“Even if you do not believe me, believe my works.”

Today’s readings invite us into the tension between rejection and witness, between doubt and evidence, between fear and trust in God. In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah finds himself surrounded by suspicion, betrayal, and plots against his life. Even his friends wait for him to fail. Yet in this darkness, he makes a bold confession of faith: “The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion.” Jeremiah’s life itself becomes a testimony, his endurance, his trust, his refusal to give up, these are his “works” that reveal God’s presence. The Gospel presents a similar scene of opposition. Jesus Christ is confronted by those who refuse to believe in Him. Despite the many good works He has performed, healing, teaching, restoring life, they still pick up stones. Their problem is not lack of evidence, but hardness of heart. So, Jesus responds with a powerful invitation: “Even if you do not believe me, believe my works.” In other words, let what you see open your heart to who I am. This speaks directly to our lives today. Often, we look for certainty in words, explanations, or arguments before we believe. But God frequently reveals Himself through actions, through lived experiences, through quiet transformations, through the fruits of love, healing, and service. Sometimes we may struggle to “feel” God or fully understand Him, yet His works are all around us: in the strength to endure hardship, in reconciliation after conflict, in the generosity of others, and in the resilience of our faith communities. At the same time, this message challenges us: are our own lives credible witnesses? If others cannot yet believe our words about Christ, can they at least “believe our works”? Do our actions reflect compassion, integrity, forgiveness, and truth? Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we may face misunderstanding or even rejection when we stand for what is right. But our consistency, our courage, and our love become the visible signs through which others encounter God. As we draw closer to Holy Week, we see more clearly that the greatest “work” of Jesus is the Cross, a work that seemed like failure, yet became the ultimate revelation of God’s love. May we, too, trust that even in our struggles, God is at work in us and through us. Lord, when faith is difficult, help us to recognize Your works. And make our lives living signs of Your presence, so that others may come to believe.