First reading Jeremiah 11:18-20
‘Let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name may be quickly forgotten’
The Lord revealed it to me; I was warned. O Lord, that was when you opened my eyes to their scheming. I for my part was like a trustful lamb being led to the slaughter-house, not knowing the schemes they were plotting against me, ‘Let us destroy the tree in its strength, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name may be quickly forgotten!’
But you, the Lord of Hosts, who pronounce a just sentence,
who probe the loins and heart,
let me see the vengeance you will take on them,
for I have committed my cause to you.
Responsorial Psalm 7:2-3,9-12
O Lord, my God, I take refuge in you.
O Lord, my God, I take refuge in you.
Save and rescue me from all my pursuers,
lest they tear me apert like a lion,
and drag me off with no one to rescue me.
Give judgement for me, O Lord,
for I am just and blameless of heart.
Put an end to the evil of the wicked!
Make the just man stand firm;
it is you who test mind and heart,
O God of justice!
God is a shield before me,
Who saves the upright of heart.
God is a judge, just and powerful and patient,
Not exercising anger every day.
Gospel John 7:40-52
The Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without hearing him
Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him.
The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law – they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus – the same man who had come to Jesus earlier – said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?’ To this they answered, ‘Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.’
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Standing on the side of Jesus
Jesus causes divisions among His listeners. While some doubt His role as a prophet, others recognise Him as the Messiah but hesitate to follow. The chief priests and Pharisees seek to condemn Him for violating the law. Nicodemus is the only one who defends Jesus, showing both respect and fear of his peers. He argues, “But surely the Law does not permit us to pass judgment on a man without giving him a hearing.” His fellow Pharisees respond with insults. Ultimately, Nicodemus aligns himself with Jesus and, with Joseph of Arimathea, lays Him to rest in a tomb after the crucifixion (John 19:38-42).
A true encounter with Jesus urges us to move beyond simply forming opinions about who He is. We must consciously choose to commit ourselves to following Him, even if it means facing criticism and rejection from others. We can no longer sit on the sidelines; it is essential that we allow Jesus to shape how we live each day.
Reflective question:
How can I identify and overcome the challenges in my life that prevent me from fully committing to my faith?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
