The first reading today was obviously written many years after the Ascension of Jesus into heaven! There is already in St. John a development of thought about Jesus, a beginning of "theologizing" about the effects of his life among us!
The point of this reading as John tells us is to relate to us that there is eternal life for those who believe in Jesus; and that there are three witnesses to this reality: the Spirit, the water and the Blood. The Spirit is God's own affirming and confirming contribution to the validity of the claim: the Person of the Spirit does speak, the Spirit does affirm, the Spirit does confirm by enlightening the mind and heart of those who would have it! The water is that which flowed from the side of Christ as he hung upon the cross: it is the proof of the extremity of God's love for us: it is the sacramental life of the Church flowing from the grace of reconciliation. The Blood is the reconciliation; it is that which was poured out for the forgiveness of our sins and so that eternal life might indeed be possible for believers!
This then is great news! Eternal life is not only possible, but it is a reality for those who simply believe not in it, but in Jesus, the person who is it, who is the life and who made this newness of life available to those who believe in him!
The gospel passage today is about the healing power that is also involved in the reconciling ministry of Jesus. Jesus came to heal our spirits, but also our bodies. While freely curing the man of leprosy, he wanted this aspect of his ministry to be kept at a minimum – for he did not come to be a miracle worker – a worker of wonders – he came to be redeemer and savior! But at first people will come out to him and seek him out because they think there is something spectacular to see. Little did most know – that just to behold him was the most spectacular thing of all!
May we behold him this day! May we believe in him this day! May we keep our eyes of faith fixed on the eternal life that he does in fact promise us who believe in him – and may we help as many others as possible come to believe as we do!
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.
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