Post-feast of the Ascension; Our Venerable Father Bessarion the Wonderworker (457-74); Venerable Hilarion the New (845-46)
Read
Acts 25:13-19; John 16:23-33
The Gospel of John isn’t easy to understand, and today’s passage is no exception. Halfway through the passage, the disciples announce that they have finally understood Jesus – but when I read those words, I couldn’t help but think, “what do they understand that I don’t?” Even Jesus’ subtle criticism of their supposed understanding isn’t much comfort: even if their imminent flight from Jesus shows they don’t get who he really is, I still want to understand what Jesus is saying. It’s hard not to get frustrated!
One thing that does help when reading John is to find words that are used repeatedly. In today’s gospel, the word “Father” appears seven times. This is significant for at least two reasons. First, Jesus shows how the God of Israel is the Father – not just a Father in a metaphorical sense, but THE Father, the one who eternally begets the Son. We’re so used to thinking that the Bible uses metaphorical language, but actually, it’s our human fathers who are metaphorical images of who He, the original Father, really is. Secondly, Jesus shows us that he is the way of having a relationship with God: Jesus is our bridge to the Father. This is true both for our prayers, which we offer to the Father through Jesus, and also for our knowledge of the Father’s love for us, which comes most profoundly through Jesus, who came from the Father to this world, and returns to the Father to intercede for us, assuring us of the love of the Trinity.