Our readings today are about signs
and wonders that accompany the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord. It
seems to be God’s way – looking throughout Scripture – to get people’s
attention by using some pretty spectacular signs and wonders. After all it is
easy for him to do – he is God; but he just does not do them to be showy, but
rather to awaken or strengthen faith!
In the first and third readings
today the dead are raised which is a spectacular thing, but of course the
raising simply restores them to the life they knew – and they would have to die
again at God’s “appointed time.” But what is signified more deeply here is the
resurrection that will occur in which things are very different – a
resurrection that would be available to everyone after Jesus suffered torture
and death and experienced this new kind first himself.
Everything that Jesus ever
did, he either did for us, or to show us how to do something ourselves. And so
here he is telling his audience then and now: if you stay close to me, if you follow me, if you listen to my words,
if you put them into practice the best you can – then, resurrection to a
newness of life, and eternal life will be yours! And is not the most
spectacular sign of all!
In our second reading today
Paul tells of a newness of life that comes after Jesus comes to us, calls us,
and send us out to do important work that only we can do (this is what happened
to him): but it is empowered by the same Spirit who raised Jesus from and dead
and will raise us as well!
May we pray today for
continued outpouring of the Spirit so that God can use us for doing exactly as
he wills this and every day of our lives!
Amen!
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