~~~ Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22 ~~~ Psalm 34 ~~~John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 ~~~
"Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us...
...his life is not like that of others,
and different are his ways...
...Let us see whether his words be true...
...let us put him to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience...
...their wickedness blinded them..."
The wicked made a terrible mistake in judgement.
They did recognize that Jesus was very different from themselves,
but they held these differences against him.
They were unable to accept his holiness;
that is what made him different.
We tend to keep our distance from those who do not share similar views.
This is how we choose our friends.
We first search for what we have in common with the other person.
The more we have in common the more likely
a friendship will develop.
Jesus not only turned over the money changers tables
he turned over most of their beliefs.
Jesus had no doubt that his way was the right way,
but he was unable to convince the wicked ones
who wanted him out of their way.
They wanted to continue to believe what they had always believed.
Isn't this the easier path to take even for us today?
Our own church is at the beginning of a new Papacy.
Already we are seeing changes...more simplicity...
less pomp and circumstance, if you will.
I wonder how long it will be before some become irritated
with the 'changes'?
The anointed one of God was in their midst and they could not see him.
...his life is not like that of others,
and different are his ways...
...Let us see whether his words be true...
...let us put him to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience...
...their wickedness blinded them..."
The wicked made a terrible mistake in judgement.
They did recognize that Jesus was very different from themselves,
but they held these differences against him.
They were unable to accept his holiness;
that is what made him different.
We tend to keep our distance from those who do not share similar views.
This is how we choose our friends.
We first search for what we have in common with the other person.
The more we have in common the more likely
a friendship will develop.
Jesus not only turned over the money changers tables
he turned over most of their beliefs.
Jesus had no doubt that his way was the right way,
but he was unable to convince the wicked ones
who wanted him out of their way.
They wanted to continue to believe what they had always believed.
Isn't this the easier path to take even for us today?
Our own church is at the beginning of a new Papacy.
Already we are seeing changes...more simplicity...
less pomp and circumstance, if you will.
I wonder how long it will be before some become irritated
with the 'changes'?
The anointed one of God was in their midst and they could not see him.
'...When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.'
It is almost like they thought he would be coming from outer space...
as an alien.
This might have been easier for them to accept.
At least they would not experience any jealousy.
Did they want Jesus to look different too?
He certainly acted in ways different from them.
Jesus walked, ate, and drank with them.
He healed their illnesses, he feed them,
he showed tremendous compassion for the least of them.
And yet none of his words or actions were enough to convince them.
It is almost like they thought he would be coming from outer space...
as an alien.
This might have been easier for them to accept.
At least they would not experience any jealousy.
Did they want Jesus to look different too?
He certainly acted in ways different from them.
Jesus walked, ate, and drank with them.
He healed their illnesses, he feed them,
he showed tremendous compassion for the least of them.
And yet none of his words or actions were enough to convince them.
So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said,
“You know me and also know where I am from.
Yet I did not come on my own,
but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.
I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
Yet I did not come on my own,
but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.
I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
He endured this because he was in agreement with the Father
that we should be saved.
God created us to be with him in heaven.
The death of Jesus was the most profound way of accomplishing his will.
Our salvation had to be visibly secured in a way that we could not
ignore or dismiss it.
The Crucifixion cannot be taken lightly.
Has anything changed in your life or your heart during this Lent?
If not there is still time. It is never too late for a conversion of the heart.
Lord, take my life and make it more pleasing to you.
Enlighten the way to accept the change you desire fro me.
Amen.
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