“We Wish to See Jesus”

 

“We Wish to See Jesus”

Holy Thursday Chrism Mass 

Piety

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

    because the LORD has anointed me;

He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,

    to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

    and release to the prisoners,

To announce a year of favor from the LORD

    and a day of vindication by our God,

    to comfort all who mourn;

To place on those who mourn in Zion

    a diadem instead of ashes,

To give them the oil of gladness in place of mourning,

    a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit. (Is 61:1-3a, 6a)

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) 

Study

As the sun sets on Lent, it rises on the Triduum.  What is the Lenten goal?  The readings from the Fifth Sunday of Lent summed up the liturgical season.  That day, we listened to the scripture when several Greeks approached Phillip and express the desire that everyone may feel during Lent. 

“We wish to see Jesus.”

The desire for this encounter is why we have spent the last forty days giving up chocolate and wine and beer and Twinkies.  It’s why we are sending money to charity and doing volunteer projects.  If we wish to see Jesus, we have to see Him in the faces and lives of those around us.

For when the hour of this encounter arrives, it changes us forever. 

Did we want to see Jesus throughout Lent?

Pope Francis addressed this dilemma in his March 21 Angelus:

 

Today too, many people, often without saying so, implicitly would like to “see Jesus,” to meet him, to know him. This is how we understand the great responsibility we Christians and of our communities have. We, too, must respond with the witness of a life we give to service, a life that takes upon itself the style of God – closeness, compassion, and tenderness – and a life we share in service. It means sowing seeds of love, not with fleeting words but through concrete, simple and courageous examples, not with theoretical condemnations, but with gestures of love. Then the Lord, with His grace, makes us bear fruit, even when the soil is dry due to misunderstandings, difficulty or persecution, or claims of legalism or clerical moralism. This is barren soil. Precisely then, in trials and solitude, while the seed is dying, that is the moment in which life blossoms, to bear ripe fruit in due time. It is in this intertwining of death and life that we can experience the joy and true fruitfulness of love, which constantly is given in God’s style: closeness, compassion, tenderness.

Reading the Good News for this Holy Thursday, I am reminded of the other part of that reading two Sunday’s ago: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:23-24). Precisely then, in trials and solitude, while the seed is dying, that is the moment in which life blossoms, to bear ripe fruit in due time.”

As Dorothy Day asked: Do we have the faith to see Christ in the poor? Do we have the confident faith to go to Him (like those Greeks asking Philip at Passover), or do we run away like Peter and pretend we don’t know him?

Our old self must die for us to have a new self.  In the Nazareth Manifesto, Jesus tells us our mission once we have that encounter and the spirit of the Lord is upon us.

Action

May God help us to fulfill that wish to see Jesus -- but not only to see him but also to be changed by Him. As the Spirit of the Lord falls upon us this Holy Day, may He help us to walk, strong and joyful, on the path of service.  Moving onward, may the love of Christ shine in our every attitude and become -- more and more -- the style of our daily life through our closeness, compassion, and tenderness to all whom we encounter.

We start by loving the poor around us because we see Christ when we see their hands and feet.

When Jesus grants us that encounter, then the Spirit of the Lord is upon us as well.

“A Love Greater Than Any Other” by Colleen O’Sullivan

“A Love Greater Than Any Other” by Colleen O’Sullivan

Tuesday of Holy Week

For now, the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb,
That Jacob may be brought back to him, and Israel gathered to him;
And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors

   of Israel;

I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:5-6)

 

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21)

 

“Master, who is it?”  Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”  So, he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot.  (John 13:25-26)

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”  Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.”  Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you.”  Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?  Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (John 13:36-38)

Piety

Lord, like Peter, I thank You for loving me despite, or maybe because of, my weaknesses and failings.

Study

The Last Supper, Mosaic in St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice, 13^th c., Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Reminiscences of Peter

I find myself, old, imprisoned in Rome, so heavily chained to the floor I can barely move around in my cell.  There’s little to do but pray or write the odd letter now and then.  I spend much of my waking hours thinking back over the past.  Someone once asked me if I ever regretted leaving my dad’s fishing vessel to follow the Lord.  I admit I had no idea that day what I was getting myself into, but I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.  How I loved Jesus, even when I had no idea who he was or what he was about!   It sounded exciting to be a fisher of men, but what did that entail?  I know now, but back then, it was all just a big lark.  The day Jesus wanted to know who others thought he was and then turned around and asked who we thought he was, and I proclaimed him the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Mt 16:16), I had no idea what any of that meant.  I was picturing a Messiah who would overthrow the Romans, but Jesus, the Son of God, turned out to be far greater than any Messiah I ever imagined.

