One Minute Reflection – 3 April – Wednesday of the Fourth week of Lent, Year C, Gospel: John 5:17–30
Jesus answered them, “My Father is working still and I am working.” This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father...John 5:17-18
REFLECTION – “Father – with this word I express my certainty that someone is there who hears me, who never leaves me alone, who is always present. I express my certainty that God, despite the infinite difference between Him and me, is such that I can speak to Him, may even address Him familiarly as “thou” (German du).
His greatness does not overwhelm me, does not reject me as insignificant and unimportant. Certainly I am subject to Him as a child is subject to his father, yet there is such a fundamental similarity and likeness between Him and me, yes, I am so important to Him, I belong so closely to Him, that I can rightly address Him as “Father”.
My being born is not a mistake, then but a grace. It is good to live even though I do not always perceive it. I am wanted. not a child of chance or necessity but of choice and freedom.
Therefore, I shall also have a purpose in life, there will always be a meaning for me, a task designed just for me, there is a conception of me that I can seek and find and fulfil. When the school of life becomes unbearably hard, when I would like to cry out as Job did, as the psalmist did – then I can transform this cry into the word “Father” and the cry will gradually become a word, a reminder to trust, because from the Father’s perspective it is clear that my distress, yes, my agony, is part of the greater love for which I give thanks.”…Pope Benedict XVI
PRAYER – Almighty God and Father! We give You thanks for cleansing our hearts and strengthening us in love through the Holy Spirit. May we always be grateful for all the goodness You have shown us and may we bear our trials with patience. You gave us Your only Son, in His life You have shown us the way of love, teach us to follow His steps in the great and small events of our life. Move us always to hear the cries of our brothers. May the prayers of all the angels and saints and the guiding hand of our Mother, the Mother of Christ, grant us strength. Through Jesus our Lord, in the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.
AnaStpaul 