Today’s Gospel lesson from John 5:31-47 has us listening to Jesus speaking to a group of Jews, who despite having been exposed to his teachings and his works, have not come to believe in him as God’s Son. There are two threads that spoke to me in these words: the first is Jesus’ reference to scripture and the second is his reference to human praise.
I have been guilty throughout my life – as have many others – of trying to intellectualize my faith; to make sense of what is in my heart. Surely there is something I will read in Scripture that speaks resoundingly to me. Something that will seemingly “hit me between the eyes” and make my brain finally understand and fully accept all of God’s existence and teachings. In this reading Jesus says:
“You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to come to me to have life.”
How easy it is to read and think; how difficult it is to have a true, deep relationship with Jesus. To “come to me to have life.” I enrich my relationship to the extent that I practice, as Ignatius did; to read and think is well and good, but partnering that effort with deeper, imaginative prayer that puts me in settings with and in conversation with Jesus.
The other issue raised in this reading reminds me how quickly we fall into the trap of heeding human praise. If others think highly of someone and herald her/his character or works, then I may also jump on that bandwagon. Although Jesus’ lesson here is about accepting praise from others over the Praise of God, as I understand it, my other take-away is to be mindful of the who I revere. Does the person manifest our better angels? Is she loving in the way of Christ? Has he earned human praise for worldly gain? The reading cautions me to look for God’s values and praises in the hearts of those I then honor with my respect and affections.
In this Lenten season and always, let me read and think, but let me also reflect and sacrifice and pray more humbly and more deeply, to be in closer relationship with our Christ. Amen.
Kimberly Grassmeyer
I’ve been an educator at the postsecondary level for nearly 40 years – both as a Higher Education administrator in Student Affairs work, and as a part-time faculty member – at Creighton University and several other mid-western schools. In the midst of that time, I also worked as a consultant to universities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. It is my honor to be closing out my professional life at Creighton, where my professional, personal and faith values dance together in an enriching partnership.
As a seeker and a sinner I am wholly imperfect, which is to say I am the human that God created me to be. My faith is often quite strong; at other moments it is shaken to its core. I am not a scholar of the Bible nor do I consider myself to be faithful enough or wise enough to lead others in their faith journey…. which is why (apparently) my gracious colleagues believe that I may have something of value to say to the other seekers in the world! I hope that my thoughts and provocations may in some measure provide perspective, pause, laughter, grace, and some peace to you.
