Daily Reflection, March 24, 2023
Readings:
Wisdom 2:1,12-22
John 7:1-2,10,25-30
Reflection:
Jesus is travelling and preaching in Galilee. He had decided not to travel in Judea as he knew that some Jews there were plotting to kill him.
As the time drew near, many of his brothers travelled up to Jerusalem for the feast of Tabernacles. This feast commemorates the wandering of the Hebrew people in the desert, part of the Exodus and is one of three major feasts for the Jews. Many Jews would be gathering in Jerusalem to celebrate this feast.
Eventually Jesus also decided that he would go to Jerusalem. He went in private, not drawing attention to himself.
What changed his mind? Was it the knowledge that there would be many Jews gathered in Jerusalem, and this provided an opportunity for him to teach them more about “the one who sent him”?
It is easy to understand why he went in secrecy, considering the threats against him. But then why did he go to the Temple and begin to teach so openly?
People in the crowd recognise Jesus; they think they know who he is and where he comes from. How often are we blinded to another’s truth because we make judgements about them based on partial knowledge?
This Gospel describes the struggle in Jesus: how to reveal himself to his people when many of them were seeking an excuse to kill him. Because they know he is from Nazareth, they write him off – it is too ordinary a place to produce the Christ.
Do we recognise Jesus in the ordinary of our lives?
Finally, Jesus cries out. Cries out not speaks. Why? Is he frustrated by their lack of understanding and failure to understand who he truly is?
Jesus reminds them that he has “not come of myself” but been sent. He gets a mixed reaction from the crowd. The people are confused as they know that Jesus could be arrested, but no one lays a hand on him as his time has not yet come.
If I were part of the crowd, what would my reaction have been?
Joanne McGrath is a parishioner of St Brigid’s Marrickville and a Passionist Companion.
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