GIVE HIM A HEARING…

Jeremiah 11:18-20

18 The LORD made it known to me and I knew; then thou didst show me their evil deeds. 19 But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me they devised schemes, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.” 

20 But, O LORD of hosts, who judgest righteously, who triest the heart and the mind, let me see thy vengeance upon them, for to thee have I committed my cause. 

John 7:40-53

40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This is really the prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 

44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!” 

47 The Pharisees answered them, “Are you led astray, you also? 48 Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed.” 50 

Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 

51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee.” 

53 They went each to his own house.

MEDITATION

JEREMIAH THE PROPHET foretell the story of the Messiah who would be offered up on the altar of sacrifice. Satan’s modus operandi is evident with his elaborate scheme that intends to permanently cut God’s people off from His saving grace. However, we have a merciful God who is a just judge who will evaluate the heart and mind of man and bring to light their sin. He is a Consoler who gives the human heart grace, because He is committed to Justice and truth.

St JOHN’S GOSPEL account continues to lay out the trajectory of Christ’s mission and purpose. After the revelation that Christ desire we go where He is going and that the Spirit will be send to come to man’s aid, His followers begins to see the light in so far as they came to recognize that He is indeed the Messiah, (chrīstós),”anointed one!” This illumination of understanding begins a discussion to ascertain whether the origin of Christ accord with the historical prophetic revelations.

It is obvious that the Pharisees were divided on the matter of Christ’s Divinity which saw many “officers” being at odds with the hierarchy who falsely appealed to the “law” as a motivation to apprehend Jesus! Moreover they denied that the scripture gives reference to Galilee as the birthplace of the Messiah which Isaiah clearly prophesied.Isa 3ff

So concerned was Nicodemus about his salvation that he exemplifies the zealous believer who prefered to go to the source of the revealed truth to find answers to his many questions (Jn 3ff) albeit under cover of darkness so that he may see the light, rather than to speculate and follow hearsay and false prophets! St John cryptically imply (verse 53) that the Pharisees was a divided house of beliefs! Christ Jesus did not desire that we live in darkness, confused by contradicting beliefs and doctrines, hence He established a Church with a Petrine office (Mt 16:16-19) to “feed” and “tend” to the flock. Jn 21 If you are uncertain about your faith and beliefs, I encourage you to give the Church a hearing and obtain the Catechism of the Catholic Church that beautifully sets out her doctrines and beliefs so that your soul may find its rest in Christ!

LET US PRAY: Psalms 7:2-3,9-12

2 lest like a lion they rend me, dragging me away, with none to rescue. 

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, 

9 O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous, thou who triest the minds and hearts, thou righteous God. 10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 

11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day. 

12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and strung his bow;

catholicwitnessct@gmail.com    Henry R SYLVESTER              

Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast