Hey, Jesus, I’m confused!
A Gospel Enquiry
Introduction
As I prepared this Gospel Enquiry, I found myself wondering again about the purpose of the Gospel. Why has the Church given the scriptures a prominent, pre-eminent place in its life and structure?
My search for answers led me to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In summary, the Church describes the scriptures as a source of nourishment for Christian life, a source for prayer, and a source of strength.
The authors of the Catechism make use of the scriptures and the Divine Constitution on Revelation (Dei Verbum) to provide examples of the three characteristics identified above.
The Council Fathers quoted St Ambrose of Milan when they wanted to draw attention to the relationship between the scriptures and prayer:
“We speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles” (Dei Verbum, 25)
And this relationship was already there in the scriptures. For instance, the psalmist sings to God:
“Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
The gift of faith is a trusting relationship, both individually and in communion with others and with the triune God. The Gospel Enquiry is meant to be an expression of this faith, which is nourished and strengthened by using the Gospel prayerfully.
The Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again.’
Then some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean, “In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again” and, “I am going to the Father”? What is this “short time”? We do not know what he means.’
Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, so he said, ‘You are asking one another what I meant by saying: In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again.
‘I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.’ (John 16:16-20)
The Enquiry
See
What is happening in this Gospel scene? Who is involved? What is the dominant theme? Tease out the relationship between “you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy” and the dominant theme.
Cardinal Joseph Cardijn referred to young workers as “apostles.” Do you think of “old” workers as apostles? Is the confusion we read about in this Gospel a common experience when it comes to considering the part Jesus plays in the world? How does this confusion impact your life?
Why are the apostles confused? Is the confusion real? Or is the confusion a theological device? If so, why does the Gospel writer employ it in his narrative? Why would you be confused about what Jesus says to you through the Gospel and through the Church?
Judge
What do you make of this conversation Jesus has with his apostles? Can you imagine this conversation happening today? Whenever you go to Mass, do you participate in this type of conversation with Jesus?
Look at the contrast between Jesus’ awareness of the world and his confidence in the future and his apostles’ confusion. How is this contrast mirrored in your own life?
Which part of the conversation challenges you the most?
Act
What change in our society is prompted by what Jesus says to us through his conversation with his apostles?
What small action can you carry out to that will support this change?
Who can you involve in your action, when, where and how often?
Image Source: diejohndoe (Creator), ‘Jesus Confused Me’, Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0