March 20, 2010
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, "Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." John 7:50-52
Piety
O LORD, judge of the nations. Grant me justice, LORD, for I am blameless, free of any guilt. Bring the malice of the wicked to an end; uphold the innocent, O God of justice, who tries hearts and minds. A shield before me is God who saves the honest heart. God is a just judge, who rebukes in anger every day. Psalm 7:9-12
Study
How often do we go against the crowd? It’s easy to surf along with the tsunami of trends in society. However, it takes a special kind of gumption to go against the grain and challenge the status quo. Maybe that is why the Nicodemus we see today in his second and penultimate appearance in John’s gospel is one of my favorite biblical characters.
Nicodemus was there when what has become one of the most popularly quoted Bible passages of modern day was first uttered. Yes, the infamous John 3:16. He was there because of his natural curiosity. Yet, at that point, he was still hesitant to go against the prevailing attitudes of the Jewish community. So he wandered over to see and hear Jesus under cover of darkness.
We will meet our friend Nicodemus one more time. And then, after all the disciples have fled, he will be at the foot of the cross with Joseph of Aramethea removing the body Jesus once occupied and giving him a proper burial…in his action, he performs one of the core spiritual works of mercy.
Action
Today, that natural curiosity with the preacher from Nazareth has grown and Nicodemus stands up to those in the temple who seek to destroy Jesus. Many times, we are in our comfort zone praying quietly in a small, private inner room. But are we ready to take that faith from the sanctuary into the streets?
As I think of the divisive rhetoric sometimes directed at immigrants in our media, I can not help but think that the words Nicodemus spoke today in the Gospel might not give us cause to pause…, "Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?"
On Sunday, March 21, people from all across America, including busloads of Catholics from parishes in our area and beyond will descend upon the National Mall to march for immigration reform and economic justice. http://reformimmigrationforamerica.org/blog/what-march/
Our own Bishop Loverde from Arlington, VA, and others will join Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahoney and others concelebrating a Mass for Immigrants at 11 a.m. in St. Aloysius Gonzaga Roman Catholic Church (Upper Church)—19 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC (corner of N. Capitol and I Streets; Union Station Metro). The Mass is organized by the Justice for Immigrants Campaign (www.justiceforimmigrants.org) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Following Mass, organizers encourage Catholics to participate in the “March for America: Change Takes Courage and Faith,” rally 1-5 p.m. on the National Mall. Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration, will offer a reflection at about 1:30 p.m., during the interfaith prayer service being held prior to the rally, and Cardinal Mahony will give remarks at approximately 2:40 p.m. during the rally (stage located at 7th Street between Constitution and Independence Avenues).
