Beyond Words

In earlier times you had to do something quite memorable for your words to be preserved by history.  The words of great rulers, great philosophers, words of kings and prime ministers, words of reformers and of spiritual leaders…words which led to momentous accomplishments or fractious violence - these words are recorded by history.  How different from the world today when our blogs, tweets and Facebook accounts – in short, our words - can be preserved indefinitely once posted to the Web.  No longer is history contained by overarching events and significant personalities.  The nature of history has changed and with it the place of words.

Enter Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, the Son of God.  Surely, Joseph was given a great charge: raising and protecting and providing for Jesus and his mother Mary.  As such he is a great figure by virtue of the task entrusted to him.  Yet not a single phrase of Scripture brings us his voice – his words. 

In this Joseph stands in marked contrast to those heroes recorded in the Old Testament.  Think of the warriors, priests and prophets whose words are preserved for us.  Some were unlikely, like Moses, who was chosen by God as messenger yet who had a speech impediment.  But Moses words are preserved for us throughout several of the books of the Bible.  It is believed that he himself penned several of these books.  Think of David, the youngest of the sons – a mere shepherd who became king and whose prodigious words are preserved in the sprawling book of the Psalms.  Think of the prophet Elijah who called down fire from heaven and who was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot.  His words are with us too, in the book of Kings.  Or of Queen Esther, who confronts the king in order to save her people, risking death to speak words, words that are preserved for us in the book that bears her name.  We also have the witness of Daniel, who braved the pit of lions to stay faithful to the promises he made with words to God.  Also there are the seven sons who sacrificed their very lives, one after another, rather than violate one of God’s commands, which were preserved by the words of Moses. 

Back to Saint Joseph.  The Bible does tell us of his involvement in naming the child Jesus - of his courage in taking Mary as his wife – as well as the flight to Egypt.  The Bible also tells us of Joseph’s three-day search alongside Mary for their son, Jesus.  And then the Scriptures fall silent.  And Joseph makes no other appearance.  However, we need not infer from this that Joseph was a mute - and appreciating his life does not mean endorsing a morose quietism.  No doubt he and Jesus had discussion and debate in the workshop of Nazareth.  No doubt there was laughter.  Although in one sense Joseph’s footprint in history is negligent, his impact on the man who would change the course of history was not. 

In our technologically advanced society where words foster immediate connection what can Joseph contribute?  In Joseph’s life, as in our own, it is not words alone that are of enduring value.  What we choose determines our commitment to Christ.  Joseph chose Mary, despite knowing that the child in her womb was not his own.  He stepped forward knowing that he would suffer rejection from others who were aware of the details of Mary’s pregnancy.  He chose to risk his own life to keep Mary and her son safe from Herod’s grasp.  He chose faith and a road filled with troubles over expediency and a life free from turmoil. 

The Church today acknowledges his footprint in salvation history.  We ask his prayers as we continue our journey through Lent and toward the coming feast of Easter.  Joseph, Patron of the Church and of Canada, terror of demons and defender of the Holy Family, intercede for us who have recourse to you.  And in a world filled with words, help us to choose the path of life. 

March 19, Feast of Saint Joseph

Trading Up

One of the dangers in living in this technological and materialistic culture is that we become what Pope Francis refers to as a ‘throw away’ society.  We become focused on things rather than people... accomplishments and applause above all else.  People become dispensable and people who cannot care for themselves: disposable.

We might also be familiar with the term ‘trading up’ – the acquiring of something new, ultra-modern and savvy while getting rid of the 'obsolete' and 'outdated'.  There is pressure in today’s society to ‘trade-up’ – to move from one income bracket to the next – accompanied by new friends from that higher income bracket – even at the expense of what is seen as ‘the old’. 

Jesus gives us an opposing witness when he encounters the wise scribe in today’s gospel.  It would have been the ideal opportunity to ‘trade up’ – to give the boot to one of the other apostles (pick any one of them…practically all of them were mere labourers – none of them had the qualifications or theological or oratorical pedigree to match this scribe.  And yet Jesus does not do it.  He does not add the most talented person in the room to his ‘team’.  He doesn’t 'trade up'.  And he doesn’t sell out.  He compliments the scribe but that’s as far as he goes.  And he leaves town with his original twelve, the fishermen, the tax collector and the zealot – all utterly inferior as far as training and natural talent go for the task of preaching the gospel and teaching the faith.

