April 3, 2025

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Lectionary 247

John 5:31-47:

Meditation

Jesus' words and works did not make sense unless understood as part of a divine plan that began with the world's creation. That plan is an ongoing story of people and events, reminding us that God is faithful, even when we are unfaithful. It also teaches us that the faithful God wants to share life with us. As we respond to the people and events of salvation history, we learn more about God, possess more of that life, and live much differently.

La Salette is also an ongoing story. It is about God's people repeatedly being reminded of the faithful God who calls his people to possess more of the life that only he can give. For Maximin and Melanie, it was a reminder that their failure to pray prevented them from possessing God's life.

Over the years, our ongoing understanding of the La Salette story has helped us see that our failures are not the only ones that prevent us from possessing God's life. Social systems can also prevent us from experiencing their fullness. Becoming more aware of God's life begins with personal change, but it goes beyond that and must lead to social change.

Reflection Questions

• Why are you so slow to possess more of God's life?
• Is it because you realize how frightening the prospect of change can be?