"Now is the Son of Man glorified." - John 13:31b
What Would Jesus Do? WWJD, a question for our times; a question whose answer could be amazing in Jesus' time. Think about it as we reflect upon today's Gospel.
In the past I have always been troubled by today's Gospel from John about the impending betrayal and denial of Jesus. What did Jesus do? He speaks words of glorification amidst these troubles, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once." (John 13:31-32) Not exactly a prayerful backdrop to tell his disciples of God's glory.
Which brings me to the Servant Song in Isaiah today, where God tells the liberated Israelites His salvation is for all, "I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6) The Servant represents Jesus. Jesus knows He is facing human difficulty, yet looks beyond to the glory this will bring to God – and we are saved because of his sacrifice. Our times of uncertainty continue in the pandemic, yet we have an opportunity to give glory to God.
WWJD in our time?
Let us echo today's Psalm response, "I will sing of your salvation." (Ps 71:15ab).
Reflection by:
Alan Gauzens
Did You Know...
Alan Gauzens is a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin. There, he is a lector and active in men's ministries including the Knights of Columbus, That Man Is You! and Tap Into Discipleship. A 2019 graduate of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute, Alan and his wife Joanne have been married for 40 years and are blessed with 4 children.
