First Reading - Wisdom 2:1,12-22
Gospel - John 7:1-2,10,25-30
The first reading highlights the contrast between the godly and the ungodly. The godly, or righteous, refer to the faithful Jews (though it can also mean any righteous person), while the unrighteous represent the Gentile nations. The author is keen to distinguish the chosen ones (faithful Jews) from others, emphasizing their belief in one God, their righteous way of life, and their desire to please God by fulfilling His expectations. Living as faithful Jews among hostile nations was never easy, as others sought to taunt and persecute them, hoping to pressure them into abandoning their faith and adopting foreign practices. (This passage specifically refers to the persecution faced by faithful Jews in Alexandria by renegades and their Gentile allies.) Ultimately, the author asserts that the unrighteous will face divine consequences for their actions, while the righteous will be rewarded for their faithfulness. The Book of Wisdom also presents an enduring truth: the righteous person often becomes a source of discomfort for the unrighteous, as their life stands in stark contrast to that of the wicked.
The Gospel passage continues the theme of opposition, focusing on the hostility of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus. Their hatred intensifies as Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for the feast and reveals his divine origin. Many were watching him closely, anticipating his arrival at the temple and observing the leaders' reactions. Despite this, Jesus fearlessly enters the temple and teaches there. The opposition and hatred he faces do not deter him from speaking the truth about himself and his mission.
Dear friends, it is easy to go with the flow, but difficult to stand against it. Today’s readings challenge our Christian life in the face of worldly temptations. A faithful Christian life stands in direct opposition to worldly beliefs, ideologies, and ambitions. The first reading makes it clear that a righteous life shines in contrast to a deceitful one, and God rewards those who remain faithful. Jesus, despite facing opposition and hatred, never wavered from speaking the truth, which testified to his righteousness. As Christians, we are called to a life of integrity—one that does not conform to the majority but remains steadfast in truth and righteousness. It is easy to compromise with evil in order to survive, but that does not give true meaning to our Christian identity. Jesus did not compromise with opposition and hatred for the sake of survival; rather, he remained committed to his mission, fulfilling the purpose for which he came into the world.
Both the first reading and the Gospel warn us that living a truthful and righteous life comes at a cost. A life of truth inevitably stands out and opposes unrighteousness. However, the first reading assures us that if we persevere in righteousness, God will reward us in due time.
Let us pray that God may grant us the strength to live a righteous and authentic Christian life.
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