The Gospel
John 5:17-30,
Whoever hears my words and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life.
St Gaspar
"Ipse est propitiatio"[1]- Devotion to the blood of Jesus Christ is the foundation of hope in divine mercy: Because Jesus is our "Advocate: . . .we have an Advocate with the Father, [Jesus Christ the righteous one]".[2] Look, he says, "upon the face of your anointed."[3] For if the prayers of the Patriarchs obtained for the people such singular favors, then we may assume the same for ourselves. [Christ] presents his wounds together with his blood which "speaks more eloquently than that of Abel[4]".[5]
Reflection
The Catechumens hear the word of God, and rise to follow Jesus and to profess faith in him. We do the same, inspired by the Word of God, but inspired also by their concrete example of coming to Jesus and professing faith. This is not magic, or something that happens once for all in our baptism. This is a choice we make each and every day. And when our choices are made in conformity to God's word, then we enter onto the path that leads to freedom and union.
This is the criteria of those who want to share the very life of God: that we hear his word, believe, and follow his Way. Jesus describes an intimate communion with his Father, and he invites us into this community, into this intimacy. The Father and the Son are life itself, and we are invited to share this life.
St. Gaspar teaches us that the Precious Blood is the foundation for our hope in this divine life, that God who hears and answers the prayers of all the saints will certainly hear and answer our own prayers for life. He says we may assume the same favors for ourselves.
[1] He is an offering for our sins." (1 Jn. 2:2)
[2] 1 Jn. 2:1.
[3] Ps. 84:10.
[4] Heb 12:24
[5] from "In omnibus divites factis in Illo," a treatise by St. Gaspar del Bufalo, translated by Fr. John Colacino, CPPS
John 5:17-30,
Whoever hears my words and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life.
St Gaspar
"Ipse est propitiatio"[1]- Devotion to the blood of Jesus Christ is the foundation of hope in divine mercy: Because Jesus is our "Advocate: . . .we have an Advocate with the Father, [Jesus Christ the righteous one]".[2] Look, he says, "upon the face of your anointed."[3] For if the prayers of the Patriarchs obtained for the people such singular favors, then we may assume the same for ourselves. [Christ] presents his wounds together with his blood which "speaks more eloquently than that of Abel[4]".[5]
Reflection
The Catechumens hear the word of God, and rise to follow Jesus and to profess faith in him. We do the same, inspired by the Word of God, but inspired also by their concrete example of coming to Jesus and professing faith. This is not magic, or something that happens once for all in our baptism. This is a choice we make each and every day. And when our choices are made in conformity to God's word, then we enter onto the path that leads to freedom and union.
This is the criteria of those who want to share the very life of God: that we hear his word, believe, and follow his Way. Jesus describes an intimate communion with his Father, and he invites us into this community, into this intimacy. The Father and the Son are life itself, and we are invited to share this life.
St. Gaspar teaches us that the Precious Blood is the foundation for our hope in this divine life, that God who hears and answers the prayers of all the saints will certainly hear and answer our own prayers for life. He says we may assume the same favors for ourselves.
- What has been the foundation of my hope?
- Am I optimistic about my own chances for life, or do I have Hope in what God can do? How do I demonstrate this hope?
- How are my choices in conformity with God's will?
[1] He is an offering for our sins." (1 Jn. 2:2)
[2] 1 Jn. 2:1.
[3] Ps. 84:10.
[4] Heb 12:24
[5] from "In omnibus divites factis in Illo," a treatise by St. Gaspar del Bufalo, translated by Fr. John Colacino, CPPS
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