Gospel Reading for April 4, 2025 – John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30
HUMAN
Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.
But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.
Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
————
Let us imagine ourselves in the shoes of Jesus. Yes, he is the Son of God, but still, he was HUMAN and therefore, not free from emotions of fear and anxiety. Imagine when he was arrested at Gethsemane, he knew his hour had come. It must have been such a terrible feeling, like one in the death row waiting to be executed.
Jesus was very loyal to the Father. He obeyed him no matter the cost. He had to preach and introduce himself. He had to bring down to the people what the Father sent him to do, even if it would cost his death.
Perhaps, if all of us Christians truly realize what Jesus had to go through just to save us from eternal condemnation, it will be easier for us to obey God’s will. We will not waste time on gossips, bickering and competition in the Church. We will just be giving time to build our Church communities and concentrate on being the Body of Christ that is broken to heal the world.
Jesus, O Jesus! We are so sorry you had to go through all those sufferings! May we show our gratitude by doing our very best to be your loyal followers!
