April 4, 2025

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

In today’s reading, the authorities are looking to kill Jesus, but he travels incognito to Jerusalem and continues teaching in the temple area. He continues to speak the truth, as he is compelled to, acknowledging that God the Father has sent him: “I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”  The authorities tried to arrest him, but were not able to, “because his hour had not yet come.”

Jesus knows what it is to live in a time of authoritarian repression, which for him was life-threatening. It is certainly not a pleasant experience. Yet he continued to speak the truth, trusting in God’s will.  He had no choice. 

Today I see the ocean and the smell of the salt air.  The guidance for today is: When times are stressful, refresh your soul by spending time in nature. This could be simply sitting on a park bench, looking at the sky and a tree.  It could be the smell of mown grass.  It could be an escape to a beach or seashore, smelling the salt sea air.  These are all gifts from God’s creation, and they are balm for the soul, to refresh us for the journey. Amen.