Jesus’ Galilean background kept most people so fixed on his human origins that they had a hard time thinking that he could be the Messiah. Especially if they did not like his teaching, they would use his humanity as an argument that he could not possibly be the messiah.

Yet, the power of Jesus’ words turned even the hearts of many of the temple guards, proving that Jesus’ teaching came not simply from his humanness, but from God, from his divinity. Then there was Nicodemus, who stood up, cautiously, to remind the Sanhedrin that we do not condemn before testing the truth of what a person preaches. Unfounded opinions hurt people before the truth is found. Unfortunately, this still rings true on our streets today.

People were so caught up in the argument of where Jesus came from that they dismissed the opportunity of learning who Jesus actually was! They all went back to their homes, angry that their opinions had been challenged. There was no united front in recognizing Jesus. People were so focused on Jesus’ human origin that they eventually became hostile, hostile enough bring about his crucifixion.

Recognizing Jesus matters. Baptism allows us to die and rise with Christ, challenging us to pick up from the Resurrection and become the second life of Christ. Baptism and Eucharist enable us, as St. Peter says in 2 Peter 1:4, “to become partakers of the divine nature.” We need to make our own history and legacy by living the Eucharist for others, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what religion or customs they practice.

Let Us Pray:

Lord, help us remember that we are all called to participate in and live out Jesus’ example. Help us to recognize the call of the resurrected Christ, the cosmic Christ, the universal Christ, and our own divinity through Christ living within us.