The Gospel According to John 5:17-30
Jesus answered the Jews, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason, the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but he also called God his father, making himself equal to God. Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, a son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees his Father doing; for what he does, his son will do also. For the Father loves his Son and shows him everything that he does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to his 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. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also, he gave to his Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him the power to exercise judgment because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, 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. “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
Reflection: I was raised by a single parent, my Mom. She had the task of being both father and mother to me and my older sister. Our father visited us randomly on the weekends and lived in another county. Today I was focused on the line “Amen, Amen, I say to you, a son cannot do any thing on his own, but only what he sees his Father doing, for what he does, his son will also do.” I was blessed to have relationships with 2 uncles as I was growing up that helped guide me in my formative years, Uncle Bill, my mother’s brother and Uncle Jack, my father’s brother.
Each one had lived a unique life, were skilled craftsmen in their respective trades and taught me lessons in life and how to treat other people that they would share with me from time to time. I didn’t realize this at that young age but they both inspired me to be the man that I am today. I don’t recall how strong their faith was in God, but as I grew older and they passed away, I realized that they had their own special relationship with God.
The relationship between Jesus and His Father is one of total respect and love. It wasn’t marred by the breakdown so frequently and tragically experienced in our modern families. The relationship here, so powerfully paved a pathway, for me in my relationship with my uncles, to follow. Not only is this a special gift for Fathers to hand down to their children, but also serves as the perfect example for all of our brothers and sisters and everyone that we encounter every single day.
Action of the Day: When was the last time that you spoke to an old friend? This week may a concerned effort to call an old friend or even a relative that you have not spoken to in a long time. Tell them that you miss them and that you love them. Be the Example that Jesus has taught us today.
Audio Reflection:
