Word to the Wise
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Easter
[Acts 12:24 - 13:5 and John 12:44-50]Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
The passage from the Gospel of John that forms the gospel scripture for today comes at the end of the first half of the gospel - what is known as the Book of Signs. It is a rather sad summary of the practical results of Jesus' ministry, which was reflected to some degree in the situation of the church at the time the gospel was put into writing. The summary indicates that despite all Jesus' best efforts, some refused to believe, some preferred to be "closet believers" and some did accept his teaching at the risk of their own lives. Frustration shows here. He has an offer that can't be beat: eternal life! But he wasn't getting a lot of takers during his time of ministry. It was only after the Spirit was sent that numbers began to increase! News media make a big thing of numbers! They will trumpet the recent survey about the "loss of membership" which a recent Pew Survey indicated was taking place among some American Catholics. It's as if the truth is a matter of the number of those who believe it - a true consumer faith if ever I heard it. Of course, this is all part of the feeding frenzy that some media go into whenever they have a chance to say something negative about the Catholic church or Catholic faith. I am reminded in their case of Pilate's cynical remark at Jesus' trial (in this same gospel), "What is truth?" The sheer millions of Catholics around the world seem in their estimate to be victims of an illusion! It is only when a particular religion has a political impact that it seems to be important - not what it believes but what power it has. Jesus' assessment of his own ministry is one that we should take to heart. Like him, we cannot be discouraged in the effort to proclaim and live te truth of the gospel. But we can't say he didn't warn us about the outcome. Discipleship and ministry require a constant effort without counting noses as a sign of success. AMEN