Lent Week 4, Thursday – Ex 32:7-14; John 5:31-47

Knowledge has its weight
There is no guarantee that reading it will make you wiser

Today’s Gospel of John reading might challenge us, but stay with me here. It’s a classic: Jesus and the spiritual bigwigs of Israel are at it again. Their ears shut faster than an oyster with a pearl. They consider themselves top-notch scholars of scriptures. Books and scrolls? They’ve read ’em all! But Jesus? They found it somewhat tough to tune into his frequency.

Their mantra? “We’re always right, because we always agree!” Jesus hits back with a classic: “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”

Fast forward to today. We spot the same trend among believers, even those occupying the lofty pedestals. They’re playing Chinese whispers with each other instead of tuning into God’s frequency. “We have studied and we know what God wants!” they proclaim. But what are they studying? Modern theologians, selectively cherry-picking bits and pieces that square with their convenient beliefs. The world whispers, and they lean in, ears pricked up.

But what about yours truly? Am I sticking my fingers in my ears when Jesus talks? Is my fidelity wavering? Am I wholeheartedly embracing the Gospel in my life even when I’m faced with the complex and ambiguous parts? And the key question – am I brushing off Jesus’ teaching, playing the “times have changed” card to justify my belief that I know better than my Master? Now that’s food for thought!