God the really REAL

In the text of the gospel of this Sunday (18th Sunday of Year B – Jn.6:24-35),
We hear a question that possibly many of us have secretly asked at one time or another:
“What must we do to do the works of God?”

And Jesus’ answer is short and to the point:
« You must believe in the one sent by God.”

Simple and clear, is it not?
Perhaps… too much so… we may miss the point, precisely.

We are asked to believe:

NOT a list of ideas
NOT a set of articles
NOT a collection of themes
NOT a group of subject matters

but a PERSON – God’s messenger, God himself among us, one of us.
The One who is REALLY REAL.
Yes, it is as simple as that, but as demanding as that.

Recognizing him for who he is,
Accepting him as such
Surrendering to him all that we are and experience from day to day.

Not some purely intellectual assent to truths – no matter how inspiring,
Not only the acceptance of defined dogmas,
but trusting that Man: Jesus of Nazareth – the Christ,
relying on him in all situations,
and clinging to him… as if one’s life depends on it, and it does indeed!

As simple as that, yes, but… once you try to live this… you will see!

Note: Another reflection is available in French on another theme at: https://image-i-nations.com/18e-dimanche-de-lannee-b/

Source: Image: jesushippy.blogspot.com

The word IMPRESSION is used in different ways and has different connotations.
Someone walking in the wet sand will leave a mark, a footprint, an impression.
Leaves pressed between two surfaces will also remain imprinted, or create an impression.

Political figures and business executives are very keen on making a good impression!
Actors and athletes are equally eager to please crowds of fans and create a favorable impression!

These reflections came to me as I read this Sunday’s gospel text (4^th Sunday of Year B – Mk.1:21-28) where we are told:
“His (Jesus) teaching made a deep impression on them…”

A ‘deep impression’ – something that goes beyond the surface to reach the depths of a person.
Is that the way Jesus’ message touches us every time it is proclaimed?

Listening to Jesus preaching, the people in the synagogue of Caparnaum were hearing these words for the first time.
The message was new, the sound of it was original – not a repetition of past teaching.
It did not have a familiar ring to it, it was an unheard of speech, something creative.

They said it openly: “Here is a teaching that is new…”
And they added: “And with authority behind it.”
No wonder it made a deep impression on them – it answered their longing to hear God’s message in a way that we would qualify nowadays as ‘authentic’.

Our situation is very different from theirs: we know well the texts of the gospel, perhaps too well?
For years we have been reading them, listening to homilies, following retreats preached on this and that section of the gospel accounts.
Hearing the first words of a given text, we may say to ourselves: ‘Oh, I know this story,’ and our mind is soon carried away to other more pressing concerns!
Will the text leave a deep impression on us?
Can it really do so in the circumstances?…

One day, I heard someone say that God is ‘the really REAL’ – an unusual theological statement, but how true!
It may be that for Jesus message to make ‘a deep impression’ on us – and a lasting one – Jesus would need to become ‘really REAL’…

Words spoken and written having become THE Word – a person encountered in the flesh of my daily life and experience…

Source: Images: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee whereisyvette.com lds.org

Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-de-lannee-b/

Recherche

image-i-nations trésor

18th Sunday of Year B

Source: Image: jesushippy.blogspot.com

4th Sunday of Year B

Source: Images: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee whereisyvette.com lds.org