There is no now

Greetings on this the Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Readings: Isaiah 65:17-21; Psalm 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b; John 4:43-54

Summary

Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the LORD will be with you (Am 5:14). The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left (Jn 4:49-50).

Reflection

O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit (PS 30:4 x-ref Jon 2:7).

Personal Reflection

Faith is personal. Faith is specific. Faith is indispensable. Faith is historical and aspirational.

In our readings today we are given reason to hope. Jesus saves the youngster from afar in the second sign of the Gospel of John. The life of Jesus brings together the promises of Amos, Isaiah and Jonah. He will preserve us in and through death. It is both the NOW and the FUTURE. It’s funny. People say, ‘be in the moment’ or ‘be in the now’. I get their meaning of enjoying and living the circumstances you are in.

Please remember there is no NOW. Now, before you even say NOW, it is the PAST. The future is an image of hope (realistic, unrealistic, dreadful or fanciful).

We base our future on the experience of the historical. For me, I experience Jesus in much the same ways as his miracles of the gospel story (wine when no wine, healing far/close, feeding, taming nature and restoring life). The seven signs are the historical promise of the future for me.

Yes, we say now is the time of salvation. The now of decision making. But it is a moment only. All else is what was done and what we will do.

Reference: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/gospel-of-john-outline-final.pdf

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry