I Seek Not My Will!

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Is 49: 8-15; Jn 5:17-30

Today’s Gospel highlights sacrifice as a relative virtue thanks to the fact that what we sacrifice depends on how much we love someone. 

I believe that a story can help us understand the mutuality of love between Jesus and his Father.

As he was walking on the street, a man came across a little boy who carried his disabled brother on his back. The man grew concerned about the sight but still concluded it must have been a heavy burden for the little boy to bear. Therefore, he commented, ‘That’s a heavy burden for you to carry.’ Contrary to his expectations, the boy replied, ‘That is not a burden at all. The one upon my back is my brother.’

We can see that in the story, the relief that the boy feels results from the realization that who he carries on his back is his brother and not someone else. 

The Gospel text that highlights the mutuality between Jesus and his Father invites us to understand the truth behind the sacrificial love. 

When Jesus says that ‘The Son cannot do anything on his own,’ the statement does not indicate his inability to do anything. Nor does it point to a lack of freedom in the relationship with his Father. Moreover, it can never be taken as a slavish submission of Jesus to his Father’s will. 

If we observe closely, the words of Jesus highlight the tremendous freedom that arises out of aligning his will with that of his Father. In fact, the statement of Jesus reflects what is only possible within true love. 

In his words, Jesus shows that where there is a genuine relationship, sacrifice is made willingly and not with complaints.

Here, Jesus lets us glimpse into any relationship that is based on genuine love. We understand that sacrifices are the building blocks that hold relationships together. 

In the context of genuine love, Jesus shows that sacrifice becomes a relative virtue because it endures the pain willingly.

Let us pray that our love for God and neighbors may be characterized by the loss of the sense of burden that is unique to love.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar