Daily Gospel Reading: John 16: 29-33
Reading today's gospel, I ponder on how knowledge and belief of Jesus can be at opposite ends - in conflict with each other. Here the disciples are proclaiming they believe Jesus as being the Messiah, but Jesus knows the heart and tries to make them realize that knowledge is not the panacea for belief. He foretells their falling away from Truth - even after stating their knowledge of who Jesus is. It is a dangerous road traversed by those who seek knowledge. For can we know God - can one become so confident and arrogant to say that they understand how God functions, how He thinks and why? Reminds me of the Book of Job. I recall learning a saying which has stayed with me...you know the saying "God is light" or "God is love"? It is used often...but guess what...it is inaccurate. Light is in God, love is in God...for nothing can contain the complete essence of God. Knowledge without humility to our own short capacity is dangerous. Let us seek reason, knowledge, truth...but always asking the Holy Spirit to guide us, to lead us to what we need to know to help ourselves and others achieve our salvation. For what good is knowledge, if it leads us astray from our goal ? ... to be in communion with God. God Bless.
Reading today's gospel, I ponder on how knowledge and belief of Jesus can be at opposite ends - in conflict with each other. Here the disciples are proclaiming they believe Jesus as being the Messiah, but Jesus knows the heart and tries to make them realize that knowledge is not the panacea for belief. He foretells their falling away from Truth - even after stating their knowledge of who Jesus is. It is a dangerous road traversed by those who seek knowledge. For can we know God - can one become so confident and arrogant to say that they understand how God functions, how He thinks and why? Reminds me of the Book of Job. I recall learning a saying which has stayed with me...you know the saying "God is light" or "God is love"? It is used often...but guess what...it is inaccurate. Light is in God, love is in God...for nothing can contain the complete essence of God. Knowledge without humility to our own short capacity is dangerous. Let us seek reason, knowledge, truth...but always asking the Holy Spirit to guide us, to lead us to what we need to know to help ourselves and others achieve our salvation. For what good is knowledge, if it leads us astray from our goal ? ... to be in communion with God. God Bless.