My mind keeps wandering back to that final meal we all shared, although I didn’t realize then that it would be the last time we ever gathered like that around a table.  Thinking back, I am overwhelmed by the love Jesus had for us.  I can’t imagine how he must have felt, surrounded by such a bunch of cowards.  Only one of us, known to the high priest, slipped into his courtyard and stuck by Jesus through his sham of a trial and his torture.  Only John dared to stand with the women at the foot of the Cross.  Jesus knew us so well.  He knew I would betray him. Jesus knew Judas had control of our money and surmised that Judas would use the coins to sell Jesus out.  I honestly don’t know how Jesus sat through that meal, but he did.  And he kept us there for a long time afterward, washing our feet and trying to help us understand what was going to happen.  I couldn’t have done that.  My bones would have turned to jelly, thinking of what likely lay ahead.  Jesus had enemies at every turn, teeth bared, just waiting to sink their claws into him.  Although more severe than usual, Jesus never faltered, and it all had to be because of the love he had for us despite ourselves. 

Everywhere I’ve gone since those terrible dark days, I’ve been grateful for that love.  It’s the love with which Jesus forgave me for denying knowing him.  It’s the love that shone forth from his eyes when he asked me to feed his sheep and lambs and stated I would be the rock on which he built his Church.

Today, I’m just going to spend the day giving thanks for that Love that sustains me even here in this cell.  Thank you.  Thank you.  My love may not be perfect, but I will always love You, and I know You already know that.

Action

It is now Holy Week, and it may be tempting to think about our sins and betrayals of our Lord, but these are the days when we focus instead on the Lord and his suffering and death.  We genuinely want to accompany him during these difficult days.

Find a quiet place sometime today to contemplate today’s Gospel reading.  Reread John 13:21-33, 36-38.  Place yourself somewhere in that upper room.  Notice the expressions on everyone’s faces, especially Jesus’.  Hear the back and forth about who will betray Jesus.  What is your reaction?  Can you feel compassion for the Lord?  Is there anything you feel called to share with Jesus?  If you don’t want to say it in front of the disciples, maybe you can whisper it to Jesus as you all leave to walk to Gethsemane. 

“You Say So” by Rev. Paul Berghout

“You Say So” by Rev. Paul Berghout 

Monday of Holy Week

Piety

Here is my servant whom I uphold,

    my chosen one with whom I am pleased,

Upon whom I have put my Spirit;

    he shall bring forth justice to the nations,

Not crying out, not shouting,

    not making his voice heard in the street.

A bruised reed he shall not break,

    and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,

Until he establishes justice on the earth;

    the coastlands will wait for his teaching. (Isaiah 42:1-4)

So, Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus, too, because many Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him. (John 12:7-11)

Study

Yesterday, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, we made our way into Holy Week with the King on the back of a colt.  We read the gospel about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, Paul’s invitation to us to imitate Jesus who emptied himself, and the whole Passion this year from Mark’s Gospel.

Through Wednesday, we are in the final days of Lent. The first readings are from the Suffering Servant Songs of Isaiah. Though sung initially about Israel, God’s servant, and perhaps a specific servant, they spoke to the early Christian community about Jesus and his mission.

Monday and Tuesday’s gospels are from John’s Gospel. Today, we hear John’s version of the anointing at Bethany - at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  (Sunday, we heard Mark’s slightly different version).  There is a beautiful celebration of Lazarus’ return to life and thanksgiving to Jesus in both cases. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with the precious oil that reminds us of his burial.

The stage (and altar) are set for the Triduum.

Os Guinness tells a story about something that happened in the Soviet Union years ago:

“In one of their periodic efforts to eradicate religious belief in the Soviet Union, the Communist Party sent KGB agents to the nation’s churches on a Sunday morning. One agent was struck by the deep devotion of an elderly woman who was kissing the feet of a life-size carving of Christ on the cross.

 

“Babushka [which means Grandmother],” he said. “Are you also prepared to kiss the feet of the beloved general secretary of our great Communist Party?”

 

“Why, of course,” came the immediate reply. “But only if you crucify him first.” [Moody Publishers, 1992, pg. 112].

As many do throughout the year and especially during Lent, Pilate started our week questioning Jesus: “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus said to him in reply, “You say so.”  

Jesus is asking Pilate, “Is this a personal discovery? Or are you just repeating what others have told you?”

In a famous sentence, Plato said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” 

We may also say the unexamined faith is not worth preaching. We have to think through the words of Jesus that we hear at Mass, so they become a personal discovery.

By answering back to Pilate in that way, in front of the Jewish elite, Jesus displays “the very royal consciousness that he is being interrogated about since no one would dare to answer a ruler in this way unless he felt himself to be somehow his superior.  [source: James C. Scott, Domination, 202-7].

The trial reveals a political theology where resistance and resilience are faithful Christian practices within today’s political climate. The crowd or majority is fickle, malleable, and readily manipulated. As Samuel Crossman’s Good Friday hymn says, “A murderer they save; the Prince of Life they slay.”

