Killing as offering worship to God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season:  Sixth  Week :  Monday*

*Gospel : Jn 15:26-16:4a*

*First Reading : Acts 16:11-15*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b*

*Killing as offering worship to God*

*The hour is coming when everyone who kills you  will think he is offering worship to God.*

*1) Twisted Zeal: When Worship Becomes Violence*

Religious zeal, when not rooted in the true knowledge of God, can lead to violence. 

Those who kill thinking they are offering worship see themselves as defenders of God, truth, or sacred order.

Worship is meant to draw us closer to God's heart—love, mercy, truth. When it becomes a justification for hatred or harm, it ceases to be true worship. 

This warns us of the dangers of confusing religious fervor with divine will.

*2) Cain and Abel: The First “Religious” Murder*

In Genesis 4, Cain kills his brother Abel—not out of atheism, but within a context of worship. 

Both offered sacrifices. Cain’s offering is rejected, Abel’s accepted. Out of envy and pride, Cain murders.

This shows that violence in the name of God can begin with jealousy and wounded pride, masked as religious loyalty.

True worship requires a pure heart, not merely outward offerings.

*3) Idolatry of Religion Itself*

Sometimes, people worship religion or tradition more than God Himself. 

This leads to the justification of harmful actions *“for the sake of God”* even when they contradict His character.

We must constantly test whether our religious convictions align with God's revealed heart in Jesus: compassion, justice, and humility 

*4)  False Worship vs. True Worship*

Jesus told the Samaritan woman in John 4:23 that true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and truth. Killing in God’s name is neither. 

It may appear as devotion, but it is false worship—an offering God rejects.

True worship involves surrender, love, and obedience to the voice of Christ. 

Any act that destroys life cannot be an act of genuine worship, for God is the giver and sustainer of life.

*5) Jesus the Innocent Victim*

The crucifixion of Jesus was carried out by religious authorities who believed they were protecting the faith. 

Caiaphas even said: *“It is better for one man to die than the whole nation perish”* (John 11:50).

This is the ultimate example of someone being killed as a supposed *“service to God.”* 

It reveals how religious systems, when corrupted, can crucify God Himself in the name of preserving holiness.

*6) The Danger of Zeal Without Knowledge*

Paul, before his conversion, is a prime example of someone who *“killed thinking he was offering worship to God”* (see Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–2). 

His persecution of Christians stemmed from a zeal for God, but not according to true knowledge (Romans 10:2).

Religious zeal must be grounded in truth. Otherwise, it becomes destructive. 

This warns us not only about being persecuted but also against becoming persecutors—when we act out of pride, ideology, or misunderstanding, thinking we serve God.

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*