First Reading: Is 49:8-15; Psalm: 145. R. v. 8a; Gospel: Jn 5:17-30

CALLED TO BE ONE WITH JESUS

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Today, Jesus began his lengthy defence as to why he healed the crippled man at the pool of Bethzatha. Jesus’ defence revealed the unity of the Trinity; a mystery that was unknown to his people. The earthly presence of Jesus as man revealed that the Trinity are three distinct persons. And the teaching of Jesus today as he registered his defence before the Jews also revealed that though the Trinity are distinct in persons; but they are however one as God for they act in perfect union with one another.

Jesus’ defence proves this: “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel.” By these saying, Jesus defended his action of healing the crippled man on a Sabbath. For if truly he was doing the bidding of the Father; then he cannot be faulted for healing on a Sabbath. For God is perfect and makes no mistake.

Although the adversaries of Jesus did not accept his defence; but Jesus had just revealed a mystery about himself. Jesus is eternally united with the Father as God; and by this nature he is one with God the Father. This divine union between Jesus and the Father explains the inseparable relationship that should exist between us and Christ. So as adopted children of God in Christ Jesus, “We can do nothing on our own accord, but only what we see Jesus doing; for whatever Jesus does, we are called to do likewise.” This mandate should be our guiding principle. For it is only by observing it that we can prove to be true disciples of Jesus

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Lord Jesus, help us to do the will of the Father always by following in your footsteps. Amen.