Scripture:
Jeremiah 20:10-13
John 10:31-42
Reflection:
“The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?’”
This was Jesus’ response to their charge of blasphemy against him, that he is making himself God. Christ pointed to his works as the basis for faith in him as the Son. “Even if you do not believe me,” Jesus told his opponents, “believe the works…”
Furthermore, Jesus continued, it is God who has consecrated him as God’s son. His mention of consecration revealed the relationship between Jesus and the Feast of Dedication, which the people were celebrating.
The “rededication” was an eight-day festival commemorating Jewish independence under Judas Maccabaeus from Roman rule and the consecration of the temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C.
As the incarnate word, echoing the prologue in John’s gospel, whose body is the “temple,” Jesus is the one consecrated by the Father.
Nevertheless, instead of pressing the claim that “I and the Father are one,” Jesus pointed to his works.
Actions speak louder than words, Jesus was telling them. Jesus urged his opponents to believe his works, which bear witness to who he is. But they remained blind in their stubbornness.
In the case of Jesus, however, his actions as well as his words should have revealed his true character to them. Why? Because the actions of Jesus clearly aligned with his words.
Together, they should build trust and demonstrate reliability in Jesus.
Even so, Jesus emphasized his works. Works are always more powerful than words.
Words may convince the mind but works move the will to action.
Jesus continues to do the work of the Father today in us, Christ’s mystical body, as we serve one another as we build up the Body of Christ.
We see the work of Christ revealed to us most powerfully in the Eucharist. There, in the breaking of the bread, Christ gives us the grace to make our works match what we profess to believe.
Deacon Manuel Valencia is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.