The Holy Gospel according to John (Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30)
Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: First, some background. What is the Feast of Tabernacles? This feast is one of three pilgrimage festivals where the Israelites would travel to the Temple in Jerusalem. The other two were Passover and Shavuot, which marked the wheat harvest. The Feast of Tabernacles is also called ‘Sukkot’ which is the Hebrew word for ‘booths’ or ‘tents. Just like the Israelites roaming the desert before them, the Jewish people constructed makeshift tents for the feast to commemorate their liberation from Egypt by the hand of God. This joyful holiday is a recognition of God’s salvation, shelter, provision, and trustworthiness.
In John’s Gospel, we see tension surrounding Jesus. At first, He moves quietly, almost in secret, because the leaders were looking to kill Him. Yet, when He does appear publicly, people are confused. Some think they know Him, others question Him, and still other begin to believe.
The people in Jerusalem think they know Him as they say, “We know where He is from.” They only know Jesus superficially. They know His hometown, His background, but they miss His divine origin. Jesus is sent by the Father, and this is something they do not truly understand. What about us, do we really know who Jesus is?
This speaks directly to us. I am a longtime baseball fan, especially of the Los Angeles Dodgers. I can tell you a lot about some of my favorite players and rattle off some of their statistics. I know about them, but I have never personally met them and spent time with them, so I really do not “know” them. It is the same with Jesus. We might know about Him because we heard His story, heard some of His teachings, and are familiar with His cultural background. But we still do not really KNOW Him. Real faith goes beyond surface knowledge; it is having a relationship of trust and being open to God.
What does today’s Gospel mean to us? We are invited to a deeper relationship with Jesus through prayer, the Scriptures, participating and receiving the sacraments, and trusting Him in our daily lives.
Action for the Day: Lent is winding down. Today, may we pray for the grace not to settle for a shallow knowledge of Our Lord. Pray for the grace to truly know Him and to trust Him more completely. Before Lent is over, may we encounter the Lord’s forgiveness and mercy in the Sacrament of Confession. If we have not done so, go and look for an opportunity to make a good confession and let God show you his heart of mercy and love.
Audio Reflection:
Thank you, Deacon Mike. I like how you shared some background. Very helpful
As always simple and profound.
You help us understand how the gospel relates to us.
God bless.
Joella