Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today’s gospel ends with Jesus saying, “I came that [my sheep] might have life and have it more abundantly.” This is similar to a phrase attributed to the 2nd Century Doctor of the Church, St. Irenaeus, “the glory of God is a human being fully alive.” A constant theme throughout scripture is that sin brings death. This is so from Adam and Eve, who are warned that eating the forbidden fruit will result in death to St. Paul’s warning in Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin is death.”
We chose sin and death, and so God sent Jesus into the world to set us free from sin and death, and to restore us to life through his passion, death and resurrection. Our challenge is that sin often tempts us, promising freedom but delivering only slavery. But it often looks good to us, and we may find it challenging to look away. So, Jesus presents himself as the way, the truth, and the life. Let us look to him to show us the way to true freedom and eternal life.
Reflection by Fr. Aquinas Keusenkothen, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections