By Jacob Perikala csc –
Readings: Num 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30
The first reading tells me that God forgives me at all times and is ever ready to receive me when I turn to him. The gospel reading fulfills the reading of the Old Testament that God’s wisdom is given to simple people and is hidden from others.
That is the reason the Pharisees failed to believe in Jesus while others believed in him. I fail to be open minded and assume what I think is true. I fail to change my thinking according to the situation; which is the problem of a rigid mind.
As I live in the community, I fail to see Jesus in others and think that they are not worthy to be a Jesus in my life because I know them well. God does not come to me as I think he would, in the form of glories.
In fact, God comes through different people I live with. Today, God is inviting me to have an open mind so that I may act according to the situation and believe that my friends also are Jesus in my life.
With such thinking, I can experience heaven on this earth. This attitude would also help me to understand that everyone is worthy to be a Jesus in my life. This will help me to see people as they are and not as what I think of them.