Gospel: John 7:40-53
Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said,
“This is truly the Prophet.”
Others said, “This is the Christ.”
But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?
Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family
and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?”
So a division occurred in the crowd because of him.
Some of them even wanted to arrest him,
but no one laid hands on him.
So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees,
who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?”
The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.”
So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived?
Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?
But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.”
Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them,
“Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him
and finds out what he is doing?”
They answered and said to him,
“You are not from Galilee also, are you?
Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Then each went to his own house.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is available.
Reflection:
James was my line manager many years ago. During my first few weeks in the company, I had a meeting with him about a complaint raised by a client. We were thinking of how to resolve the complaint. James was quick and straightforward, but I was cautious because of X, Y, Z reasons. My cautiousness was preventing me from seeing a way forward. James told me, “Let us not make things complicated.” He and I later agreed a solution which satisfied the client.
In today’s Gospel, we read how some in the crowd as well as some of the Jewish leaders made things complicated. They questioned the authenticity of Jesus, His origins, and the law. Their questions prevented them from understanding what Jesus did: “[T]he blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Luke 7:22). Two characters stand out in this Gospel: the guards and Nicodemus. The guards, in their simplicity, believed in Jesus and boldly proclaimed it to the Jews. Nicodemus was insightful, calling to task his colleagues to be fair in treating Jesus. Both were at peace with Jesus. The rest were not.
- How simple (or complicated) is your life right now?
- How do you react when others badmouth another person?
- How can you become more like the guards or Nicodemus today?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Grant us the grace to be simple and profound so that we would open our hearts to Your call to conversion. Amen.
Suggested Lenten penance: Pray in a special way to the Blessed Virgin Mary whose simplicity made her welcome Jesus.
(Pietro)
