Jesus Cried Out May 10

Prayer
Jesus, we would like everyone to know that we are great Christians and followers of you and your commandments. But, in truth we confess to you that there is much we don’t understand and even more of your teachings that we ignore.

When I don’t hear you or when I ignore you, please get my attention. Jesus, cry out to me today so that I may cry your Good News of love to the world. Amen.

Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/051006.shtml

“Jesus cried out.” John 12:44

Today’s readings have a very important passage. Attend Mass and see if the Gospel is really read as you can imagine Jesus reading it – crying out.

Before you read this important passage, set the stage for today’s reading. Jesus has completed all the signs in John’s Gospel. These signs are written by John so you may believe, Ken. You, too, Peg. And everyone else. That belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God leads to life eternal. If we believe, Jesus promises us that we will “see even greater things than this.” The word “sign” is used only one more time – at the very end in John 20:30-31.

To recap the seven signs:

1) Jesus changed water into wine
2) Jesus healed the Roman officials son who was in Capernaum while Jesus was in Galilee across the sea
3) Jesus healed the paralyzed man at Bethesda
4) Jesus fed 5,000 people from two loaves of barley bread and five fish
5) Jesus walked on the sea
6) Jesus healed the man born blind
7) Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. John 20:31

Sorry for the digression but all these signs come BEFORE the discourse in today’s reading. Then, what comes next is the scene where Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and then gives us the Eucharist at the Last Supper before his passion, death and resurrection.

The humanity of Jesus comes through in this phrase. “Jesus cried out.” He’s telling us that “You’ve see all these signs (and more) and still don’t believe!” Today’s Gospel is Jesus’ last public sermon using words to the crowd. All the rest of John’s Gospel consists of private conversations with the disciples and then the Passion narrative where Jesus’ actions bring about salvation for us all. After Easter, John recounts Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene and then finally to the disciples while they fish.

“Jesus cried out.” This is his last shot. He fills this with passion. If this doesn’t work, Jesus knows what lies ahead – crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, salvation and eternal Life. That cross has his name on it and soon will have his body, too. This isn’t Jesus standing academically in a Presbyterian Church reading politely out of scripture. This is Jesus as a Baptist minister preaching to save your soul.

I hope that if I saw all these signs Jesus wouldn’t have to cry out to get me to listen. But He still does. Jesus cried out.

Action

“Set apart for me Randy and Jim and all the Cursillistas for the work to which I have called them.”

Where is the Church crying out today? Where are we crying out? About what?

About torture? http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/senateTortureLetterConferee100405.pdf

About Darfur? http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/darfuralert050106.htm

About the war in Iraq? http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/iraq0406.htm

About health care for the uninsured? http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/aboutctuw.htm

What is the work Jesus is calling you to do today? It’s not too late! Cry out!