“Whom are you looking for?”

Jesus asks that question of the mob that comes to arrest him in John 18:4. But it is a question all of us must answer, said Fr. Daniele Criscione, PIME, speaking to Michigan Area members.

In his March 24 virtual presentation for the Michigan Area, “The Passion in the Gospel of John,” Fr. Criscione drew on his command of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew in exploring the Passion narrative in John 18:1-14. Fr. Criscione explained how – even in a brief passage – St. John’s Gospel is rich in Old Testament images and allusions. These links to the Old Testament illuminate who Jesus is, Fr. Criscione observed.

For example, the reference to Jesus and his disciples going “across the Kidron Valley” recalls King David’s flight from Jerusalem through the Kidron Valley, as he and his followers escaped from David’s son Absalom, who was trying to usurp King David (2 Samuel 15:23). Jesus, born in the Davidic line, will reverse that flight to establish the kingdom “that is not of this world” (John 18:36).

When Jesus twice identifies Himself as “I AM” (John 18: 4, 8), we should recall that “I am” (Hebrew: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh) is how God names Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14; Jesus is clearly saying that he is God. And the image of Jesus entering the garden is one of several allusions to the Song of Songs, illuminating the Passion narrative as “a love story” about God’s relationship with His people, Fr. Criscione noted.

Jesus’ query “Whom are you looking for?” is the ultimate question confronting each human being, Fr. Criscione added. “Whom are you looking for? Money? Sex? Control? Recognition? Or God?”

Fr. Criscione is the director of the PIME (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions) Mission Center in Farmington Hills. Born in Sicily, Fr. Criscione worked at the Catholic University of Milan before coming to Detroit.

The virtual course will continue with an exploration of the Resurrection in St. John’s Gospel. The Michigan Area regularly sponsors faith formation courses for members, both virtual and in-person.

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