What are we going to do?

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Fifth Week: Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Jn 11:45-56*

*First Reading - Ez 37:21-28*

*What are we going to do?*

*1) One of the important Questions in Life*

*What are we going to do?* is one of the important questions which comes in today's Gospel

The Jews and the authorities of Jewish people asked this Question, in connection with the issues of Jesus 

When we apply this question to our own life, what answers shall we get is the important thing to be noted today, as we read today's bible reading 

*2) In the Gospel Passage variety of people do variety of things*

*A) Jews who came to see Mary*: Some of these Jews believe in Jesus after seeing the miracles and extraordinary things in Jesus 

*B) Other Jews* : Some of the Jews who had come to see Mary saw Jesus' miracles and went and informed about the same to Jewish authority

The intention of the information may be, because they were jealous about Jesus 

May be they wanted to gain a milage from Jewish authority

May be they wanted to trap Jesus 

*C) Chief priest and Pharisees* : They were fully troubled at the miracles and wonders of Jesus because many were following Jesus 

So they convened the Sanhedrin to plot a plan to tackle Jesus and to control His ministry

*D) Caiaphas*: He was the chief priest. So he had the authority to say something when something to decide in the Sanhedrin.

People use to value his words, since he is a chief priest 

So he made a prophecy about the mission of Jesus 

*Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation*

*E) Jesus*: Jesus could no longer walk in the public. So He went into the desert area of Ephraim and spent time with His disciples

*F) People who came for Passover*

They discussed with each other about the arrival of Jesus to Jerusalem

Some of them also looked for Jesus in order to catch Him and to give the news about His whereabouts to the Jewish authority

*3) Lent : What are we going to do?*

This question has a special relevance during the time of Lent 

Let's ask this question personally to us *What am I going to do?*

*What  I have done so Far?*

*What am I going to do in the future?*

*4) Who is the Model for us?* 

I the above mentioned group of people who did different things, in their relationship with Jesus, who can be my model? 

Who can be the model to answer this question What am I going to do here and now?

*5) Life depends on this question*

The existence of our life depends on this particular question

The answer to this question and also the action required to follow this question in the practical level, will decide our future

So therefore, it is not an easy question to answer, it involves greater things of ones life 

Am I able to answer this question, with right intention and determination?

It is a question of life, which has long lasting effects on our life

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*