Contradictions are only Apparent

The psalmist proclaims “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. This confidence is a product of the relationship of the indwelling Spirit with the Divine. The situation of the faithful may be fragile measured by secular means yet, as Isaiah indicates the attitude of those who bring the message of the delight of the Divine in and for humanity have the attitude of servant and gentle person. This apparent contradiction between opening eyes, freeing prisoners and not breaking the reed puts the power of this conversion in the movement of the Divine. The followers of Jesus, John relates, deal with contradictions too. The anointing of Jesus with very expensive perfume is difficult for those who legitimately manage the money for the good of others to understand. What is the consequence of the measures to attempt to control the movement of the Spirit to be within human expectations? Jesus refers to this anointing as being intended for His burial. John indicates that the attempt to control Jesus has put Lazarus life in danger. The apparent contradiction of those charged with the life of Israel now seeking death as their means can be missed in our shock over the cost of the ointment.