Category Archives: Journey thru John

Chapter 13 opens with the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.  As we have already touched on, John’s gospel is a departure from the synoptic gospels where the Passion is concerned.  We are in the scene of the last supper, but there is no blessing of bread and wine, no initiation ofContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 13: On Loving as He Loved”

Do you know what nard is?  I did not, so I looked it up.  It is a plant that is native to the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal, China, and India.  Its use as a perfume, a medicinal plant, and for religious ceremonies goes back well before the time of Jesus.  It was a valuable importContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 12: Maturing from Following into Service”

We know that the events of the gospels took place a long time ago.  For us, they are part of a distant history.  Our scene is very different than the one Jesus occupied.  We have electricity and everything that comes with it.  He had only candles for light when the sun went down.  There wasContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 11: Living in Jesus”

When Jesus uses parables to teach, He is inviting his listeners, then and now, to enter a scene.  The opportunity such a gospel passage presents becomes double layered.  You have the ability to first enter and watch Jesus teach, and then you have the ability to enter the parable as well, to also be presentContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 10: Laying Down One’s Life”

I am sure the pattern is consistent by now, but just in case, be aware for a moment how the reflection on each chapter begins with suggestions about how to immerse yourself in the scene.  Recall that this immersion is meant as an aid to your ability to pray over the material in the chapter.Continue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 9: On Being Blind”

This entire chapter is a direct continuation of the previous chapter.  It is the next day and Jesus is once again teaching in the temple courts.  Stay in the scene and watch the various exchanges between Jesus and the Jews.  Continue your process of discernment about the message Jesus is conveying.  If He is takingContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 8: Freedom and Love”

Placing yourself in the scene for this chapter is perhaps especially important.  The tension between Jesus and the Jews is building throughout the chapter.  If you were a critic reviewing a novel, you would be congratulating the author on how superbly he uses this chapter to develop the main conflict of the story. “The JewsContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 7: Defining the Word “World””

I know that as a Franciscan, I should say Assisi.  But in all honesty, if there was one place in the world that I could go, I would pick Capernaum.  The archaeologists (some of them Franciscan friars, who are the caretakers for the site) say that the ruins of the synagogue that stand there todayContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 6: Francis’ Passion for the Eucharist”

For this chapter, it seemed to me that the best time to ask you to enter the scene was not at the beginning of my reflection, but at the end.  Hopefully that makes sense after you’re done reading. If you already did your reflection based on your own, that’s great.  It’s what you are supposedContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 5: Obedience and Spiritual Poverty”