FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2024
FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT B
Jeremiah 20:10-13
John: 10:31-42
OUR RESPONSE AND REACTIONS TO THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST
The teachings and life of Jesus Christ illicit different reactions and responses from us human beings. Some may become irritated, hostile and cruel to his teaching, others may be indifferent, unconcerned and muted still many others may be open, accommodating and seek a deeper relationship with Jesus for the sake of the words received. These are the human responses of which each has its consequences
The readings of today presents these different reactions or responses and the consequences.
The first reading relates the experiences of the prophet Jeremiah who revealed and proclaimed the word and the Oracle of the Lord to the people. Instead of accepting the Oracle as God’s word, the people turned against the prophet and sought to kill him.
Here we see a situation where the prophet became target of humiliation, cruel treatment and annihilation. Their intention was to eliminate him for the sake of teaching the words of God. And the prophet talked about this conspiracy of the people and their hostility.
Jesus as well experienced the same rejections and hostility of the people as he spoke to them. Here in today’s gospel is the scene at the feast of dedication, whereby every Jew must go up to Jerusalem. Jesus as well attended and in the temple the people took up stones to stone Jesus for making himself equal to God, and they accused him of Blasphemy.
The hostility of the people in defense of their religion and their hatred of him was so glaring. But for this Jesus sought to know why the people chose to treat him this way.
Was it for the teaching or for the works done in their midst? Jesus defense of his teaching, is because it collaborated adequately with his actions. His teachings and his actions speak same and are compatible. There is no incongruence in them. Jesus words confirms by his action portray him as the Son of God.
The other response, reaction or attitude of some people was one of acceptance, accommodating and growing in deeper union. These sought Jesus and went after him. They followed him even to the most quiet place to reflect more and understand better the mysteries revealed to them. That even though they fail to understand or comprehend the teachings of Jesus, they nevertheless continued to followed him and sought greater quietness, by entering into a desert experience to be able to fathom the teachings and actions of Christ.
In life, our best option or response to the teachings of Christ is never to be hostile, or indifferent or even doubtful. But we must learn to be accommodating to God’s words, and seek deeper relationship by entering into a desert experience of reflection, meditation and even contemplation of the mysteries of Christ. By so doing, we gain the blessings and fulfillment of the designs of God in our lives.
Heavenly Father, open our eyes to the values and benefits of the teachings of Christ. As we daily listen to and read his word, may we be open, dispose to receive, accept and accommodate his words and through it gain blessings of success, divine enhancement and life in abundance through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
