God My Refuge!

Friday, March 22, 2024

Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42

For about a week, we find Jesus battling with Jews who do not accept him. 

Though today’s Gospel continues the theme, Jesus’ retreat to the Jordan region has lessons for us. 

We read that Jesus escaped from their power. Is Jesus afraid of death? 

No. Instead, Jesus wants us to learn three lessons from him. 

Not Battle but War: Jesus is focused on a massive, large-scale war with evil and does not want to get lost in skirmishes. Hence, by retreating to the Jordan region, Jesus is preparing for the upcoming war with evil and death. A man who is fearful cannot embrace the cross with all the shame and pain it carries. What drives Jesus’ retreat is his thirst to get ready for ‘Operation Redemption.’

Seeking God’s Company: When Jesus retreats from the crowd, it is not to be alone but to spend time in God’s company. That is how Jesus recharged himself for what was to come. Jesus always prayed before he decided on something important. For instance, before beginning his public ministry, Jesus spent forty days in prayer. Just so, Jesus intends the retreat for communion with his Father. 

Reliving His Belovedness: If we can remember, the Jordan region is where Jesus received God the Father’s compliment, saying, ‘You are my beloved son; with you, I am well-pleased.’ Jesus reminisces about the experience, which became his spiritual anchor. It is as if Jesus is showing that his belovedness comes from his faithfulness, which he maintained till death.

Jesus fell back on God whenever he felt betrayed, rejected, and abandoned.

It was that communion that gave him the strength to overcome whatever he had to endure. 

In times of spiritual crisis, who do we lean on? 

Blessed are those who have God as their refuge!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar