"I have answered you . . . . I have helped you . . . . I will not forget you[.] " -Words of God the Father in Isaiah, telling us what He has done for His people (and for us, we are His people now through Baptism).
"The Lord is gracious . . . good to all . . . his compassion is over all . . . The Lord is faithful . . . just . . . kind . . . near to all who call upon Him[.]" -Words of the Psalmist, about who God is.
". . . for whatever he does, the Son does likewise[.]" -Jesus' words telling the people that He does the Father's will, and can be trusted and believed because His works are the Father's works.
It took a few readings and sitting quietly with today's Scripture for me to see the connections. I encourage you to read again and let the words sink into your heart before you continue to read my thoughts.
Back? Great. What stood out to you? I was struck at first by the final words in the Gospel, "I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me," because my kids and I have memorized this verse recently. What is the will of "him who sent" Jesus? It is to "do what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does . . . the Son does likewise."
The First Reading and the Psalm have told us all about what the Father does. He answers our prayer. He helps us. He will not forget us, because He is loyal, faithful, everlasting. The Father is gracious, good, full of compassion, faithful, just, kind. All those things, Jesus is and does. He does the Father's will. He loves us. Answers our prayers. Helps us. Is all the things and does all the things the Psalmist describes. In this section of Saint John's Gospel, Jesus is showing us and reassuring us that He is from the Father, and seeks only do the Father's will.
Do we believe it? I hope so! What a promise we have in Jesus, that He will help us, answer us, be faithful, and more! He also promises us eternal life, if only we believe in His word.
But there is more still. We are daughters of the Father, by virtue of our Baptism. If we are children of the Father, just like Jesus, then we have an example in Jesus. "I seek not my own will but the will of Him who sent me." What do we need to change in our lives, so that we are seeking His will more than our own? Are we showing kindness? Answering the 58th question of the day without snapping? Remaining faithful? Are we putting God first and seeking His will first? What can we do, to increase our belief and live with faith, shown in our actions? Trust that our prayers will be answered. Trust that God will help. Believe in and rely on His strength and compassion. Pray. The Lord will be near to all who call upon Him.
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him. Call on Him. Seek His will. Live with kindness, as a daughter of the King. He will be near.
Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.
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