WWWD April 8

Piety

Jesus, you gave us the ultimate sign yet we still resisted your message. In this last week of Lent before your Passion, Death and Resurrection, help us to know you and grow with your in this life. Help us to discern what you want us to do and act accordingly. Amen.

Study

“What are we going to do?”

Today, it is very “popular” faddish even, to ask “WWJD?” “What would Jesus do?” Here, in an historical irony, the real question is posed by the chief priests and the Pharisees. “WAWGD?”

Are we going to have faith and trust in the Lord as the readings have been proclaiming for the past five weeks? If we can’t answer you in a positive “YES’”, then the Pharisees win.

“They will continue to defile themselves with American idols, abominations, and all their automatic transgressions. Jesus will deliver us from all our sins of renunciation of the faith by shopping on Sunday and eating meat on Friday and in all manners where we renounced our faith. Cleanse us so we may be your people and you may be our God.”

“What are we going to do?” John 11:47. As the pop-psychology book title reads, “If You Meet The Buddah On The Side Of The Road, Kill Him.” Will we do that to Jesus? Will we pass by his battered body and go hide away or will we join Joseph and Nicodemus in giving Jesus a proper burial? Good Samaritans or Sad Americans?

Tomorrow, Jesus enters into Jerusalem. Will we be there with him, waving palms and believing like those who witnessed the final sign when Lazarus was raised from the dead?

Will we be there with Judas when he goes to the chief priests?

Will we be deniers like Peter or seekers like Nicodemus?

Despite the everlasting covenant of Peace with the House of David, the leaders easily turn on Jesus and plan to sacrifice his life to appease the Roman conquerors.

I can’t help but think how easy this path might have been for some of the leaders of the Jewish people. Appease the conquerors. Then, maybe, they will retreat and go home. Or stand up for the faith that you believe in.

Action

Recently, a man in Afghanistan was put on trial for being a Christian and turning his back on Islam.

If you were put on trial for being a Christian, what would be the evidence against you? Is there enough to convict you? Or do you need to be more convicted?

As Holy Week begins tomorrow (Sunday), once you examine your conscience on this issue, why not make this the week that you participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?