"To Take a Stand; To Be the Voice of Christ"

Today' Mass Readings

“So a division occurred in the crowd because of him (Jesus).” John tells us that Jesus had become the cause of division in Israel (John 5: 43). Some in the multitude recognized him as prophet (7: 40), while others claimed that he was the messiah (7:41). The division arises because Jesus’ place of origin is contested. After his birth in Bethlehem, his family had fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. When they returned they lived in Nazareth in Galilee. It is clear in the reading that they associate Jesus as a Galilean rather than from than Bethlehem. As we read further it obvious that people are being compelled to take a stand with regard to Jesus. Some think he is a prophet (5:40), others think he is the Christ (5:41), the guards are mesmerized by his authority (5: 46), Nicodemus posts a carefully worded defense in Jesus’ favor (5: 50), and the Pharisees clearly reject Jesus’ person and ministry (5: 52).

For a moment let us shift our focus to think how Jesus must have felt at this time. He knew that the religious authorities were already plotting to kill him (5:44). But like everyone else around him, probably he took a stand too - to be the voice of his Father in the world. It would not be surprising if Jesus prayed Jeremiah’s prayer in today’s first reading many times:

“But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge,
searcher of mind and heart,
Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause!” (Jeremiah 11:20).

It is not uncommon that we often find ourselves in a similar situation as the gospel. People take different stands on the issues that confront society, like marriage, war, immigration, racism, justice, forgiveness, church etc. We often hear contradictory voices around us. And yet, deep in our hearts is the voice of God made known to us in the scriptures and the teachings of the Church. Like Nicodemus, who became the lone voice of reason in the whole multitude (5: 50), we too must take a stand. Christ calls us to be his voice, his presence. Let us dare to take a stand. And when we find that difficult or challenging, Jeremiah’s prayer can bring much consolation: “To You I have entrusted my cause!”