Daily Reflection Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

         "I cannot do anything on my own"

                            Majella LoBello

In this gospel Jesus is making it very clear that he is the son of God and one with the father. He uses the phrase “Amen, Amen, I say to You.” Jesus uses this phrase to bring emphasis to his words. He is reinforcing what he is saying and saying it truthfully. It is his way of saying pay attention people this is important. He reminds them that the great works he does comes from being one with the father. He reminds them that if they hear his words and believe in the one who sent him, they will have eternal life. Then he gives them a glimpse of what is to come of the resurrection. Jesus speaking in this way was unnerving to the Jewish authorities in the temple. They saw God as a God of rules and the law and Jesus was showing a loving father who was compassionate and caring. Sadly, what he is saying falls on deaf ears as they only want to punish Jesus for what he does and says. 

The closing lines in today’s gospel are very powerful. Jesus says “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgement is just, because I do not see my own will but the will of the one who sent me.” Jesus, the second person in the Trinity, God from God, light from light, true God and true man is teaching us the greatest lesson of all. Jesus in his humanity tells us that he cannot do anything on his own because he does not seek his own will but the will of the father. He is teaching us that we also cannot do anything on our own.



How often do we remember Jesus’ words. How often do we follow the will of God? I know there are plenty of times I say “I’ve got this, no problem” and then I stumble. I forget the words of the Lord’s Prayer “thy will be done.” Then there are the times I do what I believe is the will of God and I question God’s will. I forget it all happens in God’s time, not mine, and that I am loved. Maybe during this fourth week of lent we can pray to recognize the will of God and not try to control it. Below is a beautiful poem that reminds us that the will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot keep us.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the grace of God cannot keep you.

Where the arms of God cannot support you,

Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,

Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,

Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,

Where the army of God cannot protect you,

Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the love of God cannot enfold you,

Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,

Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,

Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,

Where the Word of God cannot feed you,

Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,

Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

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