Just what is the work of Jesus: Reflection for Wednesday, April 2, 2025

In today’s gospel Jesus speaks of his mission, which put simply is to do the work of the Father. While we are not Jesus, we too should be doing this.

In today’s gospel Jesus speaks of his mission, which put simply is to do the work of the Father. While we are not Jesus, we too should be doing this. Readings for Today.

Table of Contents

Just what is the work of Jesus

In almost any organization, you will not need to look that far to find a mission statement. While most are much too long (7 to 25 words is best practice), the goal is to articulate what an organization does.

Today, Jesus, in a way, defines his mission. “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also.” So we could say the mission statement of Jesus is to do what the Father does.

And just what is it the Father does? “The Father raises the dead and gives life.” Also, the Father gives the task of judgement to the son. So the work of the Son is to imitate the Father, and to do what is necessary to show people the right path, so that we all may be led to eternal life.

For the work of the Father arises from life. For “the Father has life in himself.” And the Father has handed over this life to the Son as well. And it is the work of the Son that he hands life over to us. Consider these words of Jesus:

“Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.”

Our pathway to life is to do those good deeds that Jesus inspires us to do, and to open our hearts then to receive the gift of salvation. This is what we are reminded of when we go to Mass. We hear the Word, we receive his body and blood, and afterwards are sent forth.

The beauty of all this is that the time for us to engage is this is now. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says to us: “In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you.” And just when is that time of favor, the day of salvation?

In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Saint Paul tells us that now is a very acceptable time. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the favorable time when God wants to give you, and me, the precious gift of life in Jesus.

Just take some time to think about that a bit. God is so eager to save, that God is ready to do so right away. This is the work of the Father. This is the work of Jesus. And God does not want us to wait even a single second to accept this gift of salvation.

And the values we receive, by cooperating with this work of the Father are tremendous indeed. “Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth into song, you mountains. For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted.”

We are broken. We were lost but have been found by God. Take this moment today to tell God you accept this salvation. And show God by your good deeds you mean what you say.

On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update.