By Shiju Joseph, CSC –
Readings: Num 21: 4-9; Jn 8: 21-30
An experience of acute struggle, pain or deprivation has a way of making us focused on ourselves. The pain takes centerstage and we tend to forget everything else. Someone who has experienced a toothache would know this. One would forget everything else that is good and right about one’s situation, and would say, ‘Ah, if only I did not have this tooth!’
During hurtful quarrels, some couples wonder why they married at all. Some would turn against God and say he was responsible for it all. The countless blessings we enjoy are quickly forgotten and all we see are problems that God brought to us. It took a great tragedy for Israelites to recognize how God has been looking after them, despite the inconveniences and discomforts.
Jesus predicts today that how the Jews saw Jesus and themselves would change drastically when they have “lifted up the Son of Man”. No amount of words and miracles of Jesus were able to convince the people about his divine intentions and identity. It would seem easy to follow God’s will when I get to perform miracles and have a large following.
Jesus would have to demonstrate another dimension of following God’s will in order for the people to recognize God. It would take Jesus to mount the cross to draw more people to him than his miracles did. The symbolism of Jesus on the cross, the extent one would go to fulfill God’s will and to protect one’s integrity, is a powerful force that can show a mirror to people. When my words and my works are not sufficient to communicate God to others, it is my peaceful acceptance of my calvary that will demonstrate what it means to do his will. May I never shy away from my own cross and calvary.