What about the people with whom we share our lives?  Are we merely tolerating them until someone more talented, more charming, more charismatic, more intelligent, more spiritual comes along?  If so, we might consider what Jesus’ witness today means for us…it might leave us as surprised as the ‘wise scribe’ must have been in Jesus’ presence.  

Die Hard: 4th Sunday of Lent

One thing I’ve begun to realize this Lent is that old habits die hard…and old bad habits die harder. 

This might be a good place to pick up with our first reading.  The people of Israel were in a terrible slump, having made decisions time and time again to betray their God and to forsake his ordinances, his way.  And there were serious repercussions.  Their land fell into the hands of their enemies and they were shuffled off into exile…their precious valuables were liquidated and their palaces burned with fire.  And yet God did not abandon them forever.  We see how, in King Cyrus, the Lord raised up a new beginning for Israel, starting with the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.  What was God doing?  He was building them from the ground up…starting fresh.  And he wants to do the same thing with us.  This Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, it means ‘to rejoice’.  It is this ‘rejoicing’ that gives us new impetus to follow the Lord despite our failures and setbacks, despite those bad habits that die hard.  The cry underlying our joy this Sunday is the willingness to begin anew, from the ground up – not letting past failures dissuade us from meaningful change. 

Think of the great example we have in Jesus Christ, he who came as the light yet the people preferred the darkness.  Yet rather than abandoning them to the darkness he stepped forward knowing that this would mean an encounter with the Cross, with suffering and with death.  Saint Paul points out to us that this death occurred ‘while we were yet sinners’.  Saint John Chrsysostom, a priest of Antioch of the fourth century, reflects that when Saint John wanted to show God’s love he did so not by referring to signs, wonders, or miracles.  He pointed to the cross, saying ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him might not perish but have eternal life.’  Chrysostom highlights Christ’s eagerness to encounter the Cross.  He recalls how Peter tried to dissuade Jesus from facing suffering and death, “Lord, let this never happen to you” – and that Jesus responded, “Get behind me Satan.”  Yet this openness to suffer is, at its root, not about suffering at all – it’s about love.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church points out that: 

God’s love for Israel is compared to a father’s love for his son.  His love for his people is stronger than a mother’s for her children.  God loves his people more than a bridegroom his beloved; his love will be victorious over even the worst infidelities and will extend to his most precious gift: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.’

In the Gospel today we overhear a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus.  Nicodemus, a learned scholar, a man of the law and of rigorous religious training is nonetheless afraid to visit Jesus in public and instead arranges to see Jesus under the cover of night.  Perhaps Nicodemus, a leading Jew of the city, feared some backlash if he were to be seen associating with the controversial preacher from backwoods Nazareth.  Jesus challenges him to look beyond the immediate things of this world and to consider the larger context of things.   Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of God will be rejected by the people – foreshadowing the coming crucifixion.  How these words must have rung true for him on the day Jesus died on the Cross.  On that day, Nicodemus makes a stunningly public appearance, appearing before Pilate, the Roman governor, asking permission to take the body of Jesus off of the cross and to tend to its burial.  It seems to me that Nicodemus may have come to the same conclusion as the Roman guard standing beneath the cross: “Truly this was the Son of God.” 

In the cross we have the witness of the most scandalous and most extravagant proof of the Father’s love for us.  Christ makes present His Body and His Blood here on the altar.  We sign ourselves with his cross when we enter the Church and after we receive the final blessing.  May it not be an empty sign but a sign of our willingness to allow the Lord room in our hearts.  Room to rebuild from the ground up the mustard seed of faith that the devil so longs to snatch away from us.  May we see the value of our lives in the shadow of the Cross.  May we see in the extreme price Jesus paid to set us free an eloquent indication of the value of our repentance.

