Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
There was never a more innocent man than Jesus. Yet, he challenged many people by his innocence. Why? Well, perhaps it is because those who are the holiest among us have a way of pointing out the defects in our own lives. The light of Jesus shone into the darkest spots of humanity, making our faults very clear and obvious. People will either accept the challenge of Jesus and come out of the darkness or be driven further into hiding within it. Those who like living in the shadows will do everything possible to destroy the light trying to shine on their faults.
Isaiah knew this to be true. He predicted it when he said:
“The wicked said among themselves,
thinking not aright:
‘Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
Reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
He professes to have knowledge of God
and styles himself a child of the Lord.
To us he is the censure of our thoughts;
merely to see him is a hardship for us,
Because his life is not like that of others,
and different are his ways.
He judges us debased;
he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure.’”
We look to those who are holy to inspire us to be better. We look to Jesus to be the model for living as God wants us to live. His life might cause others to want to destroy him, but the life of Jesus makes us want to follow him. His light puts out our need to change and shows us the path to life everlasting.