Not For "Softies"

Jn 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles

7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. ² But the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near.

¹⁰ However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

Division Over Who Jesus Is

²⁵ At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? ²⁶ Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? ²⁷ But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”

²⁸ Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, ²⁹ but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.”

³⁰ At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.

The stage is being set for the arrest and eventual death of Jesus as opposition and confrontation mount. Jesus walks bravely forward, unafraid of his menacing opponents. What would I do if I were wearing his shoes?  His mind was fixed firmly on his mission and he refused to back away from it.  Am I as firm and determined in my discipleship, in my practice of the Faith, even in my Lenten sacrifices? As humans, we tend to slack off, back off, when the going gets tough.  Not Jesus. May we find the fortitude and strength to remain faithful to him despite the invitations and temptations that besiege us to duck from our commitments or go soft on ourselves.  Jesus was not a "softy". If I am to be his follower, neither can I be.

Bro. Rene

Jesus, Son of God the most high, you live in intimate union with the Father and you invite us to share in your life. May the fruits of our own Baptism be more evident than ever these Lenten days, that we may celebrate Easter with unrestrained rejoicing. You live and reign with the Father and the Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

 Rev. Paul Kollman, C.S.C.