April 07, 2017

Gospel: Jn 10:31-42
The Jews then picked up stones to throw at him; so Jesus said, “I have openly done many good works among you, which the Father gave me to do. For which of these do you stone me?”
The Jews answered, “We are not stoning you for doing a good work, but for insulting God; you are only a man, and you make yourself God.”
Then Jesus replied, “Is this not written in your law: I said, you are gods? So those who received this word of God were called gods, and the Scripture is always true. What then should be said of the one anointed, and sent into the world, by the Father? Am I insulting God when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’?
If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you have no faith in me, believe because of the works I do; and know that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
Again they tried to arrest him, but Jesus escaped from their hands. He went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John had baptized, and there he stayed.
Many people came to Jesus, and said, “John worked no miracles, but he spoke about you, and everything he said was true.” And many in that place became believers.

REFLECTION:
Now the existential-spiritual blindness and deafness of the Jews become translated into action. Since it comes from a fragmented center the action manifests itself in violence. They picked up stones to hurt Jesus. Their rage wants to see blood as payment for their disturbed conscience. Unsuccessful, they want to imprison the truth. It is causing a lot of havoc.
It is funny how people expend a lot of energy to contain that which will make them truly free, and spend the rest of their lives wondering when they will be liberated from the oppression they find themselves in. If truth is not welcomed, it will move on and find a more hospitable welcome. That is why the poor are almost always the recipient of God’s grace of truth, more so especially the poor in heart and spirit. So Jesus went to the other side of the Jordan. Those who are authentic seekers of the truth will not hesitate to cross the river of doubts and uncertainty to find it.