WHY DO YOU STONE ME?
(John 10:31-42)
The Jews in today’s gospel had
taken up stones to stone Jesus. They are still holding the stones just like the
men who caught the adulterous woman. Jesus wondered why they should stone Him.
What has He done wrong? What is His crime? He rolled out the numerous good things
He has done for them; He reminded them of the many good works He has revealed
to them from the Father. Then, He asked them: For which of these do you stone
me?
When evil men want to have their
way in their wickedness, they cook up a reason to back up their actions. They
know how to give the dog a bad name in order to eliminate it. Thus, they said
that they were stoning Jesus not because of His good works but because of
blasphemy; that He called Himself God. But is He not God? They were the ones
making a mistake. Beware of stoning people out of your own mistake and
ignorance of God and His ways.
Why do we use the stones in our
hands on the wrong persons? Can't we learn from David who picked up stones to
stone the enemy of God and of the people of God? We have a common enemy as
human beings created in the image and likeness of God. He is the devil. He is
the one Jesus came to save us from His traps. He is the architect of our
problems and our tempter. Let us unite our forces with Christ to destroy every
satanic ploy and evil plots.
But why do you stone? What are
you doing with those stones in your hand? Why are you targeting innocent people
to destroy them? Why do you enjoy inflicting harm on people?
When you do that, do you know you
are directly harming Jesus Christ? Yes, You're. Because His word says:
'whatever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me'. Whatever;
good or bad. Think twice about the way you treat people, the way you pick
quarrels, the way you pick offence, the way you
get angry, the way you spread rumours, the way you gossip, the way you
destroy people's good names, the way you tell lies, the way you accuse innocent
people, the way you misjudge and the way you tarnish image and kill. When you
do these Jesus asks you: Why do you stone me?
Are you receiving stones Child of
God? Learn the attitude of Jesus. Do not be discouraged. Do not stop your good
works. Do not fear. Keep on keeping on. They have seen nice fruits in you, rain
down sweet fruits for these people. Melt their hearts of stone with fruits of
love. You can convert them to start believing. Someday, they will drop those
stones. They will get tired. They will never arrest you. God will show you a
way out, from those who persecute you. They will gather but their gathering
will be in vain.
LET US PRAY
We thank You Lord for teaching us
by Your word on the best way to disarm those who stone us. We pray today that
we may not waste the holy stones of faith, prayers, abstinence and love which
you have put in our hands. May we not pick up wrong stones of wickedness,
hatred and envy. May we not give up when evil men gather against us. Strengthen
us by your grace through Christ our Lord. Amen
God bless your Friday (5th Week
of Lent)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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