In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is ending His public ministry. He appeals one last time to the disbelieving Jews, who reject time as the Messiah. The author of John's Gospel presents Jesus as saying: "Whoever believes in Me" (Jn 2: 44, 46) ... "whoever sees Me'' (Jn 2:45) ...and "If anyone hears My words'' (Jn 2:47).

What is it like to "believe'' in Jesus? It is to believe in the Father, Who has sent Him (Jn 2:44). It is to leave the darkness and come into the light (Jn 2: 46).

What is it like to "see'' Jesus as we read and meditate on the Gospels? It is to "see'' the heavenly Father, Himself (Jn 2:45).

What is it like to "hear'' Jesus' words and "keep'' them faithfully? It is to receive salvation and eternal life (Jn 2:47, 50).

Furthermore, in the Gospel reading, we too can learn to obey God as Jesus did. We also can learn to draw near to God and speak as He did for Jesus said, "what I have spoken ... what I was to say ... what I had to speak was commanded by the Father ... what the Father has told Me is what I speak'' (Jn 2:49-50).