Today was the first Good Friday I've worked in 22 years, but I did take half a day of PTO. Instead of trying to get my usual two hours in the middle of the night on Good Friday, I signed up for 5-6, and jumped at the chance to get a half hour from our deacon's two-hour 6-8 commitment. It worked out very nicely.
There was much proclaimed by the prophets about the mystery of the Passover; that mystery is Christ. (emphasis added) - From an Easter homily by St. Melito of Sardis, bishop, as quoted in yesterday's Office of Readings
St. Melito goes on to mention many of the ways that Christ was present in or revealed by the events of the Hebrew Scriptures. We can see Him in them, we can learn of Him and even encounter Him there, but any litany of them will fail to touch us unless we are willing to accept Him, that is, to acknowledge that God has an authority over our lives as a result of being Author and Creator and of setting aside His power in favor of His love and mercy. Jesus being the Passover only makes Him my Passover to the degree that I acknowledge that He is my only path from death to life, and begin to respond to the Father's love and mercy in a way that recognizes His Author-ity over my life.
Rescue my soul from the sword,
My life from the grip of these dogs.
Save my life from the jaws of these lions,
My poor soul from the horns of these oxen. - Ps 22: 21-22
David (I presume) was writing of his enemies in these derisive tones, so we must be careful with them. For while these images - dogs, lions, oxen - also represent us in our effect on Jesus' human life, we must not forget that it was perfect Love which caused Him to subject Himself to us and which calls us back to the Heart that has so desperately longed for our return that He would make Himself our sacrifice - even when we would sacrifice nothing of ourselves for His Love. Indeed, St. Paul makes the progression in the letter to the Romans of our still being helpless, then sinners, then enemies, when Christ gave Himself for us.
Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? - Lk 22:48
How often we, too, do this. In our certitude that what we are doing is right - or, perhaps, that we have a right to do this, to wield our power in the way we deem best - we betray God's love, and mercy, and authority over us. We insist on our own authority and our own understanding, and so we apply the stamp of God's will on actions that are really rooted in our own.
It can be a quandary, because what appears to be mercy toward some can look like rejection of others, and even of God. God is always calling us closer, and that means He is always calling us to receive His love and to love as He does, not forsaking the truth, yet inviting judgment on ourselves rather than imposing it on others.
We misunderstand the nature and manifestation of Love, and as we act in our own misunderstanding, we betray Jesus with our embrace, too.
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself up unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God!" - Heb 9:13-14
Of course, the goats, bulls and heifer, as well as the ram in the thicket, and the lambs' blood on the Hebrew families' lintels, are but the faintest symbols of the true Lamb. Their greatest importance is to reveal Jesus, who in turn reveals the Father's heart of love for us as He fulfills the purpose of His earthly life. This viewpoint which Neal Lozano has emphasized in Abba's Heart parallels what St. John Chrysostom emphasizes in today's Office of Readings (about which I have reflected on previous Good Fridays).
Do you understand, then, how Christ has united His bride to Himself and what food He gives us all to eat? By one and the same food we are both brought into being and nourished. As a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, so does Christ unceasingly nourish with His own blood those to whom He Himself has given life. - from the Catecheses by St. John Chrysostom, bishop, as quoted in today's Office of Readings
Even motherhood is a type for Christ. I have so often marveled at the rest of this great reading that I have missed its wonderful conclusion! We are indeed bone from Christ's bone, and flesh from Christ's flesh , sacrificed for us to make us a new creation, an eternal creation, imbued with everlasting life. (Likely most importantly, we are spirit from Christ's Spirit!)
____
Now I want to invoke Fr. Neuhaus a bit, even though I haven't been reading him this season. We call this "Good Friday," even as we rightly acknowledge the role our sin and guilt play in our (my! For each of us, it must be "my," even while it must be also "our") Savior's suffering and death. Perhaps we should call it Great Friday. Redeeming Friday. Delivering Friday. Victory over Sin Friday. Sanctifying Friday. Transforming Friday. All-the-Difference-Making Friday. Perfect Love Friday. It is worth reflecting on in its own right. (Rite, right?)
I look above the tabernacle where my Savior is present, where I have come seeking to be with Him during His trial and knowing that it is really He who is with me during mine, and through the textured glass of this chapel I see the illuminated crucifix in the main church. As Fr. Neuhaus encourages me, I don't skip ahead. I confess the link between Christ present in this tabernacle and His sacrifice this day on the cross of my sin. He has defeated the power of both the physical cross and my sin to cause death. As I sit and pray with Him in the garden, and observe Him before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, walk with Him along the Via Dolorosa, mourn His death on the cross, and as His blood and water flow down over me, it is not His lifeless body which I embrace, but His life-giving sacrifice and eternal Sonship.
I closed out this time with a return to Abba's Heart, but I will share of that in a separate post.
Showing posts with label Triduum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Triduum. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2016
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Authority
Oh, I completely forgot to add this thought I had while working on this morning's post, which struck me as especially apropos for today. Jesus showed us the true exercise of His authority: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. He said this after washing their feet, so that in the long view they would have the true context of His Passion and thereby know how to wield authority. Elsewhere He contrasts clearly: those who are in authority lord it over them, but you are not to be like that. Whoever would be greatest must be the last of all and the servant of all.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to his disciples behind closed doors – Divine Mercy Sunday (step 29) - session 1a
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." - Jn 20:19-23
There are places where there is great understatement in the words the evangelists use, and others where we fail to assign them their full import. We find examples of both in this brief passage.
First, the understatement: I imagine the disciples were exceedingly glad when they saw the Lord, once they got over their shock and fear. But perhaps this isn't such understatement: maybe they were still so very much taken aback by Jesus' appearance among them that their gladness was stifled, leading Jesus to repeat his greeting.
Of course Jesus' first message to them was one of peace. If my mother or father or sister were to appear in this room with me, I would likely need to be greeted with peace, too! I thought Fr. Dave did a wonderful job of capturing this idea in his homily of Easter morning. (Even though we had a different scripture passage, the point was still applicable.)
As for the statement we fail to fully grasp: As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. Now, in some ways this isn't fully possible: we haven't been with the Father since before the foundation of the universe, But so many aspects of Jesus' sending should be present in our own, too.
There are places where there is great understatement in the words the evangelists use, and others where we fail to assign them their full import. We find examples of both in this brief passage.
First, the understatement: I imagine the disciples were exceedingly glad when they saw the Lord, once they got over their shock and fear. But perhaps this isn't such understatement: maybe they were still so very much taken aback by Jesus' appearance among them that their gladness was stifled, leading Jesus to repeat his greeting.
Of course Jesus' first message to them was one of peace. If my mother or father or sister were to appear in this room with me, I would likely need to be greeted with peace, too! I thought Fr. Dave did a wonderful job of capturing this idea in his homily of Easter morning. (Even though we had a different scripture passage, the point was still applicable.)
As for the statement we fail to fully grasp: As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. Now, in some ways this isn't fully possible: we haven't been with the Father since before the foundation of the universe, But so many aspects of Jesus' sending should be present in our own, too.
- We aren't to be content to remain where we are. Okay, we may not be coequal with God and seated on a throne of glory. Still, God's love for his lost children is great, and if we know the love of God in the slightest we should also be motivated to be about serving them rather than remaining where we are.
- Jesus had demonstrated in two dramatic ways the sort of humble service to which we are called.
- First, he performed an act of hygiene which I've been told not even a menial slave could be forced to do. I think that the sanitized version we get at our Holy Thursday liturgies is good as far as it goes, but we don't have to deal with feet (our own or others') that have walked around in highly unsanitary conditions protected only by primitive sandals.
- He then, of course, gave his life for us, in the most humiliating and agonizing way.
Saturday, April 04, 2015
Confirming (phase 3) - Waiting at the Tomb (step 27) - session 2
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. - Rom 6:3-11
I will confess that I am sometimes to eager for physical death and sometimes not eager enough for death to the temptations of the flesh. When Jesus died he died to sin, but I have remained too enamored of some sin, too compromising and conformed to the present age. (The subsequent verses - not assigned for this session, but I believe I'll share them below - clearly indicate why this is.) But this is the purpose of these exercises: to allow God to reform us from the world's influence to the Lord's, to conform us to Christ, and to confirm us in our conformation. The final phase will be (I presume) to transform our lives.
Lord, you have given your all for me, and still I withhold myself from you. I pray that you will help me trust you fully, to turn loose of those parts of myself which I over-value and to which I still cling. to release them, and to hold fast to you instead.
We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. - Rom 6:3-11
I will confess that I am sometimes to eager for physical death and sometimes not eager enough for death to the temptations of the flesh. When Jesus died he died to sin, but I have remained too enamored of some sin, too compromising and conformed to the present age. (The subsequent verses - not assigned for this session, but I believe I'll share them below - clearly indicate why this is.) But this is the purpose of these exercises: to allow God to reform us from the world's influence to the Lord's, to conform us to Christ, and to confirm us in our conformation. The final phase will be (I presume) to transform our lives.
Lord, you have given your all for me, and still I withhold myself from you. I pray that you will help me trust you fully, to turn loose of those parts of myself which I over-value and to which I still cling. to release them, and to hold fast to you instead.
Confirming (phase 3) - Waiting at the Tomb (step 27) - session 1
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathe'a, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. Mary Mag'dalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre.
Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, `After three days I will rise again.' Therefore order the sepulchre to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, `He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first."
I am struck by the faithful, devoted love of Joseph, Mary and Mary (presumably the wife of Clopas; I can't believe Matthew would refer to Jesus' mother as "the other Mary").
This step provides for a day of quiet reflection, and it will be worth spending a little time today thinking about the significance of this past week, which was probably my most focused Holy Week ever. But that has to make an ongoing difference of continued growth in holiness and devotion, and I know from experience that while that can't come from me, it will require my ongoing dedicated cooperation and participation.
Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, `After three days I will rise again.' Therefore order the sepulchre to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, `He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first."
Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can."
So they went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. - Mt 27:57-66
I am struck by the faithful, devoted love of Joseph, Mary and Mary (presumably the wife of Clopas; I can't believe Matthew would refer to Jesus' mother as "the other Mary").
This step provides for a day of quiet reflection, and it will be worth spending a little time today thinking about the significance of this past week, which was probably my most focused Holy Week ever. But that has to make an ongoing difference of continued growth in holiness and devotion, and I know from experience that while that can't come from me, it will require my ongoing dedicated cooperation and participation.
Friday, April 03, 2015
Confirming (phase 3) - Crucifixion and Death (step 26) - session 2
Beneath the cross at St. Helen, during and after the evening service of the Passion of the Lord. I couldn't believe how strongly Word resonated with me during the Mass when I fixed my gaze upon that crucifix.
Observe how great my love for you, my precious child, my beloved brother, my dear friend. It is limitless. I pour myself out for you completely, I who came from infinity and return to infinity to bring you home with me.
See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. (Is 52:13) - See how I am exalted, my beloved one, that you might look upon me and live! (cf Jn 3:14-15 and Num 21:8) By my stripes you are made whole (Is 53:5), cleansed of your sin in the only way that you could believe the Truth of such a seemingly impossible wonder! See how True it is that with God all things are possible (Lk 18:27). even that you would die in me to rise with me. But do not skip ahead, for my people remain in their tombs and need for me to call them out through you and with you. Rest in me, my dear one, that I may restore you for the work ahead.
I shall see you in a long life (Is 53:10), my dear child, in my eternal life which I have prepared for you, having won pardon for your offenses that you may be righteous. (Is 53:11)
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered, and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Heb 5:8-9)
Observe how great my love for you, my precious child, my beloved brother, my dear friend. It is limitless. I pour myself out for you completely, I who came from infinity and return to infinity to bring you home with me.
See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. (Is 52:13) - See how I am exalted, my beloved one, that you might look upon me and live! (cf Jn 3:14-15 and Num 21:8) By my stripes you are made whole (Is 53:5), cleansed of your sin in the only way that you could believe the Truth of such a seemingly impossible wonder! See how True it is that with God all things are possible (Lk 18:27). even that you would die in me to rise with me. But do not skip ahead, for my people remain in their tombs and need for me to call them out through you and with you. Rest in me, my dear one, that I may restore you for the work ahead.
I shall see you in a long life (Is 53:10), my dear child, in my eternal life which I have prepared for you, having won pardon for your offenses that you may be righteous. (Is 53:11)
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered, and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Heb 5:8-9)
Confirming (phase 3) - Crucifixion and Death (step 26) - session 1
This step suggests a picture meditation, and provides a link to three moving images of Christ's crucifixion with connections to beloved saints. Still, I believe I will meditate before our own crucifix at St. Helen in conjunction with this evening's service.
