By Francis Gayang csc –
Readings: Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10: 31-42
In the world today, we are drawn by the good examples and excellent works of some leaders. The conventional way of understanding leaders is outdated. Jesus was one of the most practical of the leaders ever lived. He surpasses all his contemporaries in both words and deeds. He is the real man, who walks his talk.
Today, in the scripture, some Jews were challenged by Jesus, which pained them like rubbing salt to the wound. As a result, they wanted to get rid of him, by accusing him of blasphemy as the easiest way as Jesus spoke with authority and introduced himself as ‘the otherness of the Father.’ Jesus responded to them by saying that even though they did not believe him, they should at least believe in the good work and miracle he performed such as healing the blind, the lame, etc.
In my life too, I am not far from the attitude of the Jewish people of Jesus’s time in trying to put down those who challenge me or teach the way which is not as per my prejudiced mind. This creates a feeling of insecurity and threat in me, not wanting to be disturbed because change demands sacrifices.
Today’s passage opens my inner eyes to see the good in others, even in those who are other than my faith community. Jesus would say to the critical people, “even though you do not believe me, believe the work, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I in the Father.” God is the source of all good, every good gift comes from Him (James 1:17-18). The failure to be open and judge wisely can cause disadvantage, like the Jewish people in the scriptures as Jesus went away from them.