Argument leads nowhere, but Dialogue wins

Gospel Thoughts*

*Sixth Week : Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 8:11-13*

*First Reading - Gn 4:1-15, 25*

*Argument leads nowhere, but Dialogue wins*

*1) The Pharisees came to argue with Jesus*

The first line of the Gospel clearly tells us that, the Pharisees came to argue with Jesus.

In argument, one does not listen to the other, rather one want to prove that he/she is right 

Argument is an one sided approach, which does not take into consideration the opinion of the other party 

So the Pharisees wanted to prove that they are better, good and their view is right than Jesus 

*2) The intention of the argument is to test Jesus*

This is also clear from the Gospel *The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him*

So ultimately, the argument is not to gain some knowledge or to get enlightened with some greater truths, rather it is to test Jesus authenticity and capacity 

An argument which is geared towards another, in order to test, or to humiliate or to show another's weakness, does not produce any good results to any one 

So in this sense having an argument would be waste and it will create an uneasy feeling which may cause further damage for the good relationship

*3) The argument yielded no fruit for the Pharisees*

Pharisees came with a intention of getting a sign from Jesus

The sign which they demanded to test Jesus and to prove that Pharisees are right 

For this they began to argue with Jesus. But their argument led them nowhere

Finally they didn't succeed in getting any sign from Jesus 

So unnecessary  arguments and arguments with selfish motives or with a hidden hooks will not help in an way 

So one should be careful about it. 

*4) The habit of arguing unnecessarily  everyone*

The intention of the Pharisees to argue with Jesus to test Jesus, which appears to be very silly and unnecessary from their part

So it not only irritated Jesus but also made Him feel very sad about it. That's why *He sighed from the depth of his spirit*

Unnecessary arguments is useless and it only exposes the ignorance of the person

*5) No sign was given to the Pharisees*

This shows useless argument will benefit in no way 

The end result is not only *Zero*  but in increases the misunderstanding between two parties. 

Finally Jesus left them with heavy heart, which shows that there wasn't anything good came out from the arguing mentality.

*6) Those who went with open mind, were able to change their life*

We have many examples to prove this point 

Nicodemus approached Jesus with an open mind. Finally he became a powerful disciple of Jesus 

Matthew the Tax Collector, Samaritan woman, Zacchaeus, many lepers, sick people came with an open mind, and they benefitted a lot in their lives 

*7) Arguing mentality closes ones mind to learn anything new*

The Pharisees came with an closed mind and heart, that's why they came to test and argue with Jesus 

From this incident they learnt nothing, rather they lost a beautiful opportunity to learn something new from a wise man 

*8) What type of mentality do I posses?* 

Is my mindset unnecessarily arguing one? 

Is my mindset with an attitude of testing everyone? 

Is my mindset depends only on signs and not on faith or belief? 

Is my mindset is to irritate my neighbour for silly thing? 

Is my mindset is to argue for everything and to prove that I am always right and the other is always wrong? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*