Bad habits die hard…but they still need to die.  With God’s help and with the assurance of His love let us seek to grow in our trust of God as we face our own crosses in life.  Let us take advantage of the remaining days of Lent to carry our cross with Christ, encompassed not with a sense of suffering –but of love – a love that conquers suffering and death.

Godsmacked

One thing I’m coming to appreciate this Lent is that old habits die hard…and that old bad habits die harder.  Just when I seem to be making some progress…bam!  a setback…or two…or three.  It makes some sense to me that the psalmist today implores us, “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.”  It is a daily walk – a tenacious struggle – one in which the Enemy does not give an inch. 

The twisted logic of evil is on display in today’s gospel.  How could otherwise learned and virtuous men get things so terribly wrong – accusing the very Son of Justice of being in cahoots with the chief of demons?  Instead of learning from Jesus’ wisdom some in the crowd accused him of affiliation with the devil…all this while Jesus healed and did good to those afflicted with disability, disease and demons.  It is clear that being around Jesus is not enough – not even being witness to his miracles is enough – because the Enemy’s twisted logic of suspicion and malice can infect the minds of good people.  Jesus, for his part, does not launch into a major assault on those who dispute his good works, he doesn’t mount a stunning defense – he gently warns them that “the kingdom of God has come near.”

As we continue our perilous Lenten journey with its various graces, challenges and even setbacks…let us recognize that at this Mass the “kingdom of God” once again comes near.  And more to the point – the king of that kingdom condescends heaven to be consumed by us.  There is nothing we could ever do, no matter how great, so as to earn this gift which is given so freely – to sinner and saint.

Thank God for the gift of our faith, the gift of the Church, and for the call to holiness without which our lives would lose traction.  As Saint John Paul II pointed out:

We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures.  We are the sum of the Father’s love for us and of our real capacity to become the image of his Son.

The Only Question of Consequence...

You ask of me, you ask of St. Peter – the only question of consequence…

"Peter, do you love me?"

So often, I confess O Lord, that my love has been cold and slow to act

Yet as often as I have wandered away from your love

You have come to find me out and sought to bring me back to You

to be reconciled.

"Peter, do you love me more than these?"

These words strike to the core and brush aside, lay bare my own heart.

Lord, do I love You?  May it be so. 

Then you speak unexpected words…"feed my sheep."

Tend my lambs.  Feed my sheep.

Considering this task causes one to be overwhelmed with the simple truth –

With what shall I feed them?  I am impoverished myself.  I do not have enough to give.

But ‘God provides’ as it says in the Scriptures…though we struggle and fall

And often fail to be the conduit for God’s grace as He is calling us to be – ‘God provides’.

“Peter, when you were a young man you used to put sandals on your feet and go wherever you wished, but when you grow old someone will come and put a belt around you and take you to a place you would rather not go…But by this kind of death you will give glory to God.”  

Yes, there can be love in the midst of death, and most certainly there can be loving in the midst of dying.  It is not physical death such as Peter’s that we most often encounter but the small “letting go’s” that keep us going forward in serving – and in choosing to serve rather than be served.

Lord we ask forgiveness for the ways we have fallen short of your love and have failed to extend that love to others.  We ask forgiveness for any patterns of laziness or sloth have crept up in our lives.  We ask You to help us begin again.  Help us to trust You more readily than we have in the past and assist us in seeking Your truth wherever we go.  Do not lead us into temptation but guide us by Your Holy Spirit into the ways of righteousness. 

May we hear in Your words to Peter words for us.  That when You asked him, “Follow me” – that we might live these words…that we might follow You – wherever You lead.  Help us not to cling to former disappointments or discouraging results…but to trust in Your capacity to make us new.  Keep us focused on following the path You mark out for us…the path of Love…the path of self-sacrifice. 

I close these thoughts by turning to Mary, our Mother, and the star of the New Evangelization.  Mother, may you assist us in following your Son, Jesus.  May you who poured out all your maternal love and became an ardent disciple...show us best how to become children of the Word made Flesh.  May it be your delight to lead us to Christ the Sun who never sets.  Amen.