Bible Reflections I 19.09.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 25

Readings 

         I - Wis. 2: 12, 17-20

        II - Jas. 3: 16 - 4:3

       III - Mk. 9: 30 -37

                 

THE TREE THAT BEARS FRUIT WILL BE STONED

The righteous and the upright life of people is often considered as a sign of contradiction and therefore is always an inconvenience and a great threat to the ‘people of this world’ (Lk. 16:8).  Their envy and selfish attitude shun them from associating freely and spontaneously with the ‘people of light’ (Lk. 16:8).  Therefore the people of darkness, those who belong to this world, torment and torture the people of light under the pretext of examining their endurance and credibility and in the end they erase them from the face of the earth itself.  This is the crux of all three readings today.  The two readings culminate in the Gospel passage today in which Jesus explains about his suffering, death and resurrection to his disciples.  Jesus did good wherever he went (Acts. 10:38) but still he was a threat to the Pharisees because they thought that the whole world was after him (Jh. 12:19).  It was merely because of sheer jealousy and unwillingness to accept the good in Jesus.       

There is a famous saying, “The tree that bears fruit will be stoned”.  Virtuous and good people are always a stumbling block by their very life to the people who live anyhow and any way. They will be dreaded and derided for no reason. If we suffer because we live by Gospel values, let us caution and encourage ourselves with the word of Jesus - "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you……..If it persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jh. 15: 18-21); “Rejoice and be glad; for great is your reward in heaven” (Mt. 5:12).  Let us live as St. Paul exhorts, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2).  Dare to follow the preaching and life of Jesus who has conquered this world (Jh. 16:33), for he says, “I will be with you always even until the end of the world” (Mt28:20).  With Jesus we can overcome all things and all people, at all times.