Jesus presented a clear picture of what was to come

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ Paul, still on his second missionary journey, goes to Athens, an important cultural center of the world at that time, and filled with those who liked to consider and debate big issues and ideas.

Paul noticed their obvious idolatry and the great number of altars and sanctuaries — even noticing an altar to an “unknown god.”

And so that became his opportunity to try to invite them to know the God of all the universe who needs no shrine or altar or anything, since he is the author and creator of all.

He spoke of God “appointing man,” Jesus, who would have the world “judged in righteousness,” noting that God confirmed Jesus’ appointment by “raising him from the dead.”

And that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The crowd was divided. Some mocked him for this idea. Others were at least curious, and admitted they would like to hear more of this idea.

But in short, this missionary stop with the Athenians was pretty much a failure. In the end, there were some — a few? — who experienced “metanoia” and truly came to believe. Most remained non-believers.

And Paul’s experience was not unlike Jesus’, who noted many times that there were many who would not believe, nor hear nor see.

Jesus again and again spoke of his Father giving him the truth that he wanted revealed. In fact, Jesus proclaims that, “everything that the Father has is mine … and he will take from what is mine and give it to you.”

And those words climaxed when he began to speak to them; and when he told them that he had to leave so that he could send the Spirit — the advocate — who would tell them everything, guide them to all truth, and declare the things that were coming.

It is only John’s Jesus and in John’s Gospel that such a specific and clear picture is presented by Jesus to his disciples of, “what was to come.”

For this reason the church gives to us a super-abundance of John’s Jesus these days, leading up to the great feasts of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost, respectively.

It is for our understanding and our celebration so that we see who we have become. Because of all that Jesus speaks to us in John’s Gospel, we get to own what we have seen, heard, and come to believe!