April 1

 Friday, April 1, 2022   

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

In this reading, we find Jesus going up to Jerusalem for one of the big feast days. He is in danger, yet he is speaking openly of the good news of God’s message of love. Some did not want to hear, but rather speculate about his origins. He’s not from here. He’s from that other, lesser place. In John’s gospel, there are often different levels of meaning. We know where Jesus is really from, and he confirms this in saying “I have not come on my own… I am from him, and he sent me.”

They were letting their preconceived notions of who Jesus is get in the way of his message, and missing a beautiful opportunity to learn the way of love. As I meditate on these words, I think about times that I have let my preconceived notions of people get in the way of learning what they have to teach me. And also times when I have felt misunderstood, because I didn’t quite fit what someone expected of me.

Each person that I come into contact with really is extraordinary. No matter how much I know about someone, there remains that part of them that is hidden and known only to God. I pray today that I can trust that God’s love for each of us is real, and that when Jesus asks us to love one another, it is because we are truly known and loved by God.

Reflection by Kate Ainsworth-Bowles