Reflection for Saturday April 4, Fifth Week of Lent: John 11:45-56

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?”

+ + + + + + +

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