Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 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.
Trying to kill him
1. The Feast of Tabernacles. The feast, also called Feast of Booths, was a gathering of communities where people built shelters symbolizing how the Israelites lived in during their 40-year wandering in the desert after leaving Egypt. Sometimes, these gatherings were used to judge or criticize newcomers rather than welcome them. This still happens today in religious, family, and even social circles: the newcomers are often met with criticism, or they’re put to the test, instead of being welcomed and supported. Even as a Church, we have driven away new members through our lack of hospitality. That’s why today, Jesus invites us to welcome the new and the different.
2. They wanted to kill Him. Many times, people will try “kill” you because of who you are, your principles, or your choices. I don’t mean with a knife or a gun, but with their words. Often, the deepest wounds are caused by the poison of words rather than a physical weapon or a difficult situation. Today, focus on discovering who you are and how you can help others instead of hurting them. Many times, we’ve been torn down by gossip, we’ve been hurt by criticism, or we’ve been attacked for the way we think, act, or speak. We can still find God even in those tough, painful times.
3. Jesus is peace. Jesus offers you His peace. He reminds you that if you’re true to yourself, if you’re consistent in your life and your actions, some people may not like you; they might consider you unpleasant or even “problematic”. But what matters most is following God’s will. So, stay strong, my friend.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
