There is nothing soft about Jesus’ words to his hearers. He stands up against his opponents in contrast to his position. Not only is he a son of Abraham, but he is the one whom Abraham had longed to see and to know.

What is more, Jesus’ identity and pride came from God himself, not from Abraham. He professed knowledge of the unknowable One. Do we, like the Jews in this passage, sometimes find our sense of pride in our heritage, connections, or affiliations—whether spiritual or human—instead of finding our deepest identity in knowing and being known by God, the source of all grace?

To know and to be known by God is this not the heart of the contemplative journey that flows from the Gospel of John? Saint Peter Julian delved deeply into this Gospel. Jesus reveals his identity there and invites us into a more profound knowledge that only God can give. The Father reveals the Son and reveals him to whom he will. Jesus also reveals his Father to those who know him. “You have known me all this time, and you still do not know the Father?”

He invites us to enter into the mystery of the divine indwelling. The Baltimore Catechism (Remember that?) said that we were created to know, love, and serve God. How might I seek to know God more deeply during this Lenten season?

Prayer:

Lord, you wish to reveal yourself and your love to us. Open our hearts to this new covenant once established with Abraham, but now sealed in your Body and Blood.