“There is one most priceless pearl: the knowledge of the Savior, the mystery of his Passion, the secret of his Resurrection.”
READ: JOHN 5:19–30
To this accusation Jesus replied: “I tell you most solemnly, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing: and whatever the Father does the Son does too. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does himself, and he will show him even greater things than these, works that will astonish you. Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses; for the Father judges no one; he has entrusted all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. Whoever refuses honor to the Son refuses honor to the Father who sent him. I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life; without being brought to judgment he has passed from death to life. I tell you most solemnly, the hour will come — in fact it is here already — when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and all who hear it will live. For the Father, who is the source of life, has made the Son the source of life; and, because he is the Son of Man, has appointed him supreme judge. Do not be surprised at this, for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graves at the sound of his voice: those who did good will rise again to life; and those who did evil, to condemnation. I can do nothing by myself; I can only judge as I am told to judge, and my judging is just, because my aim is to do not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
Jesus wants only one thing — for us to have life. Death was the consequence of Original Sin and continues to be the consequence of all sins. Spiritual death ensues from sin because sin is rebellion against God, a willful separation of oneself from communion, from friendship, with God. But since God alone is the source of all life, separation from Him means separation from life, from the fullness of that meaningful and fruitful life that He created us to experience. And if friendship with God is not reestablished while one’s earthly, biological life lasts, the separation from God will endure in an eternal “condemnation.” But those who believe and trust in Jesus regain communion and friendship with God, so they can be reborn to a meaningful and fruitful life here on earth. And if they stay faithful to their friendship with God until the end of their earthly sojourn, they will “rise again to life” at the end of history, and they will enjoy that friendship for all eternity.
Jesus: When I look at you and think of you, which I am always doing, I picture you living the life I created you to live. I know that now you still struggle and suffer, but this is only a passing stage. You are still recovering from sin. You are still in rehabilitation, and that always hurts. Keep going. Keep seeking my will. Keep getting up every time you fall. I am right at your side. I am leading you to a life that will fill you with more joy and wisdom and love than you can possibly imagine. I am the life, and I want you to spend forever with me.
RESPOND
When I try to understand You, Lord, I am blinded by the immensity of Your mystery. And yet I know that You came to earth and walked among men and that You continue to stay with me now in Your Church and through Your sacraments precisely because You didn’t want to keep Your distance. You want me to know You. Little by little, Lord, reveal Yourself to me. Open my eyes; I want to see Your glory.
REST
I know that You want to give me eternal life. You want to give me what I yearn for, passionately, in the very core of my being. You created me for that. But You can give it to me only if I am willing to follow You, if I am willing to seek and fulfill Your will, no matter what. I want to, Lord. I want to spend my days doing good for those around me, just as You did, helping others to find life in You, now and for all eternity.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
