Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Wednesday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 5:4-9a; Matthew 26:14-25)

In discerning the best candidate for president, people necessarily have a profile in mind.  They will look for someone who can inspire cooperation.  They will want a person who will act morally.  And they will insist that the candidate’s position on issues conform to their basic values.  The first reading today gives, at least in part, a profile of what to look for in the savior that God has promised.

The passage is taken from the second part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  It is one of four so-called “Servant Songs” that describes God’s servant or, as some translation have it, son.  We see each of these passages during the liturgies of Holy Week. The Servant of God works for justice in a humble way (Monday’s Eucharist).  His becomes a light to all the nations of the earth (yesterday’s mass).  And he is spurned, even reviled by some (today’s reading).  Finally, his face will be so marred that some will find it unbearable to look at although acceptance of him means salvation (Good Friday’s liturgy).

In reflecting on these passages, we easily see Jesus.  He does not save us through military prowess as if what troubles us mostly were political oppression.  Rather he teaches us by both word and example a way how to overcome our sinfulness.  More importantly, he depletes evil of its power in the struggle on the cross.  There he overcomes the arrogance of the Romans, the jealousy of the Jewish leaders, the spinelessness of the people, and our own covetousness.  The fruit of his victory is reflected in the saints through the ages.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Tuesday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33.36-38)

In today’s passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus predicts Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial.  In the telling, Jesus is dismissive of both disciples.  He orders Judas to carry out quickly the evil that has entered his heart.  And he cuts short Peter’s bravado about laying down his life for him.  At later points in the Gospel of Luke, not John, Jesus shows mercy to each.

When Judas approaches Jesus in the garden, Luke portrays him attempting to kiss the Lord.  Jesus interrupts this show of hypocrisy by calling his name.  He is not defending himself but allowing Judas a last opportunity to repent of his treachery.  Shakespeare will have Caesar make the same kind of appeal to Brutus.  Tragically, Judas fails to show remorse.  Peter, however, is able to change his course of action in a parallel situation.  Luke situates Jesus in vicinity of Peter when the latter denies him.  Most of us would probably turn our heads away in disgust if we were in Jesus’ position.  But Jesus mercifully turns to look at Peter.  This gesture, reminding Peter of Jesus’ prediction, causes him to weep in regret. 

There are many differences in the four narratives of Jesus’ passion.  They should not make us fret about which is accurate.  Rather they should move us to contemplate all that Jesus means.  He is the merciful face of God whom especially Luke tells of.  He is also the divine king that John relates.  And he is much more besides.  We want to spend time meditating on him this week, recommitting ourselves to him, and beseeching his grace.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Monday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 42:1-7; John 12:1-11)

In our day dead bodies are increasingly cremated.  There seems to be an urgency to get on with life after the death of a loved one.  The dead are memorialized with a service showing photos of them at significant junctures and telling stories of their peculiarities.  Whatever value these modern rituals have, they cannot appreciate what is happening in today’s gospel.

Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints Jesus “’for the day of (his) burial.’”  Her action will preserve the body of Jesus at least for a while after his impending death.  It will enable all the living at the time to remember his goodness perhaps until they too pass on.  It is not the waste of resources that Judas claims.  Quite the contrary, the anointing will allow Jesus’ gracious life to influence his friends in constructive ways.

Virtuous human actions are often transcended by God’s.  In this case Mary’s anointing of Jesus as a way to remember him cedes to God’s raising him from the dead.  The resurrection enables even us today to experience the presence of Jesus as an impetus to faithful and loving living.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Friday of the Fifth Week in Lent

(Jeremiah 20:10-13; John 10:31-42)

Among the gestures made in church we bow to the altar.  Some perhaps think that they are reverencing the tabernacle which is often placed behind the altar.  But the altar itself is a symbol of Jesus.  We bow to him.  The gospel today indicates the association.

The setting is the Jewish feast of the dedication of the Temple altar.  Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate.  His cure of the man born blind created a controversy among the Jews.  Now he is being besieged.  He is to say whether or not he is the Messiah. He tells the Jews that God has consecrated him just as He consecrated the Temple altar.  In fact, he implies, he will replace the temple altar as the locus of true worship. 

We see the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in the crucifixion. On the cross Jesus offers himself as the perfect sacrifice which redeems humanity.  It makes up not only for our individual sins but also for the multiplication of guilt oppressing humanity.  As we enter Holy Week, we want to contemplate the meaning both of Jesus’ sacrifice and of our following him.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

                                                      

(Genesis 17:3-9; John 8:51-59)

St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, a vast area that included Gaul and Scotland.  Since his native country was Christian, he was baptized at an early age.  He was taken by pagan raiders of his homeland to Ireland as a slave.  Eventually he escaped his captors, returned to Britain, and became a priest and bishop.  He returned to Ireland as a missionary working to convert the native pagans.  Like the Jews in today’s gospel, many resisted Patrick’s efforts.

Reading the gospels, one has difficulty distinguishing the setting.  It may be the Judea at the time of Jesus or perhaps the situation when the evangelists were writing.  The fierce opposition of the Jews toward Jesus in today’s passage reflects a time after the resurrection.  The Jews are reacting to Christian claims not only of Jesus’ divinity but also of the need to modify their established customs.  They believe that Christians are wavering from the path that Abraham set.  Meanwhile, Christians claim that Jesus transcends Abraham because he exists as the eternal Son of God.

We have thrown our lot with Christ.  This means that we “keep his word” as we hear today.  We are to love our enemies as sisters and brothers of the same Father in heaven.  Often love requires patience, even toleration.  It is not easy, but it is the way of the cross beside our blessed Lord.