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In John’s Gospel, the suggestion is that the reason some people didn’t believe in Jesus was because they sought their own glory more than the glory of God. That is, because they sought praise more for themselves, seeking thereby the esteem of others more than God’s esteem, they were spiritually blind, unable to see the Christ standing right in front of them.
Twice Jesus suggests this. First at the beginning of his earthly ministry: “How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?” (Jn 5:44). And then near the end, just as the hour of his Passion was to begin: “Nevertheless, many, even among the authorities, believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not acknowledge it openly in order not to be expelled from the synagogue. For they preferred human praise to the glory of God” (Jn 12:42-43).
Continued below.
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Twice Jesus suggests this. First at the beginning of his earthly ministry: “How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?” (Jn 5:44). And then near the end, just as the hour of his Passion was to begin: “Nevertheless, many, even among the authorities, believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not acknowledge it openly in order not to be expelled from the synagogue. For they preferred human praise to the glory of God” (Jn 12:42-43).
Continued below.
The dangers of spiritual blindness and arrogance
Preparing us for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Joshua Whitfield reflects on the dangers of spiritual blindness and arrogance, the desire to impress others rather than to serve God. He writes: “The point is simple; it’s about the spiritual dangers that attend pride, that come with...
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