Pearls of the Word

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Again there was a division

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"Again, because of his words, there was division [schisma] among the Jews" (John 10:19).

The dictionary defines a schism as a separation leading to a breaking up of the unity of the faithful in a religion. The Greek word schisma also means tearing; Jesus said also that if we sew a piece of new cloth onto an old garment it can cause it to tear (Matthew 9:16).

In John’s Gospel, the question of division [schisma] among the Jews comes up three times because of Jesus’ deeds or words (John 7:43, John 9:17, and John 10:19). In fact, there was a division each time the deeds of Jesus or the Holy Spirit were attributed to Satan by one section of the community.

But what took place among the Jews during Jesus’ earthly ministry also happened during the two thousand years of ministry by the Holy Spirit in the bosom of the Church of Jesus Christ. And, alas, that will certainly be the case throughout the next movement of the Holy Spirit!