History Repeats

Today’s Gospel Text: Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him; 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on thus, every one will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation." 49 But one of them, Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all; 50 you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish." 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they took counsel how to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore no longer went about openly among the Jews, but went from there to the country near the wilderness, to a town called E'phraim; and there he stayed with the disciples. 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?" John 11:45-56

Reflection: “History repeats itself,” and the few who know and understand this concept also have understood that those who do not learn from it are doomed to repeat it.

We do not know the actual veracity of the claim laid by this statement, but what is visibly seen is the repetition or recurrence of certain patterns in history in different milieu and culture. Those living in the situation tend to be blind to the eventuality, even if they may have the knowledge of a historical background.

Biblical history has been no different and there is a lot that we can learn from the recurrences of Biblical events, because it prophetically brings out a fact of this repetitive nature of human history from a divine point of view.

One such fact that Biblical history brings about is that nations are lead to their eventual destruction as the human pride, sin and hedonistic tendencies grows and its laws no longer supports life in all its dimensions.

In other words, to turn away from the righteousness and laws of God will bring the nations down to its knees.  They may perhaps hold together on the basis of human pride which strengthens the resolve but ultimately working in mortals, and is destructive before its fall.

One such fact brought out in the gospel which spurred this reflection are the fears expressed by the leaders of the Jewish community; the Chief Priests, Pharisees and the council: 

"What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.  If we let him go on thus, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation."  (vs. 47-48)

In our time we have precisely a repetition of history, when fears of the same kind are expressed by the leaders of Christian community when mention is made of the need to proclaim the gospel of Christ.

Hence we could have Christian leaders who will speak one kind of language at the synods and discussions and another language in their own backyard and thus betray their service as servants of the gospel.

Prayer:  Lord, have mercy on the people who have never been given the opportunity to hear the message of your Son on account of the fears of the leaders who put up obstacles to its spread. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Prophetic

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 22 And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" 23 And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself; what we have heard you did at Caper'na-um, do here also in your own country.'" 24 And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country. 25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Eli'jah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; 26 and Eli'jah was sent to none of them but only to Zar'ephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Eli'sha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Na'aman the Syrian." 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. 30 But passing through the midst of them he went away. Luke 4:21-30

Reflection: Astrology and knowing the future is a great temptation, even for the many that have plenty of wealth and power, in their fear, anxieties and insecurities of life, they still search for an answer concerning their future.

Whereas God's word rebukes such an action: “Let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons predict what shall befall you.  Behold, they are like stubble, the fire consumes them.”  Isa 47:13-14

Yet there are some who still love to hear a prophetic word about themselves and there are many who randomly open the word of God for a random answer to their problems. As long as they are within the acceptable norm, it is fine. 

But rarely do we realize that scripture overall by itself can be a prophetic word not just a particular book or a particular word but in the totality of the message that it carries and speaks.

It reveals to us our particular situation even before we have known it and even reveals to us our future, whether it be the immediate or the later or our eternity.

Such is the nature of God’s word and this in a way fulfills the instinctual need of every man whose very nature seeks the familiar, even in the unfamiliar aspects of life. 

In other words, it seeks the comforts of familiarity or what is known and would not easily venture into the unknown and unknowing.  

The greatest consolation of Scripture begins with its prophetic action which first reveals to us our existential nature, which is sinful and in enmity with God.

We would never have known this truth about ourselves without Scripture, likewise, we would never have known about God who is the reason for our existence and the ultimate destination in whom alone we can find our fulfillment.

This human fulfillment is made possible by the revealing of Christ Jesus, as our savior, who through his death and resurrection has made all things possible.

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek your wisdom through your prophetic word and thus find true happiness and fulfillment.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Are you Insecure?

Scripture/Bible: Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. John 16:20-23

Reflection: Jesus' prediction of the reality of behavior pattern in the world; this is the contradiction in the world in which many of us seek to work for unity, peace and brotherhood.

What is Jesus’ prediction concerning the world? “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful.” - the contrary behavior of humans who are either for or against Christ.

Could this be post resurrection words put in the mouth of Jesus? This we leave it to the fools who want to get into irrelevant nitty-gritty.  But the fact remains that his enemies did rejoice, that they finally put to rest their much insecurities and fears of persecution which could have arisen if Jesus were given a free reign. Their insecurities and fears were further allayed because Jesus did not keep their company nor mix around with them.

But they failed to realize that Christ Jesus came in our midst to help us handle our many fears, insecurities and anxieties which works in subtle ways in us to make the innocents scapegoats and victims.

God wants to heal these weak traits in our life so that we may be instruments of service. This service need not be an active work but could be even a passive act that does not look at other individuals, especially the chosen instrument of God as threat, especially who don't keep our company or appease us.    

It also brings out another truth of how our outlook of life should be and how we need to interpret all things in the world.  Jesus has to be the focal point; you have to be either for Jesus or against Jesus and not be a go between or a fence sitter.

Prayer:  Lord, search me by the action of your Holy Spirit at work in me, so that every sinful thought of insecurity, fears and anxieties are dealt with by your grace. 

                                                                                                                     

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us