Meanwhile, I will reflect on the conclusion of St. John's Passion:
Jn 19:16-37
There appears not to be an original thought to be had. Even knowing this cross is my victory, it fills me with sorrow. So just a couple of impressions:
I have never understood why it should matter who was where when they were crucified? Surely the center could not have represented a more honorable death than either side.
Even while acceding to them, Pilate can't help tweaking the council.
They treated Jesus' tunic with more respect than his body. I think we do the same thing, attributing a higher value to those who are dressed nicely.
I have reflected before on Good Friday (at least once) about Chrysostom's observation that the blood and water from Jesus side represent the sacraments of Eucharist and Baptism. Even in death he blesses us with gifts containing depth beyond comprehension.
Thank you, dearest Lord.
Thank you, dearest Lord.
Thank you, dearest Lord.
Meanwhile, I will reflect on the conclusion of St. John's Passion:
Jn 19:16-37
There appears not to be an original thought to be had. Even knowing this cross is my victory, it fills me with sorrow. So just a couple of impressions:
I have never understood why it should matter who was where when they were crucified? Surely the center could not have represented a more honorable death than either side.
Even while acceding to them, Pilate can't help tweaking the council.
They treated Jesus' tunic with more respect than his body. I think we do the same thing, attributing a higher value to those who are dressed nicely.
I have reflected before on Good Friday (at least once) about Chrysostom's observation that the blood and water from Jesus side represent the sacraments of Eucharist and Baptism. Even in death he blesses us with gifts containing depth beyond comprehension.
Thank you, dearest Lord.
Thank you, dearest Lord.
Thank you, dearest Lord.
Confirming (phase 3), - Interrogated, denied, mocked, tortured and condemned . . . (step 25) - sessions 5 and 6
Back before Pilate and the episode with Barrabas; condemned by the people
Jn 18:28-40
Having omitted the council's trial and any mention of Herod, St. John gets down to the details of Jesus' condemnation. The council replies to Pilate's inquiry of charges with, basically, "He's a bad dude. You won't let us kill him, so you do it." But they must have said something about Jesus claiming to be a king, because of Pilate's next interrogation of Jesus.
Still, even when Jesus concedes his kingship, Pilate does not see it as any threat to peace in his region of responsibility. The greater threat is from the potential uprising that seems to be developing over his refusal to execute Jesus.
This ties right back in with thoughts over the last couple of weeks regarding how fear drives us to take actions that we would otherwise reject as clearly unjust. He mentions (another) possible way out, knowing that Jesus must have some popularity among the people or the council wouldn't be worried about him. But those supporters appear to be absent. From fear? By manipulation? Both?
At any rate, the crowd that is present asks for Barrabas, not "this one." Every time I read (or chant) this Passion, I want the crowd to spare him, even though it is only through his wrongful death that I have been delivered. It still seems to wrong. It violates me. More below.
Scourging, mockery and condemnation to crucifixion
Jn 19:1-16
Pilate hopes that his torturing and mocking of Jesus will appease the rabble clamoring for his death. By comparison I suppose it might seem an attempt at kindness. Again we see evil done because of fear. In the end it does nothing but cement their determination to have him killed.
Fr. Neuhaus points out how rather than condemn us as we deserve, God himself submits to our condemnation of him. (Really, if you haven't read Death on a Friday Afternoon, stop shortchanging yourself with my brief references to it!)
Pilate should not be misunderstood to be compassionate toward Jesus. He is being pragmatic, avoiding by the most expedient path the uprising that will surely cost him his governorship. Usually an unjust execution would be more likely to cause such a commotion than preventing it would, but it becomes apparent to him that this is not the case, and for this reason alone he acquiesces to the crowd.
I thank God for the great love he shows by his incredible sacrifice. He is never taken by surprise at anything we do, as he has seen us do it.
Jn 18:28-40
Having omitted the council's trial and any mention of Herod, St. John gets down to the details of Jesus' condemnation. The council replies to Pilate's inquiry of charges with, basically, "He's a bad dude. You won't let us kill him, so you do it." But they must have said something about Jesus claiming to be a king, because of Pilate's next interrogation of Jesus.
Still, even when Jesus concedes his kingship, Pilate does not see it as any threat to peace in his region of responsibility. The greater threat is from the potential uprising that seems to be developing over his refusal to execute Jesus.
This ties right back in with thoughts over the last couple of weeks regarding how fear drives us to take actions that we would otherwise reject as clearly unjust. He mentions (another) possible way out, knowing that Jesus must have some popularity among the people or the council wouldn't be worried about him. But those supporters appear to be absent. From fear? By manipulation? Both?
At any rate, the crowd that is present asks for Barrabas, not "this one." Every time I read (or chant) this Passion, I want the crowd to spare him, even though it is only through his wrongful death that I have been delivered. It still seems to wrong. It violates me. More below.
Scourging, mockery and condemnation to crucifixion
Jn 19:1-16
Pilate hopes that his torturing and mocking of Jesus will appease the rabble clamoring for his death. By comparison I suppose it might seem an attempt at kindness. Again we see evil done because of fear. In the end it does nothing but cement their determination to have him killed.
Fr. Neuhaus points out how rather than condemn us as we deserve, God himself submits to our condemnation of him. (Really, if you haven't read Death on a Friday Afternoon, stop shortchanging yourself with my brief references to it!)
Pilate should not be misunderstood to be compassionate toward Jesus. He is being pragmatic, avoiding by the most expedient path the uprising that will surely cost him his governorship. Usually an unjust execution would be more likely to cause such a commotion than preventing it would, but it becomes apparent to him that this is not the case, and for this reason alone he acquiesces to the crowd.
I thank God for the great love he shows by his incredible sacrifice. He is never taken by surprise at anything we do, as he has seen us do it.
Confirming (phase 3), - Interrogated, denied, mocked, tortured and condemned . . . (step 25) - session 4
Trial before Herod
Luke alone mentions this attempt by Pilate to extricate himself from the twin perils of an unjust execution and an angry council. Sending him off to Herod must have seemed the perfect solution.
Lk 23:6-16
That ended up not working out so well for Pilate, and Jesus ended up right back in his lap.
That tends to happen when we try to pass the buck regarding him. We get to deal with him later, when our circumstances have grown more dire simply from refusing to do what we should.
Luke alone mentions this attempt by Pilate to extricate himself from the twin perils of an unjust execution and an angry council. Sending him off to Herod must have seemed the perfect solution.
Lk 23:6-16
That ended up not working out so well for Pilate, and Jesus ended up right back in his lap.
That tends to happen when we try to pass the buck regarding him. We get to deal with him later, when our circumstances have grown more dire simply from refusing to do what we should.
Confirming (phase 3), - Interrogated, denied, mocked, tortured and condemned . . . (step 25) - session 3
First trial before Pilate
Lk 23:1-4
The council dared not open with a complaint about Jesus having violated their law by claiming to be God's Son. Pilate would have thrown them out immediately. So they started instead by claiming that Jesus was setting himself up as a rival to Caesar's authority. When Pilate asks, Jesus basically shrugs and says: Sure.
And Pilate is less than impressed with the threat he represents.
Lk 23:1-4
The council dared not open with a complaint about Jesus having violated their law by claiming to be God's Son. Pilate would have thrown them out immediately. So they started instead by claiming that Jesus was setting himself up as a rival to Caesar's authority. When Pilate asks, Jesus basically shrugs and says: Sure.
And Pilate is less than impressed with the threat he represents.
Confirming (phase 3), - Interrogated, denied, mocked, tortured and condemned . . . (step 25) - session 2
Trial before Caiphas and the Sanhedrin
St. John omits any details of this trial, and I can think of two reasons why: the council had already decided to condemn Jesus to death, and it had no authority to carry out that sentence under Roman law, so this was a kangaroo court on both counts. At any rate, we're over to St. Matthew's Passion for a while:
Mt 26:57-75
We again get herein the account of Peter's threefold denial. I need not comment further on that. So 59-68 are the verses which contain different content from what we have seen thus far.
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, - (59)
I'm sure they would have settled for true testimony, but there was none to be found. Even Jesus' claim about rebuilding the temple, which John recounts but Matthew only mentions through the mouth of witnesses, would not be grounds for execution under the law. So when the council reaches an impasse, Jesus himself provides the evidence they needed. At that point, in their eyes he had no dignity left to respect. I wonder what it was like for them to enter eternity and come face-to-face with the almighty king of creation and know that they had convicted, mocked and struck him and handed him over for execution? I pray they received the mercy he offers us all.
St. John omits any details of this trial, and I can think of two reasons why: the council had already decided to condemn Jesus to death, and it had no authority to carry out that sentence under Roman law, so this was a kangaroo court on both counts. At any rate, we're over to St. Matthew's Passion for a while:
Mt 26:57-75
We again get herein the account of Peter's threefold denial. I need not comment further on that. So 59-68 are the verses which contain different content from what we have seen thus far.
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, - (59)
I'm sure they would have settled for true testimony, but there was none to be found. Even Jesus' claim about rebuilding the temple, which John recounts but Matthew only mentions through the mouth of witnesses, would not be grounds for execution under the law. So when the council reaches an impasse, Jesus himself provides the evidence they needed. At that point, in their eyes he had no dignity left to respect. I wonder what it was like for them to enter eternity and come face-to-face with the almighty king of creation and know that they had convicted, mocked and struck him and handed him over for execution? I pray they received the mercy he offers us all.
Confirming (phase 3), - Interrogated, denied, mocked, tortured and condemned . . . (step 25) - session 1
Illegal inquiry before Annas during the night, Peter denies Jesus
The retreat masters want us to know that this inquiry shouldn't have happened. The whole set of events leading to Jesus' is so completely unjust that this doesn't really make it any more so. My sin makes for as much injustice as I need to concern myself with.
Jn 18:12-27
No verse-by-verse here. I will be proclaiming this gospel in chant in a couple hours.
Jesus first trial, in the night, occurs before Annas. If he were not already convinced of his guilt, nothing which Jesus says would have caused him to refer him to Caiaphas. Also, apparently "high priest," like President (of the U.S.), an honorary title for life.
These verses also contain Peter's denial of Jesus. We dare not judge him, unless we ourselves would be judged by our weakest and most embarrassing moment. This is often how we judge ourselves, though. Fortunately, God's grace is greater.
The retreat masters want us to know that this inquiry shouldn't have happened. The whole set of events leading to Jesus' is so completely unjust that this doesn't really make it any more so. My sin makes for as much injustice as I need to concern myself with.
Jn 18:12-27
No verse-by-verse here. I will be proclaiming this gospel in chant in a couple hours.
Jesus first trial, in the night, occurs before Annas. If he were not already convinced of his guilt, nothing which Jesus says would have caused him to refer him to Caiaphas. Also, apparently "high priest," like President (of the U.S.), an honorary title for life.
These verses also contain Peter's denial of Jesus. We dare not judge him, unless we ourselves would be judged by our weakest and most embarrassing moment. This is often how we judge ourselves, though. Fortunately, God's grace is greater.
Confirming (phase 3), - The Last Supper – Second Part: The last discourses of Jesus (step 23) - session 6
Chronologically, things are going to be a little out of order here - though on the page for the third phase they won't be - because in the wee hours this morning with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament I thought it best to meditate on Gethsemane. I'll be entering those thoughts time stamped when I recorded them on paper. Meanwhile I'm going to observe one or two more thoughts on this step before moving on to Good Friday meditations. I may need to return to the remaining sessions later.
The Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth
Jn 16:4-33
Now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, `Where are you going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. - (5-6)
The other night when her mom went to the hospital, our 9-year-old granddaughter was quite worried for her. She started to withdraw and become petulant. It's amazing how our fear can silence us and drive us into ourselves. It wasn't long, though, before she allowed herself to express her feelings of fear to me, crying freely, and we were able to discuss what was going on and take some time to pray together.
Of course, the disciples might also have been quite confused, which is another thing that can tighten our lips. In both cases, we are better served by trusting in God and expressing our misgivings and our confusion rather than by circling the wagons and protecting ourselves. We end up drawing much closer to the ones we love - and to the One who loves us most - when we are open with them instead of following our tendency to isolate ourselves in the face of the unknown future.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment - (7-8)
It seems as if we are in a post-convincing world, in which many of us have hardened our hearts and minds against the Holy Spirit's revelation to us. I pray that the Spirit would have his way with us and draw us fully into God's love.
