Do you know where he is from?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Fourth Week: Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30*

*First Reading : Wis 2:1a, 12-22*

*Do you know where he is from?*

*1) We know where is he from?*

Now, Jesus is in the temple, in Jerusalem

The feast of the tabernacle was near. Many people had come to participate in the feast 

When they saw Jesus in the temple, their spontaneous response was *But we know where he is from.*

But the question is, did they really know Jesus? 

Was their knowledge about Jesus incomplete, wrong or casual? 

*2) Their knowledge was very superficial*

They identified Jesus with a particular place 

They understood Jesus as the son of a carpenter and Mary 

They thought nothing greater can come from Galilee

They saw Jesus as one among themselves

Some said, He worked miracles because of the power of Beelzebul

So thier understanding of Jesus was very faulty 

*3) Divine Qualities of Jesus*

Jesus was the Son of God 

Jesus was the second person of the Trinity

Jesus was born of the power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus was the savior of all 

Jesus was the Messiah

Jesus was the miracle worker

Jesus was the divine healer 

Jesus was the high priest 

The people never realised these things and were not ready to accept Jesus as the Son of God

*4) I know everything attitude*

Those people were suffering from I know everything syndrome

When some one suffers from such a syndrome, there is no place for leaning new things 

No growth takes place, no creativity, no life and no suspense

This attitude is very dangerous for growth 

*5) Obstacle for Spiritual growth*

For those people the above attitude became an obstacle, to grow spiritually

It was an obstacle for them to grow in divine intimacy 

In this context our relationship remains only at the superficial level and hardly any growth takes place 

*6) My Life*

How about my life? 

Do I suffer from *I know everything syndrome?*

How deep is my relationship with Jesus? Is it only at the superficial level? 

Lent is a special time to deepn our relationship with Jesus 

What are the obstacles I face in the journey of deepening my relationship with Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*