April 2, 2025 - Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Artist Sister Mary of the Compassion, OP (1908-1977)

“I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.” (John 5:30) 

Our reading today clearly affirms that Jesus is consubstantial with the Father. We may be surprised at the end of the passage when Jesus states, “I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.” Jesus, who is God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, does not seek His own will but that of His Father—and our Father. Through the beatific vision, Jesus knows who He is and understands His mission. The Father has sent Him to reconcile humanity with divinity. 

In Matthew’s Gospel, we recall that Jesus asked the sons of Zebedee, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” That is, are you willing to accept your personal vocation, which will involve sacrifice and suffering—i.e., the Cross? This question is posed to all of Jesus’ disciples, from the first century A.D. until the eschaton.  

This Lent is a propitious time to ask ourselves: Do I accept my personal vocation and all that it entails, including my share of the Cross? St. Rose of Lima (1586–1617) wisely remarked, “Apart from the Cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.” Do I believe that by cooperating with God’s plan and His grace I can be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next? 

Can you drink this Cup? 

O God, who reward the merits of the just and offer pardon to sinners who do penance, have mercy, we pray, on those who call upon you, that the admission of our guilt may serve to obtain your pardon for our sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Roman Missal)

Rev. Joseph R. Laracy, Associate Professor and Chair of Systematic Theology

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