Homily for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus emphasizes that His purpose is not to follow His own will but rather the will of the One who sent Him—His Father. The entirety of Jesus' life was guided by the Father's will, which is for all people to find life through faith in Him. Chapter 3 of John's Gospel states, "God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." God desires life, so Jesus proclaims, "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

This same view of God is reflected in today's first reading from the prophet Isaiah. Just as a mother cherishes the child in her womb and nurtures that life, so does God cherish us and work to bring us to the fullness of life.

God guides us to springs of living water. When we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done," we ask for a culture of life to prevail over a culture of death. We also commit ourselves to fulfilling God's will by protecting life, nurturing it in others, and helping everyone live fully human lives that are shaped by the Holy Spirit and lead to eternal life in heaven.