Never before has anyone spoken like this man.

????Today, the Gospel presents the different reactions, which the words of our Lord produced. John's text does not offer us any word from the Master, but it does mention the consequences of what He said. Some thought He was a prophet; others said “This is truly the Prophet.” (Jn 7:41).

????Jesus Christ is truly a “sign that will be contradicted” as Simon had told Mary (Lk 2:34). Those who listened to Jesus' words did not remain indifferent to them, to the point that, on this occasion, as in many others, “a division occurred in the crowd because of him” (Jn 7:43). The reply of the officers who wanted to arrest the Lord centers the question and shows us the power of Christ's words: “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” (Jn 7:46). It is like saying: His words are different; they are not empty boastful words, full of arrogance and falseness. He is “the Truth” and his way of speaking reflects this reality.

????And if this happened amid his audience, his deeds provoked even more amazement and admiration; but also, criticism, gossip, hate... Jesus Christ spoke “the language of charity”: his deeds and his words showed the deep love He felt towards all men, especially those more in need of assistance.

????Today we as Christians are must be “a sign of contradiction”, because we do not speak and behave like others do. By imitating and following Jesus Christ, we must use “the language of charity and love”, a necessary language that, we all must understand. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, wrote in his encyclical Deus caritas est, “Love will always prove necessary, even in the most just society. Whoever wants to eliminate love is preparing to eliminate man as such".

????Saint Irenaeus of Lyon says “He who was the Son of God became the Son of man, that man, having been taken into the Word, and receiving the adoption, might become the son of God". We born as human beings, the sons of man, are called to become the sons of God by following the footsteps of Jesus. God Bless!