Chaos and Confusion???

Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent

So the people could not agree about him. John 7:43

As our Lenten journey continues, the readings are intensifying towards the crescendo of Holy Week where Jesus will be arrested and crucified for his claim to be the Messiah. In today’s Gospel, we see the chaos and confusion of the people who are unsure whether to believe Jesus’ claims and follow the way he is teaching. Part of the confusion arose because Christ came from an unlikely, rural place like Galilee, whereas the people knew the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah to be Bethlehem. (We of course know that Jesus was born whilst Mary and Joseph were visiting Bethlehem from their home in Nazareth, Galilee.)

The chaos and confusion of the people can be seen in our world today when it is hard to know who, or what, to believe, to distinguish fake news from real, scammers from honest folk, and false prophecy from truth. How then are we to know what to do? Our first reading and psalm hold the answer to trust in God and to take shelter in him.

The reading from the prophet Jeremiah speaks of his trust in God in the face of adversity as he knows that God will protect him from the hands of those who seek to kill him, “For I have committed my cause to you” (Jer 11:20). Similarly, our psalm reminds us of God’s faithfulness to us in times of trial—that he is a shelter, refuge, shield and just judge, and that those who put their trust in the Lord have nothing to fear.

Jesus, you are the way, the truth and the life. Help us to remain faithful to you and to follow you with unwavering trust. Amen.

Bernadette Toohey