Scripture:
Exodus 17:3-7
Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
John 4:5-42
Reflection:
If you knew the gift of God. -John 4:10
What a beautiful reminder for our Lenten reflection! GK Chesterton once reflected what we need most in the world today is a sense of being startled.
We need to be shocked that the God of the whole immense universe wants to invite us into the intimacy with Him.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem! “And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” Lk 19:41. We are told twice in the Gospels that Jesus wept. Once at the death of His dear friend Lazarus. The word in the original Greek New Testament is dakryō which means a tear. When He cried over Jerusalem the word used is more forceful. In the Greek it is klaiō which means audible sobbing.
A tear is one of the most moving things in life. “Jesus wept” John 11:35. What a tear! If only we could save that tear and wear it close to our heart! No need to be harsh with the Samaritan woman for not knowing the awesome gift of Jesus speaking to her. Does Jesus have a tear for my hard heart that often has not time of day for the gift of Himself!
The awesome love of God for us is the greatest gift from Him that we have. Does God have a tear for me? Or is Jesus weeping audibly for my insensitive heart?
We have something even greater than a relic of a tear of Jesus. We have Himself in the Eucharist. We have his body being given to us in real time, tears and all! How beautiful to see so many people going to Mass during Lent!
May the tears of Jesus deeply remind us of our greatest gift from God.
If you knew the gift of God.
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.