Reflection
for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent
(Jer
20: 10-13; Jn 10:31-42)
“The Jews pick up stones to stone Jesus.” Imagine Jesus in the midst of those angry
faces, armed with stones. This lingering debate about the origin and identity
of Jesus had hurt their pride. Grudge and rage covered their minds. Only the
blood of the innocent could satisfy them. The situation of Jesus in today’s
reading was captured by Prophet Jeremiah, ‘“Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’
say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.”’ But the Prophet announced
that such plan will fail and the persecutor shall stumble. He cried out, “O
Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who see the heart and the mind, let me
see your vengeance upon them; for to you have I committed my cause.”
Despite the danger before Him, Jesus began to
speak to their conscience. Since they would not listen to the evidence of His
works nor the explanations He gave, maybe their conscience would convince them.
“I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone
me?” The Jews answered, “We stone you for no good work but for blasphemy;
because you, being a man, make yourself God.” Jesus made further appeal to
their conscience that even scripture addressed those who heard the word of God as ‘gods’,
how much more the One who came from the Father. Further, He tried to make them
understand that He and the Father are working together, so they should focus on
the works for them to understand. “...Even though you do not believe me,
believe in the works, that you many know and understand that the Father
is in me and I am in the Father.”
“Again they tried to arrest Him, but He escaped
from their hands.” That means their conscience too was infected by their pride
and grudge. They persecuted Jesus based on His person—His origin and identity—not for any wrongdoing, neither against the society nor religion. This kind of rage can
be seen whenever we face racism or tribalism. It is dangerous to have a closed
mind—refusing to be corrected or enlightened. This can lead to picking up
stones against the innocent!
The escape of Jesus from those stones is the
victory of the innocent. Faith in Jesus, even in the face persecution, is our escape root! This can come about if our heart and mind are fed by Jesus' teaching, and our consciences are formed by His word. The Prophet Jeremiah already saw this victory coming, “Sing
to the Lord; praise the Lord! For He has delivered the life of the needy from
the hand of evildoers.” Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday April 3, 2020
