Scripture for Your Inner Outcasts

Transcript

Speaker 1: Jesus cried out and said, whoever believes in me believes not only in me, but also in the one who sent me. And whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him. For I did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him. The word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own. But the father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.

Speaker 2: You're listening to Scripture for your inner outcasts. Today is April 29th, 2026, the memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena. Today's guest presenter is Doctor John Bukowski, an ob gyn based in Northern Virginia and the author of the book, Two Patients with Ignatius Press.

Speaker 1: The reflection for today is from the Gospel of John, chapter 12, verses 44 through 49. Jesus cried out and said, whoever believes in me believes not only in me, but also in the one who sent me. And whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him. For I did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him. The word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own. But the father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. Chronologically, this gospel's passage immediately precedes Holy Thursday and the washing of the disciples feet. Contextually, this passage is directly aimed at the unbelief and belief among Jesus's Jewish audience, his religious family. Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, and many believed and trusted in him, there were many others who did not believe in him. They couldn't see him for who he was. They did not hear him, nor did they obey him. Similar to our internal family system, you know you are a multiplicity within a unity. Both and many parts within one person, one body. Each of our parts, in their extreme roles within with their agendas are that family within us. This is the complexity of who we are. Taking a breath deeply. Now let's go inward with this reading.

Speaker 1: Your spiritual manager might have focused on verses 44 through 47, believing he is enlightened with the light of Jesus, even literally speaking for Jesus. With the proper version of what Jesus intended for your entire family system. Now, your exiles, however, may only have heard. Verse 48. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him. The word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day. Emphasis on the word condemn. It is your exiles that are condemned, banished from being seen, known, heard and understood within your system. It's totally understandable that they are in the dark about who God is and who they are because of the exiles experience of anger, shame, fear, and sadness, among others. Your exiles experience something that they believe to be God early in their life, but it's not really God. It can be really, really hard for those parts who protect you, especially your spiritual manager, to really know how little your exiles know about Jesus. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus light is for the darkness found in all your parts, and especially those inner outcasts, your exiles. This is not contextual or intellectual, but in a relational way. Your exiles are also called to be included in the light of Jesus's gaze and the gospel's new life. Your managers might not think your exiles are good enough, or healthy enough or clean enough, but your innermost self, who wants to love God wholeheartedly, needs you. Exile you and your wounds and your burdens are absolutely essential to living the two great commandments. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

Speaker 2: Listeners are invited to learn more about the innermost self, which was mentioned in today's episode by checking out our sister podcast, Interior Integration for Catholics.

Speaker 1: Episode 158 Our Lady, Our Mother Untier of knots. Pray for us, Saint Joseph, pray for us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us.