Some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us?" - (17)
They said this to one another, but dared not ask Jesus. Why not?
The Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth
Jn 16:4-33
Now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, `Where are you going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. - (5-6)
The other night when her mom went to the hospital, our 9-year-old granddaughter was quite worried for her. She started to withdraw and become petulant. It's amazing how our fear can silence us and drive us into ourselves. It wasn't long, though, before she allowed herself to express her feelings of fear to me, crying freely, and we were able to discuss what was going on and take some time to pray together.
Of course, the disciples might also have been quite confused, which is another thing that can tighten our lips. In both cases, we are better served by trusting in God and expressing our misgivings and our confusion rather than by circling the wagons and protecting ourselves. We end up drawing much closer to the ones we love - and to the One who loves us most - when we are open with them instead of following our tendency to isolate ourselves in the face of the unknown future.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment - (7-8)
It seems as if we are in a post-convincing world, in which many of us have hardened our hearts and minds against the Holy Spirit's revelation to us. I pray that the Spirit would have his way with us and draw us fully into God's love.
Some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us?" - (17)
They said this to one another, but dared not ask Jesus. Why not?
- Were they intimidated by him in general?
- Were they too frightened by his words that evening?
- Were the concerned about appearing ignorant before him?
- Were they afraid of what he might ask of them?
Are not our own dealings with God fraught with the same concerns?
The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered - (32a)
They - Peter, at least, from the other accounts - thought they would remain steadfast. Perhaps they feared that they would not. They certainly feared what Jesus was telling them about his imminent death. They had come to believe in him, but not yet to believe the right things of him, and not yet to know him in the way he wanted them too. But even when the things they feared for him and for themselves came to pass, still he was at work doing a greater thing than they could imagine. So it is with us. Fear often causes us to fail to do the best thing, and the thing we fear often comes to pass whether we do it or not. But in either case, God will be at work even through the thing we fear in ways that we can never foresee.
Confirming (phase 3), - Gethsemane (step 24) - session 3
Drops of blood
Lk 22:39-56
And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives - (39a)
Jesus knew he was about to be betrayed, and by whom, and for love of us went to where he could be found. He went to pray, and this should be our custom in the face of temptation, too: engage with God rather than with the tempter.
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven , strengthening him. - (43)
The online version of the RSV that I've been using omits this verse and 44, which apparently do not appear in the earliest manuscripts.
He sends angels in many forms to strengthen us, too. We must choose to receive their aid rather than pursue our temptation.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. - (44)
It is hard to think of Jesus as being anything short of completely earnest. Perhaps "more fervently" would be better. I have heard that there is a medical term for this condition, but lack the time to go look it up.
Luke omits the threefold rendering of the sleeping apostles.
And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. - (50)
When faced with injustice beyond our control, we overreach and attempt to oppose our own will wrongfully rather than trusting that God's inscrutable plan for us might still be at work, even in the face of the power of darkness. (53)
But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. - (51)
Even faced with his own betrayal, wrongful condemnation and execution, Jesus pours out his compassion on this "enemy," the high priest's slave. Of course, we oughtn't confuse "following his owner's orders" with a higher degree of complicity.
Lk 22:39-56
And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives - (39a)
Jesus knew he was about to be betrayed, and by whom, and for love of us went to where he could be found. He went to pray, and this should be our custom in the face of temptation, too: engage with God rather than with the tempter.
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven , strengthening him. - (43)
The online version of the RSV that I've been using omits this verse and 44, which apparently do not appear in the earliest manuscripts.
He sends angels in many forms to strengthen us, too. We must choose to receive their aid rather than pursue our temptation.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. - (44)
It is hard to think of Jesus as being anything short of completely earnest. Perhaps "more fervently" would be better. I have heard that there is a medical term for this condition, but lack the time to go look it up.
Luke omits the threefold rendering of the sleeping apostles.
And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. - (50)
When faced with injustice beyond our control, we overreach and attempt to oppose our own will wrongfully rather than trusting that God's inscrutable plan for us might still be at work, even in the face of the power of darkness. (53)
But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. - (51)
Even faced with his own betrayal, wrongful condemnation and execution, Jesus pours out his compassion on this "enemy," the high priest's slave. Of course, we oughtn't confuse "following his owner's orders" with a higher degree of complicity.
Confirming (phase 3), - Gethsemane (step 24) - session 2
… but not what I will but what you will
Mk 14:32-52
This account of Jesus' agony in the garden is nearly identical to St. Matthew's but the retreat master has provided us with a different meditation focus.
Not what I will, but what you wilt. - (36b)
We expend great physical and mental energy trying to bend God's will to our own rather than conforming ours to his. The Holy Spirit bestows sufficient faith to trust God enough to be at peace when my will cannot be done, especially when I would otherwise fear God's alternative plan, if I will trust in his love for me. I can trust God the Father, and I can trust also in Jesus (Jn 14:1), by the Spirit's grace, and echo this prayer of his when I need to. Actually, I should develop the habit of this prayer when I don't think I need to, because there are doubtless an abundance of occasions in which I don't realize that I am following my own will to the exclusion of God's better plan.
Like Jesus, I can offer these words in the face of my own temptation, trusting that God's will for me is for a far greater glory than the pleasure which that temptation represents.
And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer him. - (40)
Here is a difference from Matthew's account. The disciples were too flummoxed to offer to Jesus so much as an apology for leaving him alone in his prayer vigil. When we are weak and honest, we also have no answer except for the one to which Jesus is headed, or rather, the One who is headed there to drink the cup for my sake.
Mk 14:32-52
This account of Jesus' agony in the garden is nearly identical to St. Matthew's but the retreat master has provided us with a different meditation focus.
Not what I will, but what you wilt. - (36b)
We expend great physical and mental energy trying to bend God's will to our own rather than conforming ours to his. The Holy Spirit bestows sufficient faith to trust God enough to be at peace when my will cannot be done, especially when I would otherwise fear God's alternative plan, if I will trust in his love for me. I can trust God the Father, and I can trust also in Jesus (Jn 14:1), by the Spirit's grace, and echo this prayer of his when I need to. Actually, I should develop the habit of this prayer when I don't think I need to, because there are doubtless an abundance of occasions in which I don't realize that I am following my own will to the exclusion of God's better plan.
Like Jesus, I can offer these words in the face of my own temptation, trusting that God's will for me is for a far greater glory than the pleasure which that temptation represents.
