TODAY, like those early followers, we still tend to reinvent the character and the picture of the God we worship, so the image fits more tidily with the values and the priorities that define the culture in which we are comfortable. In truth, the huge win Jesus achieved at Easter still calls for us to reject the trap of the status quo. It is a W [win] over greed; selfishness; religiosity; and the entire me-first, consumer-driven mentality that illustrates our foundational cultural malfunction.

But it’s easier to replace the scandal of the Cross with a basket of candy and less taxing when we focus on the traditions of springtime rather than an empty tomb. We’d rather not think too much about the heavy price paid for the freedom we take so lightly.

Message from Bishop Michel Aupetit, Archbishop of Paris, to the priests and deacons of Paris:

We are deeply saddened. Our Lady of Paris, our beautiful cathedral where each of us has lived moments of grace and communion, is partly destroyed by fire. We are before a great mystery at the heart of Holy Week during which we accompany Christ in his Passion and in his death to finally celebrate his glorious Resurrection on Easter day.

We already know, in front of the immense emotion and the incredible solidarity which have appeared, that everything will be rebuilt. But we also understand, following the example of St. Francis of Assisi, that we must hear the call of the Lord to rebuild the Church, her whole Church. It is the following of Christ, the lived diffusion of his message, and the elaboration of a world based on love, in his image, who will build the society of fraternity to which all men aspire. (…)

THE SEASON OF LENT is about preparation, so that we can “Enter [God’s] gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise” (Ps. 100:4) with the quality of renewed spiritual energy that comes in response to the sacred rhythms of daily observance. Easter celebrates the victory of light over dark-ness and the reality of the kingdom Christ invites us to explore.

But Easter, like Christmas, has fallen victim to our cultural penchant for sucking meaning from significant Christian holidays and replacing that meaning with tawdry values borrowed from the secular world, values rooted in consumerism and humanism and our incessant demand to be entertained.

EVERY TIME WE RECITE the Lord’s Prayer, we have opportunity to remember that where forgiveness if concerned, “the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6:38) Archbishop Anthony Bloom tells the story of a French general, Maurice d’Elbee, during the revolutionary wars in France. His men had captured some of the enemy and wanted to shoot them. The general reluctantly agreed, but insisted that they should first recite the Lord’s Prayer aloud. When they came to the words, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” they suddenly understood their situation and, weeping, let their prisoners go free.

What those men understood in that moment was their common humanity with the enemy soldiers. They were in this war together as fellow sinners, and they shared the human possibility of redemption by God’s grace.

Augustine, the great 5th century church father, comments on the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem: 

“The master of humility is Christ who humbled himself and became obedient even to death, even the death of the cross.  Thus he does not lose his divinity when he teaches us humility… What great thing was it to the king of the ages to become the king of humanity? For Christ was not the king of Israel so that he might exact a tax or equip an army with weaponry and visibly vanquish an enemy. He was the king of Israel in that he rules minds, in that he gives counsel for eternity, in that he leads into the kingdom of heaven for those who believe, hope, and love.  It is a condescension, not an advancement for one who is the Son of God, equal to the Father, the Word through whom all things were made, to become king of Israel.  It is an indication of pity, not an increase in power.” (Tractates on John 51.3-4)

We come to faith by hearing the word of God and seeing His marvelous works.

Sometimes truth is spoken by those who are slaves of untruth. Caiaphas’ words in the Gospel foreshadowed what Jesus’ death would do for the nation. God would renew His covenant with His people and this new covenant would be ratified in the blood of the Son. God would make a covenant of peace with His people. His innocent Son would suffer in place of us sinners, so that the covenant could be established. The “illogicality” of God’s love is on full display. This is His wisdom. This is our God.

Jesus is now at the point of entering Jerusalem. He knows the opposition that He will face. He knows He will be killed. The one who took away the suffering of others will now be subjected to excruciating suffering. The one who healed will be broken, the one who comforted will be crucified. The “irrationality” of Jesus’ love – mirroring that of the Father – is also on full display. This is His Way. This is our God.

DURING HIS EARTHLY LIFE Jesus went out of his way to eat with all kinds of people—his followers, his enemies, and those who were marginalized in his society. Ignoring the criticism of his choice of meal companions, Jesus enjoyed table fellowship, taught, and witnessed to God’s inclusive love. The phrase in our ritual which Christians should perhaps find most comforting and most challenging is the simple statement that he “ate with sinners.” Thank God that he did, and that he does. Pray that we might exemplify that love.

12th April 2019

A REJECTION NOTICE

“All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.” —Jeremiah 20:10

It’s bad enough to be rejected, but it is even worse to be rejected by those who had accepted us.

In the first reading, Jeremiah faces the consequences of his decision to be faithful to God. The consequences are terrible and frightening. Insults will come from all quarters. Friends will seek his downfall. People are waiting for him to slip up and then they will launch their attack with vengeance. This seems very familiar to our times. To remain faithful to God and work for justice will make us many enemies.

In the Gospel, Jesus was and is rejected by those He created and for whom He died, when we sin seriously. Jesus has to face the mob who are waiting to stone Him. He uses Scripture to justify His position, but a mob is never in the mood to listen to reason. He is forced to flee because He has been rejected and will now be executed. In the midst of all this turmoil, we see the ray of hope. There are many who realize that He is doing exactly what it was said He would do, and so they believe. His authenticity fuels His mission.

On the first day of Easter, we will be challenged to reject Satan and all his works. This includes rejecting unforgiveness and vengeance towards all who have sinned against us. Forgive! Reject Satan, not Jesus!

Is your faith growing? If you have been feeding on the word of God in this Lenten series, then the unqualified answer is Yes! For anything to grow, there is need of constant nurturing. That is why Jesus said that you cannot know the truth and the truth cannot make you free unless you persevere day after day in His word. Thank You Jesus for Your precious words this Lent. Thank You for strengthening our faith.

CHRIST INVITES US to come and share in an alternative to the anxiety and fear we experience and enact daily. It is as if Christ is saying to us, “Come to the Table of perfect love that casts out all fear and anxiety. Here is more than enough! All the fullness of God is here. When you come to this Table, greed motivated by fear will forever be inappropriate and unnecessary. Repent of it.

When you come to this Table, all exclusion, hate, and vengeance must be left in God’s keeping. Come now; come, and count on God’s generosity toward all.” This invitation includes confession and pardon. The invitation requires the gathered community to deal with its own brokenness and sin. Love shared, not sin remaining, is the focus of the Eucharistic meal. The meal is for those who have forsaken conflict. The invitation, confession, and pardon call us to anticipate the new heaven and new earth.

AFTER THEY HAVE taken their places and are eating, what are the first words that we hear Jesus say? He says, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” He added, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.” Isn’t this startling? What a way to start a dinner party! The first words of Jesus, at his final dinner with his disciples, name the conflict that is the elephant in the room. Judas is going to betray Jesus.
. . .
There is nothing Pollyannaish or sentimental or individualistic or pietistic about this meal. The meal is not privatized or spiritualized. There is nothing here that is romantic or escapist. This is the real world, with real and deep conflict. So, here Jesus sits at his last supper, under the shadow of the cross with the man who would betray him and the eleven others who will desert him. Does that sound like conflict to you? And Jesus named it. Justice requires the naming. Truth requires the naming. As important, transformation requires the naming. What is unnamed lies just beneath the surface. It often develops dis-ease. It gets worse until it explodes in very destructive ways. You must name it to heal it.