Daily Bible Reflections - March 15,2013

CRITICS

 

The Jews were trying to kill him. – John 7:1

 

You know who critics are? They’re people who think they know you, but they don’t. They think they own you until they find out they don’t. They want you to do their bidding — to think and act like them. But you won’t.

So they will try to destroy you, malign you, curse you, and, if possible, kill you.

Jesus stayed in Galilee. It was a place of people who weren’t “pure Jews.” In fact, a “Galilean” may mean an “outsider,” a “non-traditional Jew.” And there, people believed Him. At the beginning of His ministry, He didn’t wish to travel to Judea (then the Pharisaic center of Judaism, along with Jerusalem), because the Jews there were trying to kill Him, which they eventually did. Why would Jesus be hated by His own “brother-Jews”? In fact, why should it be difficult for a prophet to be honored in his own country, by his own people?

Simple. Because your own people think they know you. But they don’t. They think they own you until they find out they don’t. They want you to do their bidding — to think and act like them. But you won’t. So… they will try to kill you.

Jews in Jesus’ time. Critics in our time. Alvin Barcelona (apb_ayo@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Who are your critics? Do they genuinely care for you and want to help you become a better person? Or are they simply out to destroy you? Ignore them if you can. And pray for them.

 

Dear Jesus, grant me the grace to be like You in handling my critics — discerning, strong, yet loving. Amen.

 

St. Louise de Marillac, pray for us.