When we live our uncrucified self, we risk pandering to other’s whims and emotions as part of man’s approval instead of looking in the first place in our hearts where God dwells. Indeed, only if we can let go of man’s support will our heart be gripped by Christ, who has become our first and only love.

Yet, he dies too for those who arrange for his death: the Sanhedrin, Romans, Pharisees, Sadducees, and his disciples, and Peter who run from him.

Action

I will close with a true story from Mark Wingfield on July 23, 2020:

Our pastor told of Father Michael Renninger, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia. While a college student on his way home one weekend, Renninger stopped to visit his grandparents. They lived in the same row house in Philadelphia he had known growing up. His grandfather had a series of strokes that left him paralyzed on one side and unable to talk or swallow. His grandmother determined to take care of him at home, even though he required a feeding tube.

On that day, Renninger recalled, he opened the squeaky front door and immediately knew things were not right. The goopy liquid food was splattered all over his grandfather, whose face was red. His grandmother was struggling to care for him when she realized their grandson had entered the house. The college student started to leave, assuming he didn’t need to walk into this embarrassing situation. 

Then he heard his grandmother’s stern voice: “Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare leave! Sometimes this is what love looks like.”

Jesus permits a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, Alexander and Rufus’s father, to carry his cross.

We have a fellowship in His work. His merit is infinite, yet he allows us to share in infinite rewards by our labors in Him.  Amen.

 

“Above Every Name” by Phil Russell

“Above Every Name” by Phil Russell

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion 

Jesus Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11

On the next day, when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches* and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, [even] the king of Israel.” Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: “Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’s colt. (John 12:12-16

Piety

JESUS, the Name which is above every name.

Study

Let’s just imagine a parade, and that there are two possibilities, two different men.  One Pilate, the Roman Governor. The man worthy (in man’s/Roman’s eyes.)

The other, the one who would be worthy (in Roman standards) of the Palm Branches.  Those branches waved and laid down, were the equivalent in that time of our days “ticker-tape” parade.  But, into town comes this “nobody” riding on the colt of an Ass.

The Ass/Donkey was an ancient symbol of Peace. Appropriate, for Jesus, since he opposed oppression and injustice. 

This Galilean.

This son of a Carpenter.

This person who comes to the “big city” with a traveling band made up of fishermen, tax collector, zealots, just to name just a few.  

Can you imagine the idea?

What would you think if this were the man riding in a parade that should have been yours?

Action 

Not unlike our day or our times, .who’s parade would you attend?

Pilate’s?

Jesus’? 

“Remember (me) when you come into your Kingdom!”

Do we stand up for the oppressed?

Do we stand up for the marginalized?

Those who suffer from “injustice?"

Who’s parade will you attend?

Shout “Hosanna?" 

Oh yeah, it’s Sunday!

Where will you be come Thursday evening, deny him (fear)?

Or Friday, “Crucify him!”

Or how about Saturday?  “Cower.”

We read this account, but how are we changed?  PIETY!

How does it change us? STUDY!

How do we stand with Jesus? ACTION!

Yesterday?

Today?

Forever?

“Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

JESUS.  Every knee shall bow!

Who would you be if Jesus was lucky enough to be you?

We stand, we watch, we decide!

                         + + +

 

(Painting from a private collection)

“You Know Nothing” by Melanie Rigney

 

 

“You Know Nothing” by Melanie Rigney 

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

My servant David shall be prince over them, and there shall be one shepherd for them all; They shall live by my statutes and carefully observe my decrees. (Ezekiel 37:24) 

The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. (Jeremiah 31:10d)

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” (John 11:49-50) 

Piety

Jesus, words cannot express my gratitude for what You did for me and for many so that sins may be forgiven. May my actions and service in Your name speak for me.

Study

Caiaphas was right, of course. 

But he didn’t realize it.

It was better for all of us that one man would die so that the rest of us would not perish eternally. It was better because God loves us all so completely and wants reconciliation for us. 

But Caiaphas spoke from a sense of his understanding of the Torah and the prophets and not a little sense of self-preservation. Jesus was dangerous. In addition to all those water into wine and people with disabilities cured public actions, Jesus had now raised a friend who had been dead for four days. D-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s. Jesus threatened the status quo in a way that seemed likely to cause still more problems for the people Caiaphas led that year, and that scared him.

Like Caiaphas, sometimes we think we understand God. We seek to arrange our lives to eliminate problems and protect those we love and lead. Change is as difficult for us as it was for the chief priests and Pharisees. But if we believe, truly believe, that one man died so that we need not perish for all eternity, if we don’t just pay lip service and go through the motions, then we need not fear change, for we have hope in how our story will end.

Action

Say a prayer for Caiaphas and the others who lacked the ability to believe what was right in front of them.