Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Intention: For justice in our world, especially for all who are forgotten or excluded, abandoned or abused, persecuted or exploited, that people of good will might rise to their defense and come to their aid.
Today’s Gospel | John 10:31-42
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
As we move through the Gospel readings that lead to Holy Week, we can see the escalating tension between Jesus and his opponents in the Temple establishment. Jesus’ adversaries reject him as a blasphemer, and so too reject his ministry. Even his suggestion that, if they will not accept him, at least accept what God is trying to do for them falls on deaf ears. Their judgments are immovable. In their arrogance, we can see why Jesus so often warned his disciples against the impulse to judge others.
Rarely does a day go by when we do not need to make a judgement. Our lives are filled with decision making, from what type of clothes we prefer to buy to what kind of person we prefer to marry. But when the act of choosing is intended to disrespect and diminish something or someone, then we move from making a judgement to passing judgement. We are taking it upon ourselves to pronounce the worth of others, often as a way of placing ourselves above them. In doing so, we not only hurt them, but we also delude ourselves. Rather than seeing differences with others as an opportunity for challenge and growth, we attack them as threats to our narrow version of reality. As author Steve Maraboli writes, “When we are judging everything, we are learning nothing.”
The need to judge others comes from an empty spot within ourselves. Our judgments are rooted in our own issues, saying much more about what is happening inside of us than what is happening inside of others. Lent is a time to ask for healing, for openness to God’s grace so that what is broken in our hearts and spirits might be made whole again. Then, we can move forward with new eyes to see ourselves and others with humility and compassion, anxious to welcome and to serve, and without any need to judge.
Prayer
Eternal Father, just as you are one with your Son, we ask for the faith and strength to be one with each other. In this holy time of Lent, help us to wash all selfishness from our hearts, our minds, our words, and our actions. May we serve you through our care and example to one another. Bless us with the courage to always do your will. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.