Monday of the
Third Week of Easter
(Acts 6:8-15; Acts John 6:22-29)
Since Vatican II the Church has admonished Catholics who
think of “the Jews” as guilty of Jesus’ death.
Nevertheless, the term is used especially in the Gospel of John to
indicate the rivals of Jesus. This
reference reflects the time and place of Jesus’ life. It is more correct to think of “the Jews” as
those who do not understand his teaching.
Unfortunately, it would include many baptized Christians today.
For example, many Christians seek the satisfaction of
their sense appetites more than freedom from sin. These are precisely the people whom are labeled
as “the Jews” in today’s gospel. They do not understand that Jesus fed the
multitude to signify his fulfilling a deep-seated spiritual need. He bestows the wherewithal to love one’s
neighbor.
We do want to love our neighbor even if we do not express
ourselves always in this way. We want to
live in peace with everyone. We want
justice to reign and every valid need met.
Following Jesus’ teaching, this hope may be better realized. Remaining like “the Jews,” we will likely
find continued rivalry.
