The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Cornelio Alpuerto SVD – University of San Carlos, Cebu City
Wednesday 24th Week in Ordinary Time
What do you think? Suppose an Opinion Survey–if the thing had already been fashionable at the time–had been taken of John the Baptist and of Jesus of Nazareth, how would they have fared? Of course, we suppose also that the survey had been conducted by a reputable, independent body and, more importantly, not funded, nor influenced in any way, by the Scribes and Pharisees. And the respondents? We suppose again, a good segment of the population of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea, Jerusalem especially. How would Jesus have fared? How would, John the Baptizer?
Predictably, either one would have obtained a negative rating. How low would have been Jesus’ rating? Lower that, John’s? Possibly. Hard for us to tell, from our vantage point.
But of this we might be sure: the main reason for the poor result on John would have been his seeming negative attitude towards food and intoxicating drinks, and so, apparently, he was possessed by a demon. And on Jesus? Among others, that he seemed to appreciate food and drinks too much and, worse still, that he would eat and drink with sinners and tax collectors.
Now, what if demonstrations were also already fashionable in those days, what would have been the cry of the demonstrators when the survey results were out? Probably, for John: “Down with John! Oust him from the wilderness and the Jordan!” And for Jesus: “Oust him from the streets, the synagogues, and the temple area!” Just short of saying: “Oust him from the face of the earth!”
Come to think of it: When Jesus stood before Pilate, as before a representative of the powerful of this world, did not Pilate conduct an official, if oral, opinion survey? In a last–minute attempt to save Jesus from his enemies, he asked the mob right there before him as he sat on his throne: “Jesus, or Barabas?” And the resounding answer –“Release Barabas to us! Crucify Jesus!
A cry that should make us sit and think and ask: What of the thousands whom Jesus fed and healed and enlightened–for free? No collection taken up, no enriching of himself at all. Did they suddenly become the silent majority? Or, were they so easily swayed into joining the outspoken minority, turning their backs just like that on their Great Benefactor?
At any rate, they had their way. They crucified Jesus.
Only after he had breathed his last did dawn on those who crucified him what a terrible mistake they had made. Virtually giving voice to the many, the centurion and his men at Calvary, seeing what was happening at his death, exclaimed: “Truly, this is the son of God!’
But it was too late. The word of redeeming the world had been finished!
