Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032112.cfm

For the Father loves the Son
and shows him everything that he himself does,
and he will show him greater works than these,
so that you may be amazed.

Amazement is a continual state for the Christian. Our sacraments and liturgies; our daily prayers; our scripture study (lectio divina); our dedication to our families, friends, churches, neighbors and fellow citizens; our stewardship of God’s creation; our upright dealings with the world around us; our fascinating human bodies – all of these and more generate awe and wonder in the children of God. This continual state of astonishment is the power of which Saint John speaks:

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. (John 1:12-13)

The Gospel of Saint John is, among other things, a deep study of our relationship with Jesus, and his relationship with the One whom he calls “Father.” It begins with a “Book of Signs,” a series of stories and teachings. These signs – from the miracle at Cana to his raising of Lazarus – prepare us to witness the most wonderful sign of all: his Conversation with God. By that I mean his Crucifixion.

To begin with, Jesus is one born “not by a man’s decision but of God.” Saints Matthew and Luke have told us of his virgin birth. Saint John will explore its meaning more deeply. Jesus' relationship with God is utterly unique; there has never been and will never be another person so blessed as Jesus. He alone is the Son of God.

The fifth chapter of this gospel addresses Jesus’ sonship in God. In many ways it sounds familiar. The father is the master craftsman; the son learns by imitation and perfect obedience:

…the Son cannot do anything on his own,
but only what he sees the Father doing;
for what he does, the Son will do also.

Even restoring life to the dead, which only God can do, belongs to this man born of Mary. However, the Son will receive greater authority from his Father:

Nor does the Father judge anyone,
but he has given all judgment to the Son,
so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.
Whoever does not honor the Son
does not honor the Father who sent him.

This authority to judge is not necessarily to determine who is salvageable and who is not. Not everything that God does is about me! Rather, it is given so that all creatures might honor the Son of God, and those whom he has chosen, and the Creation which bears testimony to him. As Saint Paul said,

For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. (Romans 8: 19-21)

Finally, Jesus contains within himself the vitality of God the Father:

For just as the Father has life in himself,
so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself.
And he gave him power to exercise judgment,
because he is the Son of Man.

That vitality is, as we heard before, the power to become children of God. Jesus’ disciples will see more clearly both authority and judgment -- and will be amazed -- when we arrive at the eleventh chapter and the raising of Lazarus:

…because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs
will hear his voice and will come out,
those who have done good deeds
to the resurrection of life,
but those who have done wicked deeds
to the resurrection of condemnation.

After that incident in Bethany there will be no turning back. Jesus will walk where we cannot now follow. He will disappear into the sacrifice of Calvary. There, in utter astonishment, in that brilliance which is brighter than a supernova’s collapse, we shall witness his total obedience to his Father and his perfect love of us.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends