Gospel Reading: John 7:40-53
At that time, when some in the crowd heard these words of Jesus, they said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee.” They went each to his own house.
Reflection:
The passage today shows us how the people were divided over Jesus. Some believed he was a prophet or even the Christ, while others questioned his origins and authority. Even the Pharisees and chief priests were divided over Jesus, with some wanting to arrest him and others questioning the officers for not doing so.
This division among the people is not unique to the time of Jesus. Today, we still see people divided over Jesus and his teachings. Some believe in him and follow his ways, while others question his existence or authority. This division can be seen even within Christian communities, where different denominations have varying beliefs and interpretations of Scripture.
However, we must remember that Jesus came to bring unity, not division. He prayed for unity among his followers in John 17:20-23, saying, “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.”
As followers of Jesus, we must strive for unity, not only within our own communities but also with those who hold different beliefs. We must seek to understand and respect one another, even if we do not agree on everything. By doing so, we can bear witness to the love and unity that Jesus came to bring.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, we pray for unity among all believers. Help us to see past our differences and to seek understanding and respect for one another. We pray for those who do not believe in you, that they may come to know your love and be drawn to you. We ask for your guidance and wisdom as we navigate the divisions that exist in our world, and we trust in your promise to bring unity and peace. Amen.