Lenten Reflections

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By Fr. Iain MacLellan, O.S.B., Chapel Art Center

It is hard for us to see how the Gospels vary, but it is important to take the time to let the distinctions seep out of the various narratives, and to allow the questions we might have to arise naturally and be pondered, savored, and answered in some way.

The Gospel of John, most know, is a different Gospel. It is not one of the “synoptic” (“same eye”) Gospels, so named because the Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke used the same sources in scripting their Gospel narratives. The language and style of John’s Gospel is more mystical, with a different “audience” than the other Gospels.

In many ways, the Gospel of John “rises to the occasion”, one could say, of Jesus’ having come from high above us. He is one of us, but he strongly identifies with God whom he calls “my Father” in a very special way. John’s gospel emphasizes that Jesus was sent to us from God, whom Jesus calls Father. In this way, it seems to others that Jesus is exalting himself, when in fact, Jesus is simply telling the truth. He has existed as part of God from the beginning. Hence his repeated “I AM” status throughout the Gospel.

Naturally, this presents a great challenge to his contemporaries, particularly the learned ones. In today’s passage, Jesus has offended, and an ensuing misunderstanding moves the dialogue. Jesus makes some radical statements, as he is known to do, and in this instance the anger against him is cresting to a point of real violence. (They have picked up stones to throw at him.)

How can this be a good message?

For us, in our daily life, the Gospel comes in pieces. At times there are passages which are heavy and rough, and hard. This is one of them.

I have often thought how Gospel passages are like bricks. All alone, they can seem useless. But when laid side by side, with other bricks, they make a pathway. At times, we have to look at scripture passages innovatively, as always useful by way of their potential, to be a weight of truth for a singular moment, or as a part of a larger truth, making a useful pathway to some endpoint revelation.

Jesus “came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) This notion comes not too long after today’s passage in Chapter 8. Life can be a struggle, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leads his sheep—who cares for his sheep “who know him as he knows them.” (John 10:14-15) Jesus comes to explain how his knowledge of his Father relates to his knowledge of us, and our knowledge of him. Jesus’ coming has offered us a new way of faith, which allows us to believe that the love of the Father, and of His Son, creates for us the Holy Spirit, for us to be one in love.

“In the same way that a transparent body, upon receiving a ray of light, becomes resplendent and shines out, so the souls that are borne and illuminated by the Holy Spirit become themselves spiritual and carry to others the light of grace.”

Saint Basil, De Spiritu Sancto