And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer him. - (40)
Here is a difference from Matthew's account. The disciples were too flummoxed to offer to Jesus so much as an apology for leaving him alone in his prayer vigil. When we are weak and honest, we also have no answer except for the one to which Jesus is headed, or rather, the One who is headed there to drink the cup for my sake.
Confirming (phase 3), - Gethsemane (step 24) - session 1
These next four sessions were observed in a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament, written down and subsequently entered here. The time stamp reflects when I started each reflection. Throughout them, any thoughts I add as I enter them will be in green text.
My soul is sorrowful even to death
Mt 26:36-56
Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death" - (38a)
Even as we celebrate the glory of the cross of Christ, it is good to remember that Jesus' sacrifice is about our guilt. I suppose that it isn't entirely bad for us to feel a bit of that guilt in association with that memory, but the cross is not about our feelings of guilt, but rather the reality of it: Jesus, the innocent One, took on my guilt not so that I might flagellate myself, nor that I allow Satan to continue to accuse me of it, but that I might be free of it once and for all. (St. Paul uses that phrase ot mean "for all people," but here I mean "for all my sins.")
But what a great burden of sorrow it placed upon him, and if I, two millenia later, wish to be like and with Jesus, it is good for me to be with him in sorrow over my sin - "and those of the whole world." (Chaplet of Divine Mercy)
One can argue about the theological necessity of Jesus' sacrifice, but necessary or not, Jesus did this in love for me. And he has just told me (Jn 15:13) that there is no greater love than this.
"Remain here, and watch with me." - (38b)
We (our parish) closed our (indoor, due to weather) Eucharistic procession this year with Taize: Stay Here and Keep Watch. We (all of us) don't generally do a very good job of remaining present to Jesus and being watchful. [Other verses form the remainder of this song's refrain. The hour is at hand. (45) Watch and pray. (41, more below)]
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation." - (40-41a)
When we sing Stay Here and Keep Watch, we may have the impression that Jesus told the disciples to pray for him. Rather, he was telling them - and tells us - to be watchful and pray against our own temptation. Since he knows he is delivering us from our sin, why does he yet tell us this? Because sin has a terrible impact on our lives even after we have been forgiven from it! How poorly we understand this basic reality.
"The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." - (41b)
This is true of our own vigilance against sin as it was of the disciples' prayer vigil. Was this also a continuance of the prophecy of Peter's denial?
St. Peter became a great saint in his humility, finding boldness in Christ through the Holy Spirit rather than himself, and would have been the first to argue against the aptness of the adjective "great" being applied to him. Pray for me, St. Peter, for my own sin has been so great at times that it has threatened to define me. Focusing wrongly on my sin instead of on Jesus leaves me more vulnerable to sin again in other ways. As you found your identity in Christ rather than in anything that you did, may it be for me.
So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. - (44)
Threes abound. Three times Jesus prays. Three times his most trusted apostles' fall asleep. Three times Peter denies him. (Would that it were only three for me.) Three days of death and tomb. Three times affirming his love for Jesus. Three divine Persons delivering my salvation.
"Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." - (46)
Indeed I am. Thank you, precious Jesus, for receiving my betrayal, and for reconciling me from it.
My soul is sorrowful even to death
Mt 26:36-56
Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death" - (38a)
Even as we celebrate the glory of the cross of Christ, it is good to remember that Jesus' sacrifice is about our guilt. I suppose that it isn't entirely bad for us to feel a bit of that guilt in association with that memory, but the cross is not about our feelings of guilt, but rather the reality of it: Jesus, the innocent One, took on my guilt not so that I might flagellate myself, nor that I allow Satan to continue to accuse me of it, but that I might be free of it once and for all. (St. Paul uses that phrase ot mean "for all people," but here I mean "for all my sins.")
But what a great burden of sorrow it placed upon him, and if I, two millenia later, wish to be like and with Jesus, it is good for me to be with him in sorrow over my sin - "and those of the whole world." (Chaplet of Divine Mercy)
One can argue about the theological necessity of Jesus' sacrifice, but necessary or not, Jesus did this in love for me. And he has just told me (Jn 15:13) that there is no greater love than this.
"Remain here, and watch with me." - (38b)
We (our parish) closed our (indoor, due to weather) Eucharistic procession this year with Taize: Stay Here and Keep Watch. We (all of us) don't generally do a very good job of remaining present to Jesus and being watchful. [Other verses form the remainder of this song's refrain. The hour is at hand. (45) Watch and pray. (41, more below)]
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation." - (40-41a)
When we sing Stay Here and Keep Watch, we may have the impression that Jesus told the disciples to pray for him. Rather, he was telling them - and tells us - to be watchful and pray against our own temptation. Since he knows he is delivering us from our sin, why does he yet tell us this? Because sin has a terrible impact on our lives even after we have been forgiven from it! How poorly we understand this basic reality.
"The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." - (41b)
This is true of our own vigilance against sin as it was of the disciples' prayer vigil. Was this also a continuance of the prophecy of Peter's denial?
St. Peter became a great saint in his humility, finding boldness in Christ through the Holy Spirit rather than himself, and would have been the first to argue against the aptness of the adjective "great" being applied to him. Pray for me, St. Peter, for my own sin has been so great at times that it has threatened to define me. Focusing wrongly on my sin instead of on Jesus leaves me more vulnerable to sin again in other ways. As you found your identity in Christ rather than in anything that you did, may it be for me.
So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. - (44)
Threes abound. Three times Jesus prays. Three times his most trusted apostles' fall asleep. Three times Peter denies him. (Would that it were only three for me.) Three days of death and tomb. Three times affirming his love for Jesus. Three divine Persons delivering my salvation.
"Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." - (46)
Indeed I am. Thank you, precious Jesus, for receiving my betrayal, and for reconciling me from it.
Thursday, April 02, 2015
Ooh! Ooh ooh! Ooh!
My bride just sat down with her bible and asked what Fr. Dave suggested for reading for tonight. Warms my heart for us to be on the same page(s)!
Confirming (phase 3), - The Last Supper – Second Part: The last discourses of Jesus (step 23) - session 5
I have told you this so that you may not fall away
Jn 15:18-16:3
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. - (15:18, and pretty much the rest of the chapter)
There are some who lament that the Church seems so at odds with society, who think we should omit those parts of the gospel that offend some people. There are those who believe that "accepting people where they are" means expecting them to remain as they are.
