Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Reading I: Isaiah 49:8–15
Psalm: 145:8–9, 13cd–14, 17–18
Gospel: John 5:17–30

Today we continue our Gospel readings from John, which will carry us through to Easter, and it is clear that things are beginning to heat up. Whereas in yesterday’s Gospel the Jews were starting to persecute Jesus, now they are intent on killing Him.
In response to criticism, Jesus sets out to defend His identity as Son of God, and in doing so, He offers profound insights into the very depths of the Trinitarian divine life. In the discourse, He emphasizes that the relationship between Father and Son is one, not of competition but rather, of intimate union. In fact, so intense is the self-giving love between Father and Son that, “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him” (John 5:23).

In just a few sentences, moreover, St. John depicts whole swathes of the salvation drama. On the one hand, the hour is coming when Christ will destroy death at Calvary, and those people currently living in spiritual death “will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” (John 5:25).
On the other hand, a different hour is coming (albeit at a later date) in which “all who are in the tombs will hear his voice” (John 5:28), and they will come out, and they will be judged on the basis of their deeds. Thus in this passage Jesus is looking forward both to Calvary and to the end of the world.
In each case, Jesus plays the pivotal role as guarantor of the fullness of spiritual life. This is the entire purpose for His becoming man (see John 3:16), and it was His entire purpose for creating you. Eternal life, the heavenly promised land: this is our heritage, our birthright as sons and daughters of God. We must settle for nothing less than this.

How do I relate to the different Persons of the Blessed Trinity?

How can I grow in my worship of each?

Reference:

Journey Through Lent: Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings by Clement Harrold