You are gods (Judges)

Greetings on this the Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Readings: Jer 20:10-13; PS 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7; Jn 10:31-42

Note: This is our last Friday of Lent. Lent liturgy isn’t over until Wednesday next week where Thursday begins the Triduum. Lent fast and abstinence continues until the Easter Vigil.

The seven signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John are the proofs and antagonists are to judge rightly.

The gospel focused on a set of Seven Signs that progressively reveal the authority of Jesus to speak in God’s name, as well as the seeds for the sacramental system to later be established.

Wedding Cana 2:1-11
Royal Official Son 4:43-54
Paralytic at Pool 5:1-9
Multiply Loaves 6:1-5
Walk on Water 6:16-25
Man born blind 9:1-41
Lazarus 11:1-44

• Jesus performs the work of the Father – the Signs.
• Jesus was consecrated and sent by the Father.
• Jesus is a son of the Father (disciple).
• Jesus is Son of the Father (divinity).

You are gods (Judges) – Autonomy

In the end we must all decide lots of things.

• Who to marry?
• How many children to have?
• Where to work?
• What profession to practice?
• Who are to be my friends?

The list is very long.

We are dignified autonomous humans with the power to decide.

Your will is yours alone.

You are gods (Judges) – Responsibly

Jesus taught us to judge rightly. When you judge others, he is telling them, look at the works. Are the works healing and elevating people? Do the works move people toward God or away from him?

When judging between people decide on what is right and just encapsulated in mercy with an eye to conversion and the right path.

You are gods (Judges) – Reflectively

You trying to stone me, he reminded them. Jesus asks them to look deeper as to their self motivations.

• Fear> What frightens you?
• Hope> What has taken hope from you?

You are gods (Judges) – Image and Likeness

Jesus taught us to judge rightly means to be merciful and with eyes wide open about the problems of the people.

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father.
For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
The Jews answered him,
“We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God.”

You are made in the image of God and called to be the likeness of God.

Controversial sentence: The detractors are not wrong on a certain level. Certainly they are right to wonder about blasphemy, that is their right and responsibility. Jesus is saying judge rightly.

In the least we are called to be like God in mercy and forgiveness. At the simplest they should have recognized that in his teachings.

In the least we are to use our charisms to bring the healing power of God to the people in need. At is simplest they should have recognized that in his Signs.

Weighing those things, they should have in the least been in a suspension between:

• Jesus is a son of the Father (disciple).
• Jesus is Son of the Father (divinity).

Having not the willingness to realize and understand for what it was and unable to legitamely conclude…

Then they tried again to arrest him;
but he escaped from their power.

He escaped because the power of the world is not able to overcome the power of the divine.

But he also escaped as a further proof and openness to their possible future conversion.

Because God is merciful.

Fold yourself into the loving mercy of God.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry