Acts 11:19-26 Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 Jn 10:22-30

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

“‘How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.’” -John 10:22-30

This passage in the Gospel of John illustrates that as of yet, Jesus has not outright told many that he is the Son of God. His only believers are his faithful disciples, and he has shown who he truly is through his actions and good deeds. As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words,” but without a solid confession as to his divine descent, others will not believe that Jesus is the Christ.

I believe this passage expresses two important points. The first is that as Jesus’ disciples followed him with the utmost of trust, it is an exercise in faith for believers in Christ today to also have confidence in his message and deeds. Instead of always searching for the most obvious ways to believe that Jesus is with us, such as praying for help to do well in school or to succeed during finals week, the best way to stay faithful is to look into the subtleties of how he acts in this world, through the goodness of friends, family, teachers, or even strangers.

The second point, I believe, is to never forget the power of actions as a definition of character. The way Jesus most could show his relationship with his Father was to be like his Father: unconditionally loving. Similarly, I think the best way to be a caring and loving person is not telling others you are so, but to actually be a caring and loving person through kindhearted deeds and words. It seems obvious, yet what we say and how we act don’t always match up, especially in this morally pluralistic world where we are thrown one ethical or political issue after another and expected to take a stance or act upon it. I believe this passage serves as a reminder that actions, and not words, speak of true character.