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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider We know where he is from

We know where he is from

Published Mar 14, 2024 04:13 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Origins are important. We are always interested where a person is from. In the Philippines, the question “Where are you coming from?” is a cliché when we greet people. 


Non-Filipinos may find it nosy, but it is really an informal way of asking “How are you?” When compatriots meet in a foreign land, they exchange greetings in their own language and ask to which region or city they belong. In the Gospel, there is talk about the origin of the Messiah.


The people claim that since they know where Jesus comes from, he cannot be the Messiah because no one should know where the Messiah is from. Are they talking about Nazareth? Or even Bethlehem? 


Yet words from Jesus reveal further the mystery of his origin: he did not come on his own; he was sent—and the one who sent him is not known to the people, thus refuting their claim that Jesus cannot be the Messiah. 


The blessing we now have is that we know that Jesus is the Messiah and that he comes from the Father, and that we continue to know him more deeply through our personal encounters with him. Do we seek to know Jesus more and more each day?

 

Gospel • John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 

Jesus moved about within Galilee; but he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. 
 

But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. 


Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”
So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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