Sometimes we come across certain people who have become so hardened and set with their way of thinking or their way of doing things, so much so that everything else is irrelevant or a threat to them. Such people have perhaps allowed pride and arrogance to take control of their lives, and we may not be able change their hearts and minds so easily. When faced with such persons, how would you respond? How should a Christian respond to such persons?
In today's Gospel, we see Jesus continuously facing such people among the Pharisees. Even though He knew that they were so obstinate and so determined to kill Him or destroy Him in one way or another, He did not give up on them. Instead, He tried to show them what ought to be the right thing to do when He said: "Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?" Even then, the Pharisees proved to be really hard nuts to crack, and they were still determined to get rid of Jesus. But Jesus kept on finding ways and means to try and help them, and we see some examples of Pharisees such as Nicodemus who did change, though in secret.
If we are facing such people today, let us not so easily give up and give in. We cannot change everybody or everything, but whatever we are able to do, we do it for the greater glory of God. Ultimately, we offer such persons to God. God can do wonders in His time, so let us be steadfast and consistent in our prayer and efforts, and let God take care of the rest.
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