FAUSTI- "They did not believe in Him", despite the signs made in front of them. At the end of the book of signs, John makes a theological reflection on the disbelief that Jesus has met. The Evangelist is concerned to understand the mystery, always present, of the lack of faith. It, like faith, has the power to amaze the Lord Himself: the use that man makes of his freedom is something new, a novelty capable of surprising even those who have given it to him. The signs that Jesus has done are His works on behalf of man, which the evangelist has told us: these should be sufficient to believe that He is the Son of God and to have eternal life. In fact, Jesus says: "If I do not accomplish the works of my Father, do not believe me; but if I do them, even if you do not want to believe Me, believe at least in the works, so that you may know and know that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father"(10,37). Already at the first sign, at Cana, the disciples believed (2:11). Why do others not believe in the Word that gives them the power to become children of God? (1,12). Why darkness do not receive Light (1:11), why do men prefer darkness (3:19) and do not want to come to Him to have life (5:40)? The life and death of man are played out in faith. The text is taken from the account of the vocation of Isaiah. (Is. 6,9-10). But John modifies it. John says that another, not named but well recognizable, "blinded the eyes and hardened the heart. The author of blindness is neither the prophet, nor the people, nor least of all the Lord. It is the head of this world, whom the Lord has come to cast out. And He throws him out with His being lifted up, which makes us see His incredible love. It is the devil, the liar and murderer from the beginning, the Satan who enters the heart of Judah. It, with its lie, has turned his ear away from the Word of life, blinding the eyes and hardening the hearts of all (Gen 3:1...). John also omits the "hardening of the ears" of which Isaiah speaks to insist on the eyes and heart. In fact, whoever has a free heart can see from His works Who He is. He does not propose a doctrine: it is the Light of the world, precisely in His flesh as Son, that makes us see Who is the Father. Jesus is Light, Truth and Life in struggle with the power of darkness, lies and death. He came to cast out the chief of this world. The true opponents of Christ are those who understand the law not as the freedom of children, but as slavery to the letter. The fear of being driven out of the synagogue prevents others from openly confessing their faith in Jesus. Loving the glory of men, as well as hindering the confession of faith is also the third reason for disbelief (5,44), a consequence of the two previous ones. Not knowing the Glory of God, both for His sublimity and for our blindness, we are vainglorious, victims of vanity. Let us become slaves to the eyes of others, let us prefer darkness to Light (3:19) and let us not have in ourselves the Love of God.
FAUSTI- "They did not believe in Him", despite the signs made in front of them.
RispondiEliminaAt the end of the book of signs, John makes a theological reflection on the disbelief that Jesus has met. The Evangelist is concerned to understand the mystery, always present, of the lack of faith. It, like faith, has the power to amaze the Lord Himself: the use that man makes of his freedom is something new, a novelty capable of surprising even those who have given it to him.
The signs that Jesus has done are His works on behalf of man, which the evangelist has told us: these should be sufficient to believe that He is the Son of God and to have eternal life.
In fact, Jesus says: "If I do not accomplish the works of my Father, do not believe me; but if I do them, even if you do not want to believe Me, believe at least in the works, so that you may know and know that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father"(10,37).
Already at the first sign, at Cana, the disciples believed (2:11). Why do others not believe in the Word that gives them the power to become children of God? (1,12). Why darkness do not receive Light (1:11), why do men prefer darkness (3:19) and do not want to come to Him to have life (5:40)?
The life and death of man are played out in faith. The text is taken from the account of the vocation of Isaiah. (Is. 6,9-10).
But John modifies it. John says that another, not named but well recognizable, "blinded the eyes and hardened the heart. The author of blindness is neither the prophet, nor the people, nor least of all the Lord. It is the head of this world, whom the Lord has come to cast out. And He throws him out with His being lifted up, which makes us see His incredible love.
It is the devil, the liar and murderer from the beginning, the Satan who enters the heart of Judah. It, with its lie, has turned his ear away from the Word of life, blinding the eyes and hardening the hearts of all (Gen 3:1...). John also omits the "hardening of the ears" of which Isaiah speaks to insist on the eyes and heart.
In fact, whoever has a free heart can see from His works Who He is. He does not propose a doctrine: it is the Light of the world, precisely in His flesh as Son, that makes us see Who is the Father. Jesus is Light, Truth and Life in struggle with the power of darkness, lies and death. He came to cast out the chief of this world. The true opponents of Christ are those who understand the law not as the freedom of children, but as slavery to the letter. The fear of being driven out of the synagogue prevents others from openly confessing their faith in Jesus. Loving the glory of men, as well as hindering the confession of faith is also the third reason for disbelief (5,44), a consequence of the two previous ones.
Not knowing the Glory of God, both for His sublimity and for our blindness, we are vainglorious, victims of vanity. Let us become slaves to the eyes of others, let us prefer darkness to Light (3:19) and let us not have in ourselves the Love of God.