Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
John 17:1-11
In yesterday’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells His disciples “The hour is coming”, a phrase He uses quite a number of times throughout the Gospels. Even at the Feast at Cana when Mary wants Him to do something about the wine shortage, He tells her that His hour has not yet come. Today things change! Today He prays to His Father “the hour has come!” In a matter of hours, He will be arrested, tortured and put to death. Jesus’ hour has come, the time to glorify God His Father, to accomplish the work He was given, to give eternal life to all who believe.
Today’s picture shows the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. Sadly over these past few days violence and bloodshed have broken out on that holy spot as well as throughout Jerusalem, Gaza and the entire country of Israel. It is a reminder to us all that peace does not come easy, that the world continues to struggle for justice for all. It is a reminder that we are all called to work those same virtues of peace and justice even when it hurts or it is inconvenient.
St. Paul reminds us in the first reading: “The Holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me. Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the Gospel of God’s grace.”
So what about us? What about today? What will we do to glorify God today? What can we do to show our Christian faith today? Not tomorrow or the day after? Today! And if not today, then when? What are we waiting for? Time is Up! The time is Now! Rise and shine! Give God your glory! And bear witness to the Gospel!