Jesus “did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.” – John 2:25
In the last line of our Gospel passage this Sunday*, St. John tells us that Jesus knows our human nature. What does he mean by this? For one, Jesus knew how fickle the crowds in Jerusalem were. They were coming to believe in Him because of the signs He was doing (John 2:23). Because He is God who knows all things, He knew the crowds would turn on Him and the cries of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel” (John 12:13) would become “Crucify him, crucify him!” (John 19:6).
Of course, the crowds here are not the exception; they are indicative of the disloyal and ever-changing condition of our fallen human nature. This nature was corrupted by original sin: “original sin…is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted: it is wounded in the natural powers proper to it, subject to ignorance, suffering and the dominion of death, and inclined to sin – an inclination to evil that is called “concupiscence” (CCC 405).
The Good News is that God understands our human nature inside and out. He knows because He made us: “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8). He even gave us the free will that allows for our weaknesses (CCC 1732). Even more, He loves each of us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). This causes me to reflect on my own human nature: my concupiscence, wounds, weaknesses, and shortcomings. God embraces even these not-so-polished-and-pretty parts of me. He loves me unconditionally for who I am. He always calls me higher out of sin, but He does so gently and lovingly. Do I treat myself and others with this same acceptance, gentleness, and love, recognizing that we are all made from God’s hands, yet also from the humble clay of the earth?
Father, thank You for loving me–even the parts of me that are far from perfect. Jesus, help me to be gentle and accepting of others. Holy Spirit, please fill me with the gift of wisdom so I might have your perspective on my failings and accept them with humility.
*During these three weeks of Lent, there are the regular Year B readings as well as the option to have the Year A readings proclaimed during the RCIA Masses. The Year B reading for this week is John 2:13-25.*