Friday of 4th Week of Lent – Wis 2:1,12-22; John 7:1-2,10,25-30
Let us lie in wait for the virtuous man
The ambush described by the author of the Book of Wisdom presents us with the temptation to see ourselves in it. Appearing before our eyes all those situations when we were or felt hurt, wounded, cheated, used, humiliated – totally wronged. From here it’s only a small step from suffering to being a victim.
Whereas, the author, of course, has some contemporary situation of the Virtuous in mind – similar to Isaiah’s Suffering Servant – he is also speaking about the Lord’s Messiah. Hence, the key to understanding his statement is certainly a passage from the Letter to the Hebrews: looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
At the end of this sad account of the Virtuous, we find a summary: “they are misled, their malice makes them blind”. If we consider the conclusion of the inspired author in the context of the temptation to view ourselves, as mentioned above, we discover that it’s not just anger which blinds. Selfishness still more . . .
So as to protect ourselves from this temptation let’s pray in the words of today’s liturgy: O God, who have prepared fitting helps for us in our weakness, grant, we pray, that we may receive their healing effects with joy and reflect them in a holy way of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.