GOSPEL RAISES 2 ISSUES +++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø Often uncomfortable w/ way John refers to Jews

Ø John sometimes seems to demonize them

Ø He almost seems to be anti-Semitic

Ø We see a bit of this in today’s Gospel

Ø So, what is going on here?

Ø Two things, I think

INTOLLERENCE & ANTISEMITISM ++++++++++++++++

Ø 1^st there’s much religious tension in Js’ lifetime & in decades that followed when John is writing

Ø J calls 4 reform & challenges Jewish leaders

Ø Followers of J who came 2B known as XTNS as we hear in 1^st reading, began splitting from Judaism

Ø There’s tension & persecution of XTNS

Ø 2^nd thing going on is smugness

Ø J bothered by smugness of Jewish leaders

Ø Thought they had the truth, all the answers & corner on market of God’s good graces

Ø Didn’t have 2 change or B open 2 changing

Ø This attitude is really what J & then John R so bothered by

Ø John’s is anti-smugness, not anti-Semitic

2 APPLICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø I see two conclusions

Ø 1^st as a Church we’re also guilty of intolerance of other faiths, of XTNS & even of Catholics w/ whom there have been differences or disagreements

Ø We need to be aware of this

Ø We dislike anti-Catholicism even when it is rooted in our mistakes

Ø At same time, we 2 need 2 avoid demonizing any religious group & any group at all

Ø There’re better ways 2 promote the love of G & way of J

Ø 2^nd we also need to be aware of smugness

Ø We can also B smug in way we assert truth & what we believe to be true

Ø Perhaps that’s as displeasing to J as smugness of Jews of his day

CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø 2 things to watch in our own behavior…

Ø Intolerance and smugness, for the Lord is speaking directly to us

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WordsWorthNoting