Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Roger Solis, SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Religious leaders work for what is best for the people they served. Particularly during the time of Christ, they would often consider their wishes and decisions as manifestations of God’s will. This seemed to be a form of blind obedience but it was widely accepted during those times. But in the case of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest during the time of Christ, blind obedience had its crucial effect.
In today’s Gospel Caiaphas made a thought-provoking decision that divided his people. “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” (John 11,49-50)
His decision, however , was clearly a blatant justification of incompetence. That is why Caiaphas and his followers made Christ as their excuse, their scapegoat in order to save their face from the Roman Empire. But they did not know that killing an innocent person does not justify any claims of future security Caiaphas’s position was very ironical because he was afraid of the Romans, yet, as a high priest, he was not afraid of God.
Most people tend to act haphazardly. They make judgments without examining the circumstances. They make decisions without exploring the possibilities and without weighing the cost. They act as if they already know what is going to happen in the future. They project themselves as if they are sure of things to come despite their murky perception.
As a consequence, they make decisions that they soon regret. Only then will they realize that there are things that they missed in their decision –making. And from them we must learn.
We should not forget that the will of God is more powerful than everything we desire in life. Hence, if we do not get what we like, we should rather like what we get. Moreover, we need time to discern what God is telling us in each event of our lives.
We need not look for extraordinary signs just to be convinced that what we are experiencing the will of God.
Lastly, we need to pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. God has sent us His Spirit to be our advocate and guide. Decisions are not hard to make if you have God in your hearts. For with God we can do everything.
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