Reflection 24/The Will to Recognize Truth/Races
“But watch, lest any of you look with disdain upon the children of Abraham because they have fallen on these evil days of traditional barrenness. Our forefathers gave themselves up to the persistent and passionate search for God, and they found him as no other whole race of men had ever known him since the times of Adam, who knew much of this because he himself was a Son of God. My Father has not failed to mark the long and untiring struggle of Israel, ever since the days of Moses, to find God and to know God. For weary generations the Jews have not ceased to toil, sweat, groan, travail, and endure the sufferings and experience the sorrows of a misunderstood and despised people, all in order that they might come a little nearer the discovery of the truth about God. And notwithstanding all the failures and falterings of Israel, our fathers progressively, from Moses to the times of Amos and Hosea, did reveal increasingly to the whole world an ever clearer and more truthful picture of the eternal God. And so was the way prepared for the still greater revelation of the Father, which you have been called to share.”
As Jesus and his apostles journeyed to Caesaria Phillipi toward the base of Mount Hermon, he once again drew them close. As pressures mounted from all sides, he wanted to prepare them for the trials and hardships that would challenge them in the days ahead. In this last year of his life, he worked like a man who knew he didn’t have much time. He was continually training his apostles, disciples and remaining followers to know what to do once he was gone.
He had worked hard with them to sow his gospel among the Gentiles in Phoenicia, all while avoiding public displays of healing or anything that might be considered miraculous. He wanted to attract people to the deeper and more spiritual content of his message this time. Then he worked to teach and attract followers engaged in global trade in those cities who could take his gospel message far and wide—from cities like Tyre and Sidon.
Back in Palestine, his people continued the strange and conflicted relationship that they’d always had with prophets like himself. Though revered once they were dead, holy men had often been martyred by the Jewish priesthood. Like Isaiah--sawn in two by a Judean king—or Jeremiah who’d been beaten, tortured and exiled. Jesus knew before coming that he might have a difficult time delivering his message through the Jews but he must have felt that no other race had as deep and abiding a relationship with God. He wanted them to be the torchbearers of his gospel.
That conflicted relationship, manifesting now as the troublesome prophecy of a Messiah connected to political power, was creating another situation where the Jewish people were finding themselves at odds with a holy messenger.
Palestine was an important crossroads in the ancient world. Roman highways crisscrossed Jewish lands and the goods from Egypt, Syria and the Eastern empires flowed through Palestine as Judean wine, Galilean olive oil and dried fish from the Sea of Galilee flowed out. It was important for all that these highways remained unobstructed. The Romans especially needed them clear for the soldiers.
The Romans viewed the Jews as both valuable trading partners and a defeated people that were easy to tax for their empire. At the height of his popularity, when the Roman highways were clogged with poor and infirm Jews seeking Jesus for healing—and with the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem pressuring them to arrest him--the Romans became wary of all the fuss Jesus was making. They had a history of “washing their hands” of strictly Jewish affairs to keep the peace and were prone to do so this time, too. Romans were eager to keep the Jewish authorities happy and all of their roadways through Palestine open.
The Greeks of that time would’ve looked with detached amusement at such things. But Jesus, fluent in Greek, was coming into increasing contact with them and they were impressed by how learned and compelling he was. As events played out, the Greeks would become key players in spreading his gospel.
But at this moment, camped beneath the mulberry trees for lunch at the base of Mount Hermon in Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his apostles who all of these different people said that he was? Among the replies were a “prophet like Isiaih” or even “as John the Baptist risen from the dead”. But he wondered, if his apostles were to endure hardship for him in the future, what did they think?
“Who say you that I am?”, he asked them then, sweeping his arm wide to indicate them all. Peter answered first, “You are the Deliverer. The Son of the living God.” And then Jesus told them that it was God within him that had imparted this truth. But as they journeyed on toward the mountain, it wouldn’t be long before he made sure that they were given an additional sign. Jesus wanted them to know who he was without any doubt, given what might come.
Reflection
Summer is coming to an end and Jesus and the twelve have not ventured into Galilee at all. Thinking about the mysterious message that came with the pebble, it wouldn’t be like him to say that you’d see him soon if it wasn’t true. What could that possibly mean? No matter how much it came to mind, it made no sense.
CHILDREN RESPONSES AFTER REFLECTION
The children reflected deeply on the message about the search for God, recognizing truth, remaining faithful during difficult times, and understanding who Jesus truly was. The discussion was meaningful, and the children were encouraged to look beyond the story and connect its lessons to their own lives.
Each child shared a personal thought .
Jerimiah:i realise that even when people fail, they can continue searching for God.
Mark:For me, the reflection shows that we should not judge people because of their mistakes. We should remember the good they have tried to do and continue learning from them.
Shalom:We should seek to understand what is true in our own lives.
I learn that Jesus wanted his followers to understand the truth deeply, not just believe because of miracles.
Salima:I understood that knowing God is a journey. Sometimes people suffer and struggle, but they can still continue searching for God and truth.
Rihana:Jesus prepared his followers for difficult times. It teaches me that we should prepare ourselves spiritually and not give up when life becomes hard.
Flowrence:I learned that truth can sometimes be difficult to recognize because people have different opinions. We need to listen, think deeply and allow God to guide us.
Kyatwike:truth should not be kept for ourselves; we should share the good with others just as Jesus wanted his message to reach different people and nations.
Erizeth:The reflection has taught me that people can misunderstand someone who is doing good. We should not stop doing what is right simply because others do not understand us.
Francis:I learn that faith is not only about what we see. Peter recognized who Jesus was through a deeper understanding. We should also learn to recognize God beyond what our eyes can see.
Benjamin:What I learn is that people can struggle for generations to discover truth. This means we should value the truth we have received and continue seeking greater understanding.
Victor:To me i understood that Jesus knew difficult things were coming, but he still continued his mission. It teaches me to remain strong and continue doing what is right even when I know things may become difficult.
Christopher:For me, the reflection is about recognizing truth with the heart. We should not simply follow what everyone else says, but seek to know for ourselves what is true above all seek the angels guidence
Desilanta:I learned that God can work through people even when they are not perfect. We should look beyond people's weaknesses and recognize the good and truth that they are trying to bring.
