The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him,“We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.
He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.
REFLECTION
“I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
The first thing I do upon waking, I thank God for another day. In my familiar surroundings I am able to serve God, keep promises and pray. However, once I step out into the world, it becomes a different story and it can be tough to walk with the Lord. By His example we learn to persevere and not give up.
Today Jesus openly states that He is the Son of God and for this, people are ready to stone Him. In verse 9 prior to today’s Gospel, we are celebrating the Feast of the Dedication. As Jesus walked into the temple, He was asked “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah tell us plainly.” After Jesus again told them that He was the Son of God, we find ourselves with a mob trying to stone Jesus for blasphemy.
Isn’t Jesus blasphemed every day? Many movies take the name of the Lord in vain. Glamour, avarice, sex, riches, selfishness are promoted for the sake of being number one. When talking with non kindred spirits we are at times ridiculed for our beliefs, our reverence to God, daily Mass attendance, hours of Adoration.
In spite of all the negatives, Jesus keeps inviting us to believe in Him. If His words do not convince, then look at His works. Not only are we invited to ponder the mighty works of God notated in the Bible but in our every day life….from the near death experiences, to illness, to answered prayers, we walk daily with God, and daily we are watched over and taken care of.
So in times of doubt and anxiety remember our morning encounter with God. Believe His words and His works, and allow Him to walk with you daily. Go out and show Him to all.
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