Mk 11:27-33 By Whose Authority Do You Do These Things

In our first reading St. Jude tells us,
"Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the love of God
and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
that leads to eternal life.
On those who waver, have mercy;
save others by snatching them out of the fire;
on others have mercy with fear..."

As we walk in faith, in prayer for help from the Holy Spirit, in Love with the Lord, and follow the precepts of the Christian life, we show mercy and love to others.  In the Gospel today the scribes and Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus in his teachings of love and mercy: those ways of healing.  They ask him by whose authority he does these things.  He tells them that he will give the answer if they can answer whether John's baptism was heavenly or divine.  In the end, they understand that Jesus' works come from the Father in Heaven, but cannot admit it.

Jesus' words and actions lead to eternal life.  He has given us the Spirit as our advocate to guide us toward that life.  May we always show love and mercy to others even in difficult times, and seek understanding and have compassion across cultures, seeking always to find Christ in others. 

Mark 10: 17-27 All things are possible for God

In today's Gospel we encounter the young man seeking Jesus, the Master, "What must I do to inherit eternal life."  We may all seek the answer to that same question.  When we reflect on that question though, don't we realize that we have placed the burden on our selves alone, "What must I do?" as if salvation and the act for it are found within us, as if we have that extraordinary power of God and can do this.  It reminds me a little of an RCIA candidate that I worked with years ago.  She'd worked for a municipality and believed in the black box: if you put something into one side, you get something out the other side.  She didn't understand how that box worked, and wanted to have it for herself so that she could become Catholic immediately without having to go through the process of initiation. 

It brings us back to the question of faith.  Is faith something that we create ourselves?  No.  It is that impuse within us set by God that draws us closer to him and yearn for him.  The young man in today's Gospel say the goodness in Christ, but as Christ willingly admits, that goodness comes from God and is merely reflected in Christ because of his faith and relationship with the Father. 

This story is a great story because it illustrates that we can live a good life being devoted to the Lord, but still harbor those things within us that keep us temporality bound.  Perhaps it really is more possibly for a camel to pass through the eye of a tiny needle than for the rich man to pass into Eternal Life, but thankfully Jesus Christ reminds us that "all things are possible for God."  He sent his only begotten son (an incredible and seemingly unlikely thing) to suffer and die, to descend into hell the be raised (wait, that was only possible for God!), and ascend into Heaven so that we all may be united with him in his glory within the Kingdom.  Jesus in these few words of faith and omnipotence of God brings us right back to the Passion and Resurrection.  Alleluia!  Praise be to God!

John 6:30-35 I Am the Bread of Life

In the Gospel today the crowds test Jesus and ask for veracity that he is who he says that he is by giving them a sign.  This is not unusual.  Throughout the Old Testament prophets tested to make sure that it was truly God that was speaking to them.  In the New Testament even Mary asks for a sign from the angel to know for certain that her pregnancy and child were ordained from God.  In Mary's case she was told that her ancient cousin, Elizabeth, was expecting and in her sixth month, so that Mary could see if it was true for herself, and she did go, and learn the truth that this was indeed for both her and her cousin, a miracle wrought from God.

So today, the crowds press closer to Jesus awaiting that sign, that hope to be fulfilled.  He responds, "I am the bread of life."  He is here, the Word of God, to nourish us daily with that bread that is him, that takes away our sins and leads us to eternal life.  How exciting for them!  for us!--that the Lord has come and the wedding banquet is set and ready for us to partake in it.  This is the gift of salvation through the Resurrection that we continue to celebrate this Easter season.

John 3:16-21 Salvation not Judgement

In today's reading although Jesus is still with Nicodemus, our Gospel writer almost seems to be reflecting of Jesus's mission and purpose for clarification.  "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but have eternal life."  Jn 3:16 

The Son is co-equal to the Father as part of the Holy Trinity.  As the only-begotten Son, he is eternally loved.  So are we because of the Father loves us enough to send us his Son to die for us that we might have eternal life. 

There is nothing that can hold back God's love for us.  Even in our first reading for today God sends his angels to free the disciples of the Son so that they can continue to teach the multitudes about His infinite love and mercy. 

John 3:7b-15 Nicodemus

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who was convinced by the miracles of Christ Jesus, and that he was sent by God.  Jesus' message to Nicodemus was simple:  faith and Baptism are necessary for eternal life. 

Nicodemus is a respected, rich, and well learned man.  Jesus is gentle with his words explaining what he can in a manner that this man can understand and connect the dots within the faith that lives within him.  Jesus is leading him to everlasting life.

As a side note, this is this same Nicodemus who after Christ's death assisted at Jesus' burial (see John 19:39)