the Son also does. The Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does; and he will show him even greater things than these,
so that you will be amazed. As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to whom he wills. In the same way,
the Father judges no one, for he has entrusted all judgment to the Son, and he wants all to honor the Son, as they honor the Father.
Whoever ignores the Son, ignores as well the Father who sent him. Truly, I say to you, anyone who hears my word and believes
him who sent me, has eternal life; and there is no judgment for him, because he has passed from death to life. Truly, the hour is coming
and has indeed come, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and, on hearing it, will live. For the Father has life in himself,
and he has given to the Son also to have life in himself. And he has empowered him as well to carry out Judgment, for he is Son of Man.
Do not be surprised at this: the hour is coming when all those lying in tombs will hear my voice and come out; those who have
done good shall rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. I can do nothing of myself. As I hear, so I judge, and
my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.
Reflection:
Both the readings put together, we have a beautiful
profile of God, with both the maternal and the paternal
in God. Through Isaiah, God speaks as a Mother—the one
who nurses us at her breast, comforts, takes pity on us, thinks
of us always. In the Gospel Jesus speaks of God as the Father—
the one who, out of love for the son, models behavior for
the son, teaches him how to do things, delegates, empowers,
wants the son to take over responsibilities; who delights
when others honor his son. And, in Jesus, we have the perfect
profile of a son/daughter, who delights in being loved; who
loves, respects, obeys, learns from the Father, and gives him
honor for everything one has received. Jesus has such a secure
attachment to the Father that he is eager to share with us his
sonship so that his Father will be our Father as well.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022