Today’s Reflection
Gospel: John 10:31-42
April 8, 2022 | Friday

Today’s Gospel

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.

Today’s Reflection:

The rift between the Jewish elders and Jesus widens as the latter revealed more of his identity to them. For them, Jesus is no other than a blasphemer and a blatant scandalous liar. But still, no ill will and desire for vengeance can be found in Jesus despite their growing malice against Him. On the other hand, the Jewish laypeople at Jordan believed that Jesus is the awaited Messiah because of the humble but credible testimony of John the Baptist about Him. These people have no access to deep and scholarly teachings except for the preaching of John and news about Jesus.

The different responses of the Jewish elders and laypeople manifest how the strength of one party may turn out to be their weakness, and the weakness of the other may turn out to be their strength. The Gospel teaches us that (1) every human being, no matter how adept he thinks he is, still has his own limitations, (2) the fullness of truth can be found only in Jesus, and (3) it is only through faith in Jesus that we can transcend or be supplied with whatever is lacking in us. /Vulnerasti, 2022