Some of the people of Jerusalem remarked: "When the Messiah comes, no one is supposed to know His origins" (Jn 7:27). Jesus picked up on the word "know" and cried out: "So you know Me, and you know My origins?" (Jn 7:28) Then, Jesus asserted that these people did not know the One Who sent Him, that is, God the Father (Jn 7:28). However, Jesus knew the Father (Jn 7:29). Jesus seems to have been preoccupied with this word "know." Why?

In the Bible, the word "know" often refers to knowing someone personally, to a personal relationship. For example, the just one "professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the Lord" (Wis 2:13). Knowledge of God means being related to God, being a child of God, knowing God personally.

Jesus is preoccupied with having a deep, total, personal relationship with us. Jesus questioned Philip: "After I have been with you all this time, you still do not know Me?" (Jn 14:9) Jesus became human and died on the cross because He loves us perfectly, passionately, sacrificially, unconditionally, and eternally. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can't love us more than They already do. Their love for us is perfect and complete. They wait for us to respond to Their love with our love. It takes two people to have a personal relationship. The Lord has offered us a personal relationship with Him by becoming a person and loving us even to death on the cross. What will be our response? Will we know and love Him personally and totally?

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 2011

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