation for what Jesus instituted and continues to do for us was had, no Catholic would stay away from Sunday Mass, and many more would be attending daily Mass.  And for those of us who do understand the importance of Christ’s Real Presence, we want everyone else to receive this gift as well.  This is why it is not good enough to be apathetic about or conciliatory toward those who do not believe.  We should want everyone to have the fullness of truth and life that comes with the Church and its sacraments, and especially the Sacrament.  Most, if not all, converts to Catholicism will say that a proper understanding leading to belief in the Eucharist was key to their entering the Church; they found that they could not stay away any longer.  Reverts will say, to a person, that it was a lack of appreciation for the Eucharist that allowed them to drift away (or storm away) from the faith of their birth, and a renewed conviction regarding It that was key to them on the journey home.  Let us never take the Eucharist for granted, let us never receive it unworthily, and let us never fail to give thanks (after all, that is what “eucharist” means) for this great gift.

As we move into the Bread of Life discourse in John (6:44-51 today), it is worth briefly covering what we missed due to a feast day.  Yesterday, in vv. 35-40, Jesus reiterates that He has been sent by God the Father to give eternal life to those who believe in Him; and He adds that for believers He “will raise them up on the last day” (v. 40).  What follows (vv. 41-43) is not in the daily readings but is instructive as a bridge to today’s passage: the Jews  in the crowd murmured because Jesus claimed to come from heaven because they knew Joseph (mentioned by name) His (foster, unbeknownst to them) father and mother.  We find Jesus’ response today.  In it, He does not address the Jews’ concerns directly but appeals to their prophets (see the headline for a strong allusion to Isaiah 53), of whose writing they know well and who foretold of the Messiah’s (Jesus’) coming (cf. Lk 24:27).  He then invites them to faith in Him, restating that He is the bread of life come down from heaven to give eternal life, and that “bread” is His flesh (which, as we will see, scandalizes the Jews).  Jesus’ appeal to the prophets, and ipso facto, the Word of God is instructive for us.  Faith is a gift from God.  But so are the Bible and the Church.  Like the Jews of Jesus’ day, we are not called to a blind faith.  God has given us the great gift of divine revelation to grow in knowledge, understanding, and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Through this conversation our Lord wishes to have with us, our faith will only be strengthened as we come to grow closer to Him.  And we will be better evangelists too, as we follow St. Peter’s call to “[a]lways be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1 Pt 3;15).  We can do this daily through prayer, reading of Scripture, learning the Catechism, and reading good books.  Let us never miss an opportunity to “be taught by God.”

We step away from John for today because it is the Feast of St. Mark (the Evangelist).  Fittingly, we read the last verses of his gospel (Mk 16:15-20), as Mark does his part to fulfill Jesus’ words to “proclaim the Gospel” (v. 15) through deed and writing.  It is also appropriate because we are still in the Easter season and we finally get to read Mark’s account of the last words of Jesus before His Ascension.  Jesus says that those who believe and are baptized will be saved, but unbelievers will be condemned.  Signs that will accompany the Eleven: exorcisms, healings, speaking in tongues, and imperviousness to poison.  Jesus then ascends to heaven and the Eleven go to preach “everywhere” (v. 20).  This call to spread the Good News is not confined to the apostles, their successors, or to clergy in general.  We are all called to evangelize.  This starts with getting one’s own house in order (cf. Mt 7:5).  This does not mean one has to be perfect to share the Gospel (else no one would be able to), but it does mean that we make a sincere and concerted effort to prepare for this important work for the Lord through prayer, Confession and Holy Communion, reading of Scripture, and learning the Faith.  Doing these things not only helps us to lead exemplary lives, but it also prepares us to share the Faith with more sincerity, knowledge, and confidence.  God gave us Revelation and entrusted it to His Church for our benefit — so that we would know Him better and love Him more deeply.  May we come to a greater appreciation of these gifts and freely share them with others as they were freely given to us.