This week’s Gospel ends on a somewhat strange note. Many people begin to believe in Jesus, but he does not trust them. He knows human nature a little too well, it seems.
I recently experienced a profound consolation during a community day of recollection. We made the day a “thin place” by keeping silent and making time for
God.
I reflected on my struggles with self-esteem and self-acceptance. I realised how I so often seek my self-worth through rationality (trying to create arguments that prove I am worthy of God’s love). I seek self-worth in the esteem and praise of others (trying to please everyone in my life).
I realised that these were flimsy foundations upon which to base my
self-worth. Instead, it should be rooted in the fact that God already loves me no matter what. I should have inner peace for its own sake and not for any reason.
Jesus may have realised that the people's faith was built upon flimsy foundations. Sometimes, we base our faith on elaborate reasoning, a hope for prosperity, a desire to fit in, or grand signs and miracles.
These are flimsy foundations for our faith because they can all be collapsed too easily. There is always a counter-argument, loss, someone who doesn’t like us, or a lack of miracles.
Jesus is inviting us to make him the firm foundation of our faith. It is his very identity to love us. These are reasons for faith that he can trust, that we can rely on. As we continue our Lenten journey, let us return to him with all our
hearts.
Reflections by Sean van Staden SJ
