Encountering Jesus: The Challenge of Preformed Opinions

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12; John 7:40-53

Summary

Could even Jesus be believed by you in your current state of mind?

Jn 7:53 – Then each went to his own house. Perhaps we can understand this as Then each RETREATED to his own preformed OPINION.

In today’s gospel portion we can see clearly the same problem as of today. Failure to dialog honestly and encounter things as they are and as they might be. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” (Jn 7:45-46).

The leadership was intent on making sure all viewed Jesus as a fake and they sent guards to arrest him.

1. Have you also been deceived? [logical fallacy: Appeal to Ignorance] How can you even know the truth because you are but a guard.
2. Have any of the authorities believed in him? [logical fallacy: Appeal to Authority] How can you believe anyone other than the leadership.
3. This crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed. [logical fallacy: Ad Hominem] People are not accursed.
4. They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee. [logical fallacy: Strawman Argument] Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Given the current public discourse here in the USA it is hard to imagine Jesus can be viewed as anyone except through a political lens.

Reflection

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance (LK 8:15). Do me justice, O LORD, because I am just, and because of the innocence that is mine. Let the malice of the wicked come to an end, but sustain the just, O searcher of heart and soul, O just God (PS 7: 9-10).

Personal Reflection

Encountering Jesus requires a certain type of innocence (absence of any sly or cunning intelligence) in the encounter itself. A true and real expression of who we are and how we are – warts and all! Only then can we begin to see the magnificence of his dwelling among us and the salvation he brings! Otherwise, Then each will go to his own house.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040525.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry