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In today's Gospel account, Jesus notably starts pointing toward Holy Week. Twice (in verses 25 and 28), he states that "the hour is coming." The religious leaders have been protesting that he has performed miracles on the Sabbath. Jesus responds that they're essentially missing the point; they aren't seeing the bigger picture of his words, not recognizing who he is.
This theme of missing the point of Jesus comes up repeatedly in the Gospels and is seen time and again across Christian history. Such overlooking often can bleed into our own lives, diverting our focus and our energy. We are given a chance during Lent to see the bigger picture of Jesus through many lenses, and, thereby to start awakening and seeing anew. Whether it's by slowing down, self-examination, fasting, or other practices, we are working with more intention on our relationship with God, the one who comes into our lives disguised. We are given a chance during Lent to see the bigger picture of Jesus through many lenses, and, thereby to start awakening and seeing anew as “the hour” and events of Holy Week and Easter approach.
In Mysteries of Faith, Mark McIntosh encourages us to recognize that a relationship with God is always available to us; the task, if we accept it, is to pay attention, to be open to seeing the bigger picture. "This story of God's life with us is the deep landscape against which we begin to notice and recognize the mystery of love at work in everything." Where or how are you seeing this mystery in action? And what will you do to advance this mystery?
Sara McGanity
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