Today’s Gospel offers us a glimpse into another moment of questioning, tension and derision centering around Jesus and his preaching. John shares some genuine confusion and perplexity as to the identity of Jesus. The scene is framed around Jesus, yet he is not an active participant in the story. Instead, the focus is on the perspectives of Jesus by those who have gathered to discuss who he is and what he has said, particularly the guards who have been ordered to arrest him. Jesus has clearly had an effect on the gathered crowd and all respond differently.
Not everyone is in agreement with what they see and what they hear about this man from Galilee (and as we read…nothing good ever comes out of Galilee!). Some (the guards) have chosen to stop and listen to him rather than follow orders to arrest him. Others (some of the Pharisees) remain firm in their belief that he is a charlatan, a false prophet, a dangerous seditionist. Some, like Nicodemus, a Pharisee himself, steps forward and demands that Jesus be given a just hearing before he is condemned without fairness or due process. It’s a confusing situation riddled with hostility and uneasiness. Do those gathered listen, learn and decide for themselves…against the pressure of those who hold the power? Or do they spread seeds of doubt and fan the flames of hysteria?
Do we spend time listening to Jesus’ message? Are we confident in our knowledge of Christ, his history and his role in our lives? Does that knowledge stem from our own prayer and consideration or does it originate with what we have been told to believe? Do we deepen our relationship with Jesus through moments of quiet or do we seek out Scripture passages that support our preconceived perspectives so as to prove what we believe to be true? Do we meet Jesus on our terms or embrace a relationship that will guide us to listen and grow? Perhaps we can look to the words and deeds of the guards in today’s reading, and think about the words of St. Clare as we take some time to “gaze, contemplate, consider and imitate Christ” as we continue our journey this Lent.
John F. Tully, SFC ‘67
St. Francis College Board of Trustees
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