The Truth of God!

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Dn 3:14-20; 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42

Today’s Gospel is a clear case of Jews misunderstanding Jesus. 

The passage opens up by saying, ‘Jesus said to those who believed in him.’

However, while Jesus makes a comprehensive statement of remaining in his word, discovering the truth, and the truth setting them free, they pick only on the final part of the statement, ‘the truth setting them free,’ and argue with Jesus about its allusion to their enslavement. 

And then the misunderstanding follows. But their misunderstanding points to their ignorance. 

Ignorant of Jesus: The Jews do not know that Jesus is the Messiah. Their arguments with Jesus display that they are unaware of his origin from God. Even if Jesus were to talk of his origin from God, they wouldn’t listen. Their hardheartedness and sense of omniscience prevent them from recognizing who Jesus is. 

Ignorant of ‘Jesus Truth’: The Jews have no clue of Jesus’ redemptive mission. The passage says Jesus said this to those who believed in him. But through their contradictions with him, they prove that they are not indeed believers. Hence, remaining in Jesus’ words and discovering his truth are impossible for them. 

Ignorant of Abraham: They claim to be descendants of Abraham without reflecting his qualities. As against Abraham’s hospitality to strangers, the Jews try to kill Jesus. Hence, Jesus says, ‘You are doing the works of your father.’ Thus, they betray themselves by being hypocritical and bogus. 

The truth about God will be hard for us if we are not open and unwilling to the irruptions of God.

Real spirituality is allowing ourselves to be prodded by God. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar