John 11:45-56

Meditation: Do you allow fear or opposition to hold you back
from doing God's will? Jesus set his face like flint toward Jerusalem,
knowing full well what awaited him there (Luke 9:51; Isaiah 50:7). It was
Jewish belief that when the high priest asked for God's counsel for the
nation, God spoke through him. What dramatic irony that Caiaphas prophesied
that Jesus must die for the nation. The prophet Ezekiel announced that
God would establish one people, one land, one prince, and one sanctuary
forever. Luke adds to Caiphas's prophecy that Jesus would gather into
one the children of God who are scattered abroad. Jesus came to lay
down his life for the many, but not in a foolish reckless manner so
as to throw it away before his work was done. He retired until the time
had come when nothing would stop his coming to Jerusalem to fulfill his
Father's mission.
Augustine wrote: "The passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is
the hope of glory and a lesson in patience. ..He loved us so much that,
sinless himself, he suffered for us sinners the punishment we deserved
for our sins. How then can he fail to give us the reward we deserve for
our righteousness, for he is the source of righteousness? How can he, whose
promises are true, fail to reward the saints when he bore the punishment
of sinners, though without sin himself? Brethren, let us then fearlessly
acknowledge, and even openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us;
let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory."The
way to glory and victory for us is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Are
you ready to take up your cross and follow Christ in his way of victory?
"Lord Jesus, may we your disciples be ever ready to lay down our lives
in conformity to your will, to willingly suffer and die for you, that we
may also share in your victory and glory."
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings