October 5th - Reflection

John 11:45-57 (NRSV)
Critics plan to silence Jesus

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, "What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation." But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed." He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death.

Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples.

Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?" Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
Reflection
"Here's your sign!"

Jesus was giving signs. In fact Jesus was a sign. Jesus was here to gather all the scattered Children of God. Jesus would gather all the faithful. Jesus would give his life for the children. Jesus would be the vine that all would feed from and grow from in all places throughout all time.

Some would fear the signs of Jesus. Some would fear losing power or money or prestige. But Jesus sign had nothing to do with any of these. Jesus sign would demonstrate God's love for all the world.

Prayer
Lord, may I be a sign for you. And may I read all the signs you have to give as I follow you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen