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Gospel Reading for March 20, 2026 – John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30
“WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE.”
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.
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Jesus had to be very cautious of the Jews. It was as if he were “WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE.” Yet he did not stop preaching. He did not allow himself to be distracted from his mission, no matter how great the risk.
The Jews held many expectations and conditions regarding the coming of the Messiah. Because of these, they failed to recognize him in their midst. The Messiah had already come, yet those who most needed salvation did not recognize him.
At times, we can be like them. We pray earnestly to God for something and devote much time to novenas and petitions. Yet when the answer comes, we fail to recognize it because it does not match our own expectations or conditions.
Lord Jesus, teach us to recognize you in others and in the events of our daily lives!
