Approach God through Him

January 22, 2009

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

He is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known. Mark 3:10-12

Piety

"You Are the Light of the World" (from Godspell)

You are the light of the world! You are the light of the world!
But if that light is under a bushel, it's lost something kind of crucial.
You've got to stay bright to be the light of the world.

You are the salt of the earth. You are the salt of the earth.
But if that salt has lost it's flavor it ain't got much in its favor
You can't have that fault and be the salt of the earth!

(chorus)

So let your light so shine before men. Let your light so shine.
So that they might know some kindness again,
We all need help to feel fine (let's have some wine!)

You are the city of God. You are the city of God.
But if that city's on a hill it's kinda hard to hide it well.
You've got to stay pretty in the city of God.

(chorus)

Study

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is often quoted as telling the disciples and people cured not to speak about what has happened. Puzzling. Does Jesus want to keep his life and works a secret? How in the world does Jesus expect this ministry to remain a secret? Is he serious in these statements?

After all, Jesus came into the world heralded by angels, visited by magi, and attracting shepherds from yonder fields. I think most would agree that, although he was living in a small town, this is not a very quiet beginning.

By the third chapter in Mark’s telling of the story, the Pharisees are already plotting to kill Jesus or turn him over to Roman authorities. So can the disciples really get Jesus into any more trouble than the Lord can muster all by himself?

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. Mark 1:28

Then he said to him, "See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them." 1:44

The paralytic man lowered from the roof was cured in front of the Pharisees. The scribes question why he is eating with sinners and tax collectors. He cured the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. He is shortly going to appoint the twelve apostles to go out and imitate him…driving out demons and preaching. And that is only after three chapters.

Whether he is working in the synagogue or on the shores of Galilee, Jesus probably should not have a reasonable expectation that his actions will remain a secret. After all, he is clearly working right under the noses of the Pharisees either from eye-witness accounts or from the apostles preaching about Jesus’ actions. Even when he wanted to retreat and leave the cities, people followed him. Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people (followed) from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. Mark 3:7-8

On the good side, you can call what happened after each miraculous event, word-of-mouth advertising. On the bad side, you could call it gossip. But this light was NOT going to be kept under a bushel. If it were kept under a bushel, it would lose something kind of crucial. (See Mel Rigney is not the only Tripod contributor who can sneak in a reference to “Godspell.”). If we are being the City of God, if that city’s on a hill its kind of hard to hide it well.

Action

Perhaps Jesus is saying he doesn’t need any help in spreading the news about his actions. His actions speak louder than any words that we might utter. Rather than going around like the town crier talking about what Jesus did or did not do, we should act as he does. We should imitate Christ and act among our family, our church, and our community. Jesus does not need our help to get crossed up with the Pharisees. He can do that quite well on his own. “Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices.” So we are not called to talk about what Jesus would do. Instead, we are called to DO as Jesus would do. After all, “he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.”

The reading from Hebrews reminds us that we are to approach God “through” Jesus, not on our own. When we do, Jesus is there to intercede and advocate for us.

Just a thought.