Homily for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus proclaims that His aim is not to do His own will, but the will of the One who sent Him - the Father. Jesus' entire life was shaped by the will of His Father, which is for all people to find life through faith in Jesus. As John says in Chapter 3 of his Gospel, "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, which is why Jesus says, "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

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

God leads us to springs of living water. When we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done," we are praying that a culture of life will prevail over a culture of death. We are also committing ourselves to do God's will by protecting life, bringing life to others, and helping others to live fully human lives that are shaped by the Holy Spirit and lead to eternal life in heaven.