Actions

The crowd said, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe in you” (John 6:30).

            It has been said that actions speak louder then words. However, actions like words can be misinterpreted. An offer to help someone in need can be seen as a way to prove their inadequacy. A generous donation to a charity can be perceived as an attempt to show off one’s wealth. A gift can be understood as a way to influence someone’s opinion. Even a good deed motivated by the best intention can produce a negative impression.

            In this passage from John, members of the crowd Jesus fed with five loaves and two fish ask him for another Miracle to strengthen their Faith. By doing so, they seem to indicate that all it takes to believe in Christ is to witness one of his signs (Miracles).

            Within John’s Gospel people learn about Jesus in two ways: by listening to what he says or witnessing one of his Miracles. This crowd has witnessed Jesus feed an enormous number of people with a limited amount of food and responded by wanting him to become their king. It also sees the gift of Manna given for food to the Jewish people in the Wilderness as a sign of Moses’s authority. In both cases the problem was not the miracle but the framework within which it was understood. For the crowd, the importance of the Miracles was found in the material world. But both Miracles also indicated God’s power and providential concern for His chosen people. This dimension was clearly misunderstood. If Jesus were to undertake another great sign, how could he be certain they would not misinterpret it as well? Jesus himself is the ultimate sign of God’s concern for the crowd and all humanity. It is for this reason that he is the Bread of Life. Yet, can the crowd ever grasp this idea?

            During this Covid 19 Pandemic even good actions motivated by the best of intentions are often misunderstood. Some conspiracy theorists have promoted the belief that self-isolation and social distancing measures are a plan by the Government to abolish our freedom and control our lives. Even discounting such fringe groups, there can be an element of misunderstanding around an individual’s deeds. When does stocking up on key supplies like toilet paper or hand sanitizer become hoarding? When does checking in on elderly neighbours border on prying? When does maintaining social isolation become a reason to stop caring about others? Perhaps, the essential element in this issue is trust. We have to trust Government and Medical Officials are placing the Common Good (preventing the spread of the virus) ahead of all other concerns. We have to trust that our family, friends and neighbours are concerned about us. We have to trust others keeping two metres away from us is not a sign of ostracism. For Catholics and other people of Faith, trust in God is meant to lead us to trust others. This requires they be willing to give others the benefit of the doubt. It means the framework through which they view the actions of others is one which sees good deeds and intentions even when they are not perfectly executed.

            Although good actions and intentions can be misinterpreted they are still the glue which holds our society together. During times of crisis, individuals often become suspicious of others because some people will use the situation to their advantage. Catholics and other people of Faith have the opportunity and responsibility to provide an example for others so they might recognize the positive things happening around them. Belief in Christ’s goodness or that of others does not require a Miracle just the ability to perceive what is really occurring.

April 28, 2020