Throwing Stones

The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled—can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there. John 10:31-42

It is a common human response when our world is upended, to blame, to strike out and to throw stones. From bad drivers in traffic, to overt cruelty and violence, we can be brought to rage and violence ourselves. When loved ones are put in danger, we want to strike out. The words of Jesus unsettled the religious leaders of his day, so much so, they rose up with violence. Some people and behaviors upset us today and we ache to demonize them. But today, we are invited to slip way, to move to the places of healing. 

Gracious Creator, you gave us abundance

and we pick quarrels and fight over the bounty

thinking we are in charge, believing we control

yet you know the frailty of our real existence.

Help us to quiet our hearts and minds today

let us seek out and become places of healing

make us those who drop the stones on the ground

and use our strength foe love and service alone. Amen.