Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22
John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Faithfulness amidst Hostility
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, free to express one’s opinion but should not expect others to go along with that of their opinion. However there is with regard to life and values, an eternal Truth and Law inscribed by God which no one can alter for one’s accommodation. This is where the difference arises between Godly and ungodly people. The Godly uphold the eternal Truth and Law while the ungodly converts to suit oneself and force upon others the same.
Hostility towards Faithful
In today’s first reading, the ungodly people consider that they are good,virtuous, and even think theirs is the best approach towards life and values, so others have to follow and learn from them. Those who do not go by their ideologies, they are hostile towards them, especially people of faith in God.
They begin by saying, ‘Let us lie in wait for the virtuous person’. They continue to say, “the very sight of him weighs our spirits down” and “ he annoys us and opposes our way of life”. They conclude by saying, ‘Let us condemn him to a shameful death’.
They resent others' goodness, opinion and behaviour. It’s a different life as opposed to ungodly
They even resort to condemnation, threatening and even to the extremity of killing.
This came true in Jesus life, those who could not stand the sight of him, condemned, mocked and crucified Jesus. It so happened down the centuries to the followers of Jesus, whom we call as Martyrs.
Hostility towards Jesus
In today’s Gospel, there is a growing hostility towards Jesus. The leaders were trying to arrest and kill him. What is the reason that so much hostility is growing against Jesus? He in fact came to save, to give life and life abundance. He is just, innocent and good but why is this violent attitude of the authorities against Jesus.
Even today also, we come across this kind of people hostility towards faithful, condemning, mocking God, resorting to cruelty, torture, and even to the point of killing them. There are individuals, governments who accelerate despising Christians and intimidation towards them. They think by doing this in fact doing right but they are misled.
Answer / Response : Faithfulness
Despite all these, Jesus was faithful to the mission. The unfavourable environment did not deter him from fulfilling his responsibility. So the message of the day is that we need to continue to trust in God and remain faithful to our calling and our life even if the environment is not supportive and remains hostile. Though we may be discouraged but We need to counter witness to the prevailing values and ideologies of the world, of course we will be resented, ridiculed, and attacked with violence. It was predicted by Jesus himself, no surprises. Jesus trusted Father, let us put our trust in Jesus and we will experience his support.
Sometimes a way seems right, but the end of it leads to death! (Proverbs 14:12)
Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
He has success in store for the upright, is the shield of those who walk honestly, Guarding the paths of justice, protecting the way of his faithful ones (Proverbs 2:7-8)
Fr. Jayaraju Manthena OCD
