Daily Gospel Reflection for May 1, 2014

Today's Gospel: John 3:31-36

In considering the text of today's Gospel, I went looking for some sense of context for this portion of John 3 by reading the entire chapter. The endnotes from the USCCB state of this portion that, "It is uncertain whether these are words by the Baptist, Jesus, or the evangelist. They are reflections on the two preceding scenes."

No wonder I'm confused.

Today's passage follows immediately on the heels of the final witness of John the Baptist (John 3:22-30) and the compelling words, "He must increase; I must decrease." And then we have this straightforward statement on the nature of Jesus that, "The one who comes from above is above all." Whether that line and those that follow are John the Baptist's words, or Jesus' or the evangelist's doesn't truly matter in the end. It's what they say that matters. And particularly the last few lines:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.

Could it be more clear? Believe, obey, and have life everlasting.

Ponder:

Do you ever struggle to truly believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ? What shores you up or encourages you in your beliefs?

Pray:

Father, you sent your son Jesus to live, to die, and to rise for us. You love us so abundantly. Help me to not only profess my love for Jesus with my words, but truly to act constantly out of my belief in you, in your goodness, in your love. 

Copyright 2014 Lisa Hendey