This week our journey with Jesus continues to grow in depth.  As our desire to be with him grows, and our choices about the way we will live our lives becomes clearer, it is easier to spend time in fascination with this one we love.

Three powerful scenes from John's gospel will fill our week.  They represent a profound reflection upon the meaning of Jesus for the community that first read the fourth gospel, but also for us today.

We should read the stories carefully.  We need to enter into the interaction between Jesus and the characters.  We want to become engrossed in each question, each misunderstanding, each turn of a phrase, each rise in the level of tension, and each transformation of the persons in the scene.  Then we will see how carefully this proclamation of who Jesus is can come alive for our lives today.

Throughout this week, we can become more highly attuned to the dynamics of the stories, as they are part of our journey in this retreat.  This week can help us pull together what has been the grace of this retreat for us so far.  The woman at the well, the man born blind and Jesus' friend Lazarus represent us and how we have experienced Jesus in this retreat. 

The grace will come when I see that I have been at the well a long time and have long been thirsty.  When I can name the new thirst, the Water that now satisfies that thirst, I can overcome  my remaining resistance to trust.  When I see that Jesus reveals himself to me by revealing me to me, thereby showing me my need for him as Savior, I will rejoice and tell the whole world, too.

The grace will come when I acknowledge that my eyes have been opened. Others may not want to believe I can see, but I know I can only keep repeating it, to myself and to them.  I may experience rejection by some for claiming this new vision, but in the Light I can see clearly one who has healed me, and I give him thanks and praise.

The grace will come when I experience how my 'deaths' will not end in death, but in giving glory to God.  When I experience how entombed I have been, tied and bound, no longer alive, dead for a long time, I will sense the power of the command of Jesus that I "come forth."

Use the helps to the right to let these contemplation be part of the background of each day this week.  Throughout the week, we can grow in gratitude as we acknowledge who Jesus has become for us.  Our choices are being confirmed, to become one with him in living our lives in growing harmony with his love for us.