Since the 4th week in Lent we have been hearing passages from the Gospel of John which trace the growing conflict between Jesus and those who opposed Him. The level of intensity is increasing as we approach the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week when the consequences of that conflict will be played out. Today we are placed on the sidelines and listen again to another debate between Jesus and a group who, while initially attracted and willing to "believe" Him, nevertheless fail to truly "believe in" Him. Jesus is something more than just a spiritual teacher, and true "freedom" requires something more than simple adherence to a teaching -it requires being in relationship to Jesus.

In John's Gospel, when Jesus speaks of "truth" he is not referring to some set of philosophical propositions - He is referring to Himself, for He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Light." It is as we enter more and more into the life of Jesus, and let Jesus enter our lives, or as St. Paul describes it, as we "put on Christ," it is only then that we become, through our relationship with Christ, "sons and daughters of God," members of God's household. It is only then that we can experience the meaning of genuine freedom. As we approach Holy Week, we pray to grow in greater intimacy with the Lord, and the courage to stay with Him and follow Him all the way to the end of His journey that won us our freedom.