PRI Reflections on Scripture • 4-24-24 - Wednesday of the 4th Week of Easter

Finding God In Our Hearts with Msgr. Don Fischer

Gospel John 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
Reflection Jesus is trying to point out, to the Scribes and Pharisees that the one that they are refusing to accept is God Himself. Jesus is filled with God, and God's presence is something the Pharisees do not experience.
They're judgmental. They're constantly condemning people for not following the law. And here is Jesus crying out that He is nothing but light. He wants people to live. He is not interested in condemning anyone. He doesn't want to inflict punishment on anyone. He wants only that they not be in the place they are because sin has its own intrinsic punishment.
To choose darkness is to live in darkness. To choose light is to live in light.
Closing Prayer Father, we always resist something new. But we see in the example of the Scribes and Pharisees the absolute insanity of turning away from that which is life and light. Open us to see and to hear the fullness of your message so we can truly live in and continue to manifest the Kingdom of God. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.