(Jn 8:31-42)
In the opinion of many Jews, the Inheritance received was much more precious and reassuring than any other teaching albeit dignified, that anyone could impart.
But the faithful in Christ realize that in the horizon of a life as saved persons, descent alone is not a premise of superiority, nor does it guarantee prominent positions in the order of things of God.
So what is the relationship between Jesus and Abraham, father of faith? In what relationship is the disciple with the history of the chosen people, therefore with the religion of the patriarchs?
Early Christians experienced that an unusual and precious Freedom was born from fidelity to the Word of Lord; an opening to God that no creed knew.
The relationship of Faith introduces into a qualified and real ‘increase of life’ - one that is also suitable for the inexperienced and beginners - foreign to any circle of the chosen and elect.
So what does it mean to be sons of Abraham? There are those who imagine they have the “document” in place, but do not understand that a fixed identity is trap of vitality.
Christ’s intimates introduce into salvation history an inverted criterion of theological prostitution [cf. v.41: «fornication»], based on divine wealth. Another kind of Covenant.
The disciple of Jesus understands that reality has many sides, and he himself has many faces: he is called to integrate them, for a fluent wholeness.
Despite they are both ‘at home’, the «son» is a blood relative - he doesn’t remain a servant like the slave (of the descendants).
The God of the chosen people says to Abraham: "Go!". It's an order.
The Son proposes to us: «Come!». It’s a family virtue that guarantees the overcoming of difficulties, and harmonious growth.
It’s not enough to be well-versed in ways of doing things. We need to open up to a new experience.
It’s the adherence of life that convinces us to remain in the Father's abode - it’s not enough to rush and ignite in particular circumstances.
Such a custom attenuates fears and makes us become One with the Truth-Fidelity of God: let’s start from this founding Core.
Being in the Son frees from external opinions, from a blanket of manners (vv.33.37ff) that have not been reworked, nor assimilated and made one’s own; typical of subordinates, who lack profound experience.
The slave of the cliché lives under condemnation, because he is too closed in the perimeters - settled, but out of home: therefore in a reality that stagnates, or that advances by accentuating and emphasizing limits.
The «son», on the other hand, conquers unprecedented spaces, emancipates himself from selfishness that annihilates communion, from self-love that refuses to listen, from homologation that cancels uniqueness, from conformity that makes exceptionality pale, from envy that separates and blocks the exchange of gifts, from competition also spiritual that drugs us, from the sloth that discourages and paralyzes.
The God of ancient religions is a principal, an instigator; pivotal figure of subjugation and domestication, that enervates.
The Father is principle of Freedom that proceeds against the current, without fear of mixings and heterogeneities (vv.41.43).
He allows sons - even hybrids - to rediscover the roots of the sacred sap that animates them, and to meet the unrepeatable characters that are hidden in their great Desire.
[Wednesday 5th wk. in Lent, April 9, 2025]