We may have the way of the world, or we may have the way of Christ, but if we try to have both we will find ourselves dismayed when they really do come into conflict.
I wish I could remember which men's conference speaker said that the essence of Christianity is change. (It might have been Matthew Kelly, but I don't remember for certain.) Jesus came to deliver us from death in sin to life in his righteousness. That requires change. And those who insist that there is nothing wrong with people being the way they are in some way that they consider central to their being are going to hate that part of the gospel message.
I'm as resistant to change as the next person, so I'm preaching to myself here.
If someone is in grave physical danger and insists on remaining their, we may have the power to overcome their free will in order to move them to safety. The danger of sin is greater than any threat to our physical life. Christ has won the victory over sin, delivered us from the kingdom of sin, darkness and death into the kingdom of holiness, light and life. But he will not steamroll our free will to insist that we fully embrace the relocation that he has made possible for us. We can love the world for what it offers us, or we can love Jesus, but sooner or later we are not going to be able to serve these two masters.
I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. - (16:1-2)
This had proven true by the time this gospel was written. It was good that Jesus prepared them for the day to come. In our society we are mostly free from the threat of martyrdom for our faith, but it may not always be so, and in the nearer term there may be significant sacrifices which we are blessed to accept for the sake of our faith.
Jn 15:18-16:3
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. - (15:18, and pretty much the rest of the chapter)
There are some who lament that the Church seems so at odds with society, who think we should omit those parts of the gospel that offend some people. There are those who believe that "accepting people where they are" means expecting them to remain as they are.
We may have the way of the world, or we may have the way of Christ, but if we try to have both we will find ourselves dismayed when they really do come into conflict.
I wish I could remember which men's conference speaker said that the essence of Christianity is change. (It might have been Matthew Kelly, but I don't remember for certain.) Jesus came to deliver us from death in sin to life in his righteousness. That requires change. And those who insist that there is nothing wrong with people being the way they are in some way that they consider central to their being are going to hate that part of the gospel message.
I'm as resistant to change as the next person, so I'm preaching to myself here.
If someone is in grave physical danger and insists on remaining their, we may have the power to overcome their free will in order to move them to safety. The danger of sin is greater than any threat to our physical life. Christ has won the victory over sin, delivered us from the kingdom of sin, darkness and death into the kingdom of holiness, light and life. But he will not steamroll our free will to insist that we fully embrace the relocation that he has made possible for us. We can love the world for what it offers us, or we can love Jesus, but sooner or later we are not going to be able to serve these two masters.
I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. - (16:1-2)
This had proven true by the time this gospel was written. It was good that Jesus prepared them for the day to come. In our society we are mostly free from the threat of martyrdom for our faith, but it may not always be so, and in the nearer term there may be significant sacrifices which we are blessed to accept for the sake of our faith.
Confirming (phase 3), - The Last Supper – Second Part: The last discourses of Jesus (step 23) - session 4
I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
Some would call it coincidence, but I believe it's how the Holy Spirit often works: in his homily tonight, Fr. Dave invited us to spend some time tonight in chapters 14-17 of St. John's gospel, meditating on the Last Supper discourse. And that was already my plan when so much of my day ended up being occupied with tasks that needed to be done both in the home and to prepare music for the Triduum.
Jn 15:1-17
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. - (1-2)
Pruning hurts. But bearing fruit is really cool, and worth the hurt. (See all the recent posts that are too numerous to link to about the glory of suffering.)
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - (5)
Nothing. I think that most of the time we think that apart from Christ we can do "pretty well," or "not quite as much." Nothing! But just in case we can't figure out the next implication of this vine and branches analogy, Jesus makes it explicit:
If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. - (6)
It isn't just vines. Cut a branch off of any plant and see what happens to it! That is us apart from Christ, and that is why apart from him we can do Nothing.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. - (11)
Why do we insist on that inner sense of disappointment when we know that some tempting thing is not God's plan for us? Why do we think of God as the Great Naysayer rather than the one whose love for us is so great that he wants our joy to be full? Why do we not trust him to provide for our every need, and insist on grasping for some forbidden fruit that only destroys our life and our joy? But when we trust and abide in Jesus, we find our lives filled with meaning and maximize our joy both in this world and for eternity.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (12-13)
When Jesus said this, the disciples had no idea what he was talking about, but he knew he was about to show them! Sometimes I judge my love as less than it should be, and usually when I do it's because I'm trying to measure my feelings. But when I consider the evidence of my life, when I consider it carefully, I can see that I am laying it down for my beloved ones. Then I feel better, and am less judgmental of myself.
Some would call it coincidence, but I believe it's how the Holy Spirit often works: in his homily tonight, Fr. Dave invited us to spend some time tonight in chapters 14-17 of St. John's gospel, meditating on the Last Supper discourse. And that was already my plan when so much of my day ended up being occupied with tasks that needed to be done both in the home and to prepare music for the Triduum.
Jn 15:1-17
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. - (1-2)
Pruning hurts. But bearing fruit is really cool, and worth the hurt. (See all the recent posts that are too numerous to link to about the glory of suffering.)
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - (5)
Nothing. I think that most of the time we think that apart from Christ we can do "pretty well," or "not quite as much." Nothing! But just in case we can't figure out the next implication of this vine and branches analogy, Jesus makes it explicit:
If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. - (6)
It isn't just vines. Cut a branch off of any plant and see what happens to it! That is us apart from Christ, and that is why apart from him we can do Nothing.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. - (11)
Why do we insist on that inner sense of disappointment when we know that some tempting thing is not God's plan for us? Why do we think of God as the Great Naysayer rather than the one whose love for us is so great that he wants our joy to be full? Why do we not trust him to provide for our every need, and insist on grasping for some forbidden fruit that only destroys our life and our joy? But when we trust and abide in Jesus, we find our lives filled with meaning and maximize our joy both in this world and for eternity.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (12-13)
When Jesus said this, the disciples had no idea what he was talking about, but he knew he was about to show them! Sometimes I judge my love as less than it should be, and usually when I do it's because I'm trying to measure my feelings. But when I consider the evidence of my life, when I consider it carefully, I can see that I am laying it down for my beloved ones. Then I feel better, and am less judgmental of myself.
