The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider love in which we are never forgotten, as offered by Christ, and experienced in our relationships with the people close to us.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is an oracle about Zion’s Children being brought home in the liberation and restoration of Zion.
* [49:1–7] The second of the four “servant of the Lord” oracles (cf. note on 42:1–4).
* [49:1] Gave me my name: designated me for a special task or mission (cf. Jer 1:5).
* [49:3] Israel: the servant is identified with the people of Israel as their ideal representative; however, vv. 5–6 seem to distinguish the servant from Israel.
* [49:6] The servant’s vocation extends beyond the restoration of Israel in order to bring the knowledge of Israel’s God to the rest of the earth; cf. Lk 2:32.
* [49:8] You: the individual is not named; perhaps Cyrus or the prophet.
* [49:12] Syene: now called Aswan, at the first cataract of the Nile in southern Egypt. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 49 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God.
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John proclaims the Authority of the Son and identifies Witnesses to Jesus in the Work of the Son.
* [5:19] This proverb or parable is taken from apprenticeship in a trade: the activity of a son is modeled on that of his father. Jesus’ dependence on the Father is justification for doing what the Father does.
* [5:21] Gives life: in the Old Testament, a divine prerogative (Dt 32:39; 1 Sm 2:6; 2 Kgs 5:7; Tb 13:2; Is 26:19; Dn 12:2).
* [5:22] Judgment: another divine prerogative, often expressed as acquittal or condemnation (Dt 32:36; Ps 43:1).
* [5:28–29] While Jn 5:19–27 present realized eschatology, Jn 5:28–29 are future eschatology; cf. Dn 12:2. (John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Matthew Walsh, S.J. comments that for most of us, it is our biological parents who lead, carry, teach and sustain us from our beginnings. As we grow, others also assist in this process, but it is our parents who are there to bring us through these tender stages to the point where we can take care of ourselves—and even take on the process of having and raising children anew.
As I reflect on the metaphors offered in the scriptures today more deeply, I see that the Lord calls me to be grateful for the good I have received through my parents, and others who have nurtured my life of faith. These are expressions of God’s love and goodness. At the same time, I realize that, as good as it is to have a loving family, I am called to go beyond the metaphors and memories of love and care. “Even should she (a mom) forget, I will never forget you.” (Is 49: 15). To me, this means that the Lord not only cares for me, but--as St. Ignatius points out in the Spiritual Exercises—never leaves me without the grace I need for salvation (Spiritual Exercises #320). What is more, the Lord always keeps me in mind, sustaining me moment by moment. The Lord’s love and care for me—and, I believe, for each person—is continuous and unconditional. The love of moms and dads is a great gift; the love the Lord gives is even deeper! (Walsh, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “The wonderful exchange,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Unless the Word of God had first assumed our mortal flesh he could not have died for us. Only in that way was the immortal God able to die and to give life to mortal humans. Therefore, by this double sharing he brought about a wonderful exchange. We made death possible for him, and he made life possible for us." (excerpt from Sermon 218c,1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 5:17-30 comments that there are times when our pride can coax even the best of us into doing what we want without seeking God’s wisdom or guidance first. Following our own will instead of his may seem like the easier path at first, but in the long run, it only makes our lives more difficult—and less satisfying as well, since it leads us away from him.
So welcome Jesus into the situations of your life! Admit your need for him, and tell him that you don’t want to do anything without him. Let him guide you and help you and, yes, correct you when you need it. He wants nothing more than to empower you to do his will!
“Jesus, teach me to imitate your humility. Lord, I need your grace for everything I do!” (Meditation on John 5:17-30, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the oracle in Deutero Isaiah written during the exile in Babylon that promises a second Exodus that will witness the faithfulness and mother’s love of God. The unusual expression of a feminine image of God’s love is complemented by the Father’s love as praised by Jesus in John’s Gospel. Friar Jude notes that the present and future eschatology in the Gospel expresses that we are so loved that the Son dies to reveal this Love.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Jesuit author Patrick Saint-Jean who writes of the reality of racism that violates the desire of God.
In Ignatian spirituality, breath symbolizes both God’s Spirit and the continuous gift of life. The breath embodies our ability to connect body and spirit. When breath departs from the body, so does the spirit. In that sense, breath is both universal and utterly unique to the individual….
Breathing testifies to the Divine Presence within each human. This means that when someone robs another human being of breath, they are denying that person’s most essential dignity. Furthermore, they are usurping God’s place. They are claiming a privilege that is not theirs to claim. To deny breath severs the living connections that are meant to unite us with God and one another.…
Every breath is a reminder of God’s presence; every breath affirms the God-given value of each person’s spirit. In other words, the struggle for breath is a sacred struggle. It is an expression of the Holy Breath seeking to find freedom in our world. (Rohr, 2009)
We remember the people in our lives who love us in the way expressed by Isaiah and resolve to continue to try to love others in that way.
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 49 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/49?8
John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/5?17
Meditation on John 5:17-30. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/03/13/912072/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?8
Rohr, R. (2009, June 3). The Age of Breath. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-age-of-breath/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). My Father Is Working Still, and I Am Working. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=mar13
Walsh, M. (2024, March 13). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/031324.html
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