Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross; Post-feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God; Holy Martyrs Menodora, Metrodora, Nymphodora (303-11).
Galatians 6:11-18; John 3:13-17.
Read John 3:13-17
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Sometimes there are words we don’t want to hear, things we have done or said that are humbling to admit to, words that put us in the presence of others’ pain that we have caused. Sometimes we want to ignore words that would dissuade us from doing something we would very much like to do. Most challenging are those words which call into question deep commitments we have made to a particular direction of life.
Today’s gospel reading finds opponents of Jesus in this situation but tragically bringing judgement upon themselves.
As difficult as it must have been to be subjected to the tirades of an Old Testament prophet, they were a God-given mercy, sent to warn and hopefully turn people away from sin and its inevitable consequences. But, what if God told a prophet to stop speaking, to leave people previously warned to their fate? That would be worse.
Seven days after being called to be a prophet, God told Ezekiel (in exile in Babylon) to shut himself up in his house and struck him mute. Four and a half years later, Ezekiel is told by God that when Jerusalem falls an escapee would report the news to him and he would no longer be mute. Three years later a man came to Ezekiel saying that the city had fallen, and Ezekiel was no longer mute. Yet, during that seven-and-a-half years, the book of Ezekiel records 30 chapters of prophecy.
Immediately before today’s gospel, the Sadducees chose to no longer ask Jesus any questions. Emboldened, the Pharisees attempted to incriminate Him but decided to do the same. Jesus was willing to speak; His opponents avoided His words.
Let us not block out what God, in His love, so wants us to hear, as difficult as it might be.
Bible References