The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled— can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

In schools, the stretch between Christmas break and spring break is “hiring season.” And in a place like Creighton Prep, we are not just hiring for skill and experience; we are hiring for mission. We can ask good questions, check references, and listen for the right language about forming students, receiving feedback, and contributing to the life of the community. But, there is only so much an interview can tell us about a person’s mission-fit. Ultimately, the real test comes when the work begins. 

Similarly, in today’s Gospel, when Jesus’ opponents focus on what he said, Jesus points them to the work he does: “If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works.” Instead of getting caught up in the words, “I am the Son of God,” we should look at what unfolds around Jesus—look at the healing, the restoration, the lives being changed. Words can make a claim; works reveal whether it is true. 

Today’s Gospel leaves us with the question: do the claims we make about ourselves with our words match the story we're telling with our lives?

—Jackie Schulte is the Head of School and Dean of Faculty Formation at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Lord Jesus,
Teach us to “believe the works.”
Open our eyes to recognize your hand
in healing, mercy, and lives made new.
Make our own works worthy of the faith we profess,
so that what we do may bear witness to you.
Amen.

—Jackie Schulte