Confirming (phase 3), - The Last Supper – Second Part: The last discourses of Jesus (step 23) - session 3
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you
Jn 14:15-31
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. - (15)
Only if Jesus is really the Son of God are these not the words of a manipulative control freak! Because he is, we know that what underlies these words are a deep love and a knowledge that God only commands what is best for us and for all of his beloved children.
And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. - (16-18)
We are never alone, and in particular, we are always in the presence of eternal God, not just in his general omnipresence, but also because we are specifically indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Many of us do not ask the Spirit to manifest his (her/its; I'll use the one with which I'm most comfortable and won't mind if you do the same) presence and power in our lives. We have this idea that because we have the Spirit we are free to go about our lives in the normal ways of the world, when the God's great desire for us is that we allow the Holy Spirit to move in us in ways that transform us. He wants to pour gifts through us that make all the difference in our faith walk and in the lives of our brothers and sisters. Okay, more on the Spirit as we approach Pentecost. But for now, even as we see our Savior walk to his death for us, we are not left desolate.
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. - (20)
The time I'm most aware of this truth is during Mass. I love that Fr. Dave invoked the Communion of Saints tonight at the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. At every Eucharist, we are united with God as we consume him, and are likewise united with everyone who ever has taken or ever will take part in this heavenly feast and sacrifice.
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?"
Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you.- (22-25)
Humility facilitates the movement of God in our lives. When we insist that we know best and ignore what God has revealed, or attempt to bend it to our own preconceptions of how life should be, we hinder the movement of God through our lives. It isn't that God is incapable of working in us by some limit of his omnipotence, but that he loves us too much to violate our free will. But when we humbly submit to his plan for us, he does more than we could ever dream of.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. - (26)
Again, I'm sure there will be later opportunity to consider the roles of the Holy Spirit, but I often find that he reminds me of a key scripture passage or prompts a deeper understanding of some aspect of our faith walk just when I need it most.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. - (27)
The world offers us the absence of conflict and sells it to us as peace. It insists that we compromise our integrity and stifle the gospel, and markets it as peace. It presents us with a tenuous ceasefire and trumpets it as peace. It uses fear to motivate us to sell ourselves short, to settle for less than we are in Christ, and when we do it rewards us for having accepted peace. But in the face of fear or of conflict, Jesus offers us the assurance that we are his for all eternity, that our foe is also beloved, and we have the confident assurance to be who he dreams for us to be in him. That is peaceful, right down to the core of our being.
If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. - (28b)
When we love another, we want what is best for our beloved. I think of the friends to whom I have bid farewell and as they have moved on, and of the family members who are walking in God's love for all eternity. I rejoice for their sake, and in our unity in the Holy Spirit (see above), even as I so wish that I could see them smile and hug them close once again.
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me - (30)
And he has no power over us, either, for we have our eternal victory in Jesus Christ.
I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. - (31b)
We talk all the time about how Jesus gave his life because he love us, but we don't much consider how Jesus himself kept the two greatest commandments in proper order in his own life. Yes, he loved us, as himself. But he loved the Father with all his heart, all his mind, all his soul and all his strength. The expression of his love for us on the cross is even more an expression of his love for the Father. Likewise, the saints' and martyrs' greatest sacrificial acts toward those around them have likewise always been inspired by the Spirit and rooted in the love of God.
Jn 14:15-31
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. - (15)
Only if Jesus is really the Son of God are these not the words of a manipulative control freak! Because he is, we know that what underlies these words are a deep love and a knowledge that God only commands what is best for us and for all of his beloved children.
And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. - (16-18)
We are never alone, and in particular, we are always in the presence of eternal God, not just in his general omnipresence, but also because we are specifically indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Many of us do not ask the Spirit to manifest his (her/its; I'll use the one with which I'm most comfortable and won't mind if you do the same) presence and power in our lives. We have this idea that because we have the Spirit we are free to go about our lives in the normal ways of the world, when the God's great desire for us is that we allow the Holy Spirit to move in us in ways that transform us. He wants to pour gifts through us that make all the difference in our faith walk and in the lives of our brothers and sisters. Okay, more on the Spirit as we approach Pentecost. But for now, even as we see our Savior walk to his death for us, we are not left desolate.
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. - (20)
The time I'm most aware of this truth is during Mass. I love that Fr. Dave invoked the Communion of Saints tonight at the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. At every Eucharist, we are united with God as we consume him, and are likewise united with everyone who ever has taken or ever will take part in this heavenly feast and sacrifice.
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?"
Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you.- (22-25)
Humility facilitates the movement of God in our lives. When we insist that we know best and ignore what God has revealed, or attempt to bend it to our own preconceptions of how life should be, we hinder the movement of God through our lives. It isn't that God is incapable of working in us by some limit of his omnipotence, but that he loves us too much to violate our free will. But when we humbly submit to his plan for us, he does more than we could ever dream of.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. - (26)
Again, I'm sure there will be later opportunity to consider the roles of the Holy Spirit, but I often find that he reminds me of a key scripture passage or prompts a deeper understanding of some aspect of our faith walk just when I need it most.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. - (27)
The world offers us the absence of conflict and sells it to us as peace. It insists that we compromise our integrity and stifle the gospel, and markets it as peace. It presents us with a tenuous ceasefire and trumpets it as peace. It uses fear to motivate us to sell ourselves short, to settle for less than we are in Christ, and when we do it rewards us for having accepted peace. But in the face of fear or of conflict, Jesus offers us the assurance that we are his for all eternity, that our foe is also beloved, and we have the confident assurance to be who he dreams for us to be in him. That is peaceful, right down to the core of our being.
If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. - (28b)
When we love another, we want what is best for our beloved. I think of the friends to whom I have bid farewell and as they have moved on, and of the family members who are walking in God's love for all eternity. I rejoice for their sake, and in our unity in the Holy Spirit (see above), even as I so wish that I could see them smile and hug them close once again.
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me - (30)
And he has no power over us, either, for we have our eternal victory in Jesus Christ.
I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. - (31b)
We talk all the time about how Jesus gave his life because he love us, but we don't much consider how Jesus himself kept the two greatest commandments in proper order in his own life. Yes, he loved us, as himself. But he loved the Father with all his heart, all his mind, all his soul and all his strength. The expression of his love for us on the cross is even more an expression of his love for the Father. Likewise, the saints' and martyrs' greatest sacrificial acts toward those around them have likewise always been inspired by the Spirit and rooted in the love of God.
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