Gospel: John 11:45-56
Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began
to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what
Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin
and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we
leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take
away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high
priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it
is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the
whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was
high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the
nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed
children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him.
So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for
the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained
with his disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up
from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked
for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you
think? That he will not come to the feast?”
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Reflection:
Do you always make yourself available to the people? For example if
you’re a politician are you always available to your constituents even if it’s
not election time? Many politicians are only available when they campaign during
election. But after the election has been won they are already hard to find.
If you’re a priest or a person of God do you always make yourself
available to those who are in need of your time and advice? Many person of God
discriminates; they are always available to those who are rich and powerful.
But they are not always available to the poor and powerless.
Aside from performing miraculous healings Jesus is also humble,
approachable, and helpful. He always empathized with the poor and lowly. This
is what made Jesus dear to the hearts of the people most especially the common
people.
Through these virtues He galvanized into one the dispersed children of
God. And it created a bandwagon effect that whoever saw or even heard about Him
was captivated to follow Him. Thus, Jesus became a threat to the powers that be
at that time.
We who follow Jesus must learn from these human qualities of Jesus. We
may not have the gift to perform miraculous healings. But if we are humble,
approachable and always available we could also be His representative to our
fellowmen most especially to the poor and powerless. – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
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