Never before has anyone spoken like this one

SATURDAY 28 MARCH (Jn 7,40-53)

Jesus is not only powerful in works, he is also powerful in words. This testimony is given by the Emmaus disciples: “They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him” (Lk 24,19-20). “And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” (Lk 4,22). The Word of Jesus was always uttered in the Holy Spirit, full of wisdom, truth, holiness, forgiveness, mercy and light. It was said with all intelligence. It didn’t need further explanation. It went straight to the heart and in the Holy Spirit, if the person was of good will, he was immediately attracted to it. The guards go to arrest Jesus, but are captivated by his words. In the garden of Gethsemane the words of Jesus become like an impetuous wind that makes the guards who came to arrest him fall to the ground: “Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I Am.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me” ” (Jn 18,4-9). The disciples leave and the guards can arrest Jesus. Today it is not a time of arresting.

The response that the Pharisees give to the guards really testifies to the fact that sin decrees in their hearts: “Did you let yourself be fooled too? Did any of the leaders or Pharisees believe in him? But these people, who do not know the Law, are cursed!” Their sin is raised to the criterion of truth. There is no greater malice, but not even a more evil pride. The Psalm really takes place in them: “Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil” (Ps 36 (35), 1-5). Here is Satan’s pride in their hearts: they don’t believe and nobody has to believe. Their sin must be the universal law. Whoever believes in Jesus sins against them, denies their authority. The man of sin has exceeded all limits.

Some in the crowd who heard these words said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But others said, “The Messiah will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not scripture say that the Messiah will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this one.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” Then each went to his own house,

Verily the Pharisees do not know the Law. The declaration of a curse on those who do not know the Law also applies to them. They cursed themselves. In fact, not only in any part of the Law it is written that prophets do not arise from Galilee. In Isaiah’s prophecy it is written that the light comes from Galilee. They are nothing but slapdash people of lies and in the name of lies impose their unbelief and sin on the whole world. When the men of God come to such corruption, there is no salvation for the people. Blindness invades the earth and wickedness consumes it. If salt loses its flavour, to nothing else is needed but to be thrown and trampled.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints always arrange that the Christian is true salt and light.