The Good Deeds Defense

Gospel: John 10: 31-42

Not for the first time do Jesus' enemies pick up stones in order to put him to death.  Jesus defends himself by pointing to his good deeds - for which of these would you put a man to death? How is it possible for an evil man to perform good deeds for others?  The ultimate blasphemy against God is to put to death someone who is good and who only performs good deeds.  

Jesus does not engage in the fineries of verbal apologetic.  Both in this reading and at his trial his only defense is his good deeds.  The modern verbal apologists defend their craft as it is how they earn a living, but what is it that is being defended, and who is being convinced by mere words?  Is it really about 'defending the faith' (as if it needs it from us) or is it about our own egos and convincing ourselves of our decisions because our faith is weak?

Good deeds done in silence are the necessary and sufficient defense against those who would attack us.  They are the only complete apologetic and evangelization programs, for they alone are the authentic programs of Jesus - deeds of mercy and loving-kindness to heal a broken world and to show forth the mercy that God has extended to us in our lives.