Scripture: Wisdom 2:1.12-22. Psalm 34:17-23. John 7:1-2.10:25-30:

Through the discoveries of the Dead Sea Scrolls we know of a Righteous
Teacher who was esteemed by the Qumran community. In many ways he is
persecuted by his own people that resembles what is occuring in the fifth
chapter of John which we listened to for the past two days of Lent. I
recall how Jesus was considered to be uttering blasphemy for saying that he
is the Son of God and that he and the Father are one. In Wisdom 2:16 we
have a similar thought from the righteous person who is being persecuted by
those who are envious of his fidelity to the Torah and the Prophets. He is
said to be boasting about his relationship to the Father just as the
Teacher of Righteousness does at Qumran. The following passage shows
this:"Until I am old Thou will care for me; for my father knew me not, and
my mother abandoned me to Thee, for Thou art a Father to all (the sons) of
Thy truth." (IQH 9:35). Scholars are not in agreement about whether the
Teacher of Righteous was crucified. I did think of the passage from our
first reading being related to the same type of vituperative language used
against Jesus and imagined it similar to what his opponents would be saying
in their inmost thoughts about him. I saw a similar motivation and
intentionality on the part of those who are arguing with Jesus and even
secretly plotting against his life. The inner dialogue of the unrighteous
reveals all of their sinful intentions and supplements what Jesus says in
his discourse as he explains and witnesses to them who he is in
relationship to God the Father. Wisdom 2:16 reads, "He calls blest the
destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father...Let us condemn him
to a shameful death." Today's readings jumps ahead to chapter 7 in John
and skips the discourse on the Bread of Life. We see that Jesus is aware of
the opposition and takes care not to fall into their hands. His hour of
suffering, death, and resurrection and yet to come. It is John who
presents the theme of "hour" as a way of metaphorically speaking of the
Paschal Mysteries of Jesus (the events of Holy Week and Easter Sunday).
This reminded me to become one with him as he approaches the "hour." This
helps me to relate to the presence of Jesus in my life and to sense how
close he is to each of us. It is he who fulfills the Psalm response by
healing our bruised and broken hearts. Amen.