The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to wrestle with the cognitive dissonance that we may sense when considering a humble and gentle disposition to combat injustice or extravagant demonstrations of impulsive action in Love.
 |
| Overwhelming |
The passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah describes the nature of the Servant of the Lord.
* [42:1–4] Servant: three other passages have been popularly called “servant of the Lord” poems: 49:1–7; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12. Whether the servant is an individual or a collectivity is not clear (e.g., contrast 49:3 with 49:5). More important is the description of the mission of the servant. In the early Church and throughout Christian tradition, these poems have been applied to Christ; cf. Mt 12:18–21.1
The psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple and protection from all enemies.
* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3).2
The Gospel from John overpowers us with the act of Love in the Anointing of Jesus at Bethany.
* [12:1–8] This is probably the same scene of anointing found in Mk 14:3–9 (see note there) and Mt 26:6–13. The anointing by a penitent woman in Lk 7:36–38 is different. Details from these various episodes have become interchanged.3
Nancy Shirley comments that the one thing that we do know is that although Jesus is not physically here with us, His presence is nonetheless real. She does know that she needs that presence in her life. Even when her actions are not totally true to what she knows is the path to follow, she can feel that presence.
As I struggle to keep my focus on what’s most important in this world, I am often called back to my center by music. This one helps me to remember that it is not about me and what I do here. Anything I do should always be focused on glorifying God and emulating Jesus not for my rewards but to keep Jesus present to others.Only Jesus by Casting Crowns4
Don Schwager quotes “God first loved us,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Fulfill the commandments out of love. Could anyone refuse to love our God, so abounding in mercy, so just in all His ways? Could anyone deny love to Him Who first loved us despite all our injustice and all our pride? Could anyone refuse to love God Who so loved us as to send His only Son not only to live among human beings but also to be put to death for their sake and at their own hands?." (excerpt from Catechetical Instructions 39) 5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 12:1-11 describes Jesus as the One who comes to dine with us at the Eucharistic banquet. Day after day, week after week, He accepts our invitation and comes to share a meal with us. It doesn’t matter to him whether our celebration is grand or humble, filled with guests or a more intimate affair. Just as he was happy to rescue us, He is happy to spend time with us.
This week try to carve out time to attend at least one of the Holy Week services: the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday or the Stations of the Cross or the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday. Or spend some time in quiet adoration before the tabernacle. This is your opportunity to tell Jesus how grateful you are and how much he means to you. If you are making your offering in love and gratitude—no matter what that offering is—it will be a precious anointing for Jesus.6
Friar Jude Winkler provides background on the unknown author of “Suffering Servant” poems that deutero Isaiah incorporates into his writing that Jesus quotes in the Gospel. Love of the person in front of us requires action in the present. Friar Jude reminds that the anointing of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke is a by a different woman at a different location.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, asks: How does Jesus, the victim, transform us? How does the lamb of God “take away” our sin (John 1:29), to use the common metaphor? How does Jesus “overcome death and darkness,” as we often say? Is it a heavenly transaction on God’s side, or is it more an agenda that God gives us for our side?
Jesus takes away the sin of the world by dramatically exposing the real sin of the world (which is ignorant violence rather than not obeying purity codes); by refusing the usual pattern of revenge, and, in fact, “returning their curses with blessings” (Luke 6:27-28); and, finally, by teaching us that we can “follow him” in doing the same. There is no such thing as redemptive violence. Violence doesn’t save; it only destroys—in both short and long term. Jesus replaced the myth of redemptive violence with the truth of redemptive suffering. He showed us on the cross how to hold the pain and let it transform us, rather than pass it on to others around us.7
The themes of the overpowering impact of Love and the rejection of violent response to evil are often dismissed by the narrow dualism of the rationally restricted mind. Our connection to the Spirit is our path to the fusion implies by our love of neighbour and enemies.
References
1
|
(n.d.). CHAPTER 42 The Servant of the Lord 1 Here is my servant whom I .... Retrieved April 15, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/isaiah42.htm
|
2
|
(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 27 - usccb. Retrieved April 15, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27
|
3
| |
4
|
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 15, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
|
5
|
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 15, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
|
6
|
(n.d.). Monday of Holy Week - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved April 15, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/04/15
|
7
|
(n.d.). Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved April 15, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/
|
No comments:
Post a Comment