Reflection for March 28 Saturday of the 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?”

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Reflection:

Why was Jesus so popular during His life in this world?

Aside from performing miraculous healings, Jesus was also a man of the masses. He was approachable, humble, and helpful. He made time for everyone, including the poor and the lowly. Because of these qualities, He became dear to the hearts of the people—especially the common people who longed to be seen, heard, and loved.

Because of this, many were drawn to Him. Whoever saw Him or even heard about Him felt a deep desire to follow Him. His presence brought hope, comfort, and new life. Yet, in the midst of this growing love from the people, He also became a threat to those in power, the ruling authorities of His time.

As we who profess to follow Jesus, we are invited to reflect on these same qualities in our own lives. We may not have the gift of performing miraculous healings, but we are all given the grace to be humble, approachable, and generous with our time—especially to those who are often overlooked, the poor and the powerless. In our own simple ways, we can become living signs of the Lord’s presence to others.

When we choose to listen, to care, and to be present, we allow others to encounter not just us, but Christ within us.

Do we make ourselves available for others the way Jesus did, or are we too busy, too distant, or too preoccupied to reflect His love?—Marino J. Dasmarinas