Daily Gospel and Commentary: “WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO (v.47)” (Jn 11:45–56 ).
Gospel of Saturday, 5th week of Lent
Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him.
So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples.
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?”
GOSPEL COMMENTARY
What are we going to do? This was the question posed by the chief priests in Pharisees who were aware that Jesus was performing many signs and were afraid that all would believe in Him and that the Romans will come and take away their land and their nation.
- As could be gleaned from their words, the Pharisees were afraid that they would lose their position and their possession, their power and their wealth. Hence they were intent to put Jesus to death for, as Caiaphas said: it is better for one man to die so that the whole nation may not perish.…So from then on, they planned to kill him.
- This is an inexcusable justification: the death of one just man to protect one’s interest, no matter how noble it may be.
We are also capable of falling into this grave sin: carrying out an unjust act to our own benefit. Many times, it would be in small things…but even then, it is morally unacceptable.
As we are about to begin the Holy Week, what shall we do then? Let us choose to believe in Jesus, accept him, his teachings, and his holy Catholic Church, and strive daily to put into effect in our lives all that he has taught for love.
What shall we do then especially during this Holy Week in this pandemic crisis? First, let us try to live it the best manner possible: in a holy way. Then as Pope Francis said in his Holy Week video message:
It is a difficult time for everyone. For many, very difficult. The Pope knows this and, with these words, he wants to tell everyone of his closeness and affection. Let us try, if we can, to make the best use of this time: let us be generous; let us help those in need in our neighbourhood; let us look out for the loneliest people, perhaps by telephone or social networks; let us pray to the Lord for those who are in difficulty in Italy and in the world. Even if we are isolated, thought and spirit can go far with the creativity of love. This is what we need today: the creativity of love. This is what is needed today: the creativity of love.
Let us ask Our Lord pardon for the many times we have acted this way. And may we firmly resolve to do what is right and just even if its consequences go against our own benefit.
