Holy Thursday, 2014

JOHN 13:1-15

DID YOU EVER WONDER WHERE WE GOT THE TERM “FIRST CLASS?” IN THE OLDEN DAYS, PEOPLE TRAVELED LONG DISTANCES BY STAGE COACH. ROADS WEREN'T VERY GOOD AND WERE SUBJECT TO FALLEN TREES, MUD SLIDES, WASH OUTS, AND OTHER HAZARDS. IF YOU WANTED TO RIDE A STAGE COACH, YOU COULD BUY A FIRST CLASS, A SECOND CLASS, OR THIRD CLASS TICKET. IF THE STAGE COACH MET SOME OBSTACLE, FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS COULD REMAIN IN THEIR SEATS, CONTINUING WHATEVER THEY WERE DOING. SECOND CLASS PASSENGERS HAD TO GET OUT AND WALK AROUND THE BARRIER TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD THAT THE HORSES HAD TO PULL. THIRD CLASS PASSENGERS, THOUGH, HAD TO GET OUT AND HELP THE STAGE COACH DRIVER GET THE COACH PAST THE BARRIER. THAT MEANT PUSHING AND LIFTING – THEY HAD TO GET “DOWN AND DIRTY”. THAT'S WHERE WE GET THAT EXPRESSION AS WELL. NOW YOU'VE HAD YOUR LANGUAGE LESSON.

IN THE DAYS OF JESUS, IF YOU WERE RICH, YOU HAD A SLAVE WHO WOULD WASH YOUR FEET. SINCE PEOPLE WORE SANDALS, AND THE STREETS WERE NOT ONLY DIRTY BUT WERE OFTEN THE PLACE WHERE TRASH WAS THROWN AND SEWAGE WAS SPILLED, IT WAS A NECESSITY TO WASH OFF YOUR FEET ONCE IN A WHILE, CERTAINLY BEFORE SITTING DOWN TO A MEAL. IF YOU WEREN'T RICH, YOU'D WASH YOUR OWN FEET, OR PERHAPS TAKE TURNS WASHING EACH OTHER'S FEET. IF YOU WERE A DISCIPLE OF A TEACHER, THE DISCIPLE ALWAYS WASHED HIS TEACHER'S FEET. TONIGHT JESUS, WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN FIRST CLASS, DESCENDS TO THIRD CLASS. HE IS THE ONE WHO GETS DOWN AND DIRTY.

ON HOLY THURSDAY WE CELEBRATE THE INSTITUTION OF THE SACRAMENTAL PRIESTHOOD, WHICH JESUS GAVE US SO THAT HE WOULD BE WITH US AS PRIEST, AS PROPHET AND AS RULER. OUR PRIESTS ARE PRIESTS BECAUSE THEY STAND IN FOR CHRIST, DOING WHAT HE DID – OFFERING HIS BODY AND BLOOD TO THE FATHER. THEY ACT AS PROPHETS WHEN THEY PREACH AND WHEN THEY SPEAK TO US IN THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION; A PROPHET IS SOMEONE WHO POINTS US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THEY ACT AS RULER BECAUSE THEY GATHER US INTO A COMMUNITY SO THAT WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE OF SERVICE TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE WORLD – MORE THAN WE COULD HAVE IF WE EACH ACTED ON OUR OWN.

WE ALSO CELEBRATE THE INSTITUTION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST. IN EVERY MASS WE HEAR THOSE WORDS – HE TOOK BREAD, GAVE THANKS, BROKE IT, AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES.... NOTICE THOSE WORDS. WHAT JESUS DID WE ARE INVITED TO DO WITH EVERY EUCHARIST. WE TAKE OR RECEIVE NOURISHMENT FROM OUR GOD. THE ULTIMATE NOURISHMENT IS HIS BODY AND BLOOD, BUT THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHER WAYS WE RECEIVE WHAT GOD PUTS OUT THERE FOR US; WE NOURISH OUR BODIES WITH FOOD AND DRINK; WE NOURISH OUR MINDS IN OUR LEARNING, IN OUR ENTERTAINMENT; WE NOURISH OUR SOCIAL SELVES THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE GOD GIVES US; AND WE NOURISH OUR SPIRITUAL SELVES THROUGH OUR PRAYERS, OUR FASTING, OUR CHARITABLE GIVING. OUT OF GOD'S ABUNDANCE HE INVITES US TO TAKE.

WE GIVE THANKS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN I WAS YOUNG I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT GIVING THANKS. OH, I PRAYED, BUT IT WAS USUALLY ASKING GOD FOR SOMETHING. NOW THAT I'M OLD, I FIND MYSELF PRAYING MORE PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING. IF I ASK “WHAT SHOULD I BE THANKFUL FOR TODAY?” I NEVER HAVE TO THINK FOR VERY LONG. THE LIST IS ENDLESS. AND IT SEEMS SO MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE TO BEGIN MY PRAYERS BY GIVING THANKS RATHER THAN ASKING FOR MORE.

OUT OF THIS GRATITUDE, WE BREAK OR DIVIDE UP SOME OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN, AND WE GIVE IT AWAY. MOST OF US HAVEN'T GOT A BIG PROBLEM WITH TAKING AND GIVING THANKS, BUT PERHAPS THE BREAKING AND THE GIVING AWAY COULD USE A LITTLE WORK.

WHY DID THE CHURCH SELECTED THIS READING ABOUT FOOT WASHING TO CELEBRATE THE DAY WHEN JESUS GAVE US THIS SACRAMENT, THIS INCREDIBLE MIRACLE BY WHICH HE CHOOSES TO FULFILL HIS PROMISE TO BE WITH US ALL DAYS EVEN TO THE END OF THE WORLD? WE COULD HAVE USED ANY OTHER OF THE FOUR GOSPELS, BECAUSE MARK, MATTHEW AND LUKE ALL CONTAIN A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THAT LAST SUPPER. IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, THOUGH, WE HAVE NO SUCH DESCRIPTION; INSTEAD WE HAVE THIS PORTRAIT OF JESUS GIVING HIMSELF TO HIS FRIENDS IN SERVICE.

THE OTHER GOSPEL WRITERS REMIND US THAT JESUS GAVE US HIS BODY AND BLOOD IN WHAT LOOKED LIKE BREAD AND WINE. THAT'S APPROPRIATE, BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THAT AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. WE NEED TO LET THOSE FACTS IMPACT ON US SO THAT WE BECOME WHAT GOD WANTS US TO BE. THE EUCHARIST, VATICAN II TELLS US, IS THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS. IT'S THE MAIN WAY GOD BECOMES ONE WITH US, AND FROM THIS FLOWS EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

BUT JOHN, THE WRITER OF THIS GOSPEL, REMINDS US THAT OUR EUCHARIST, OUR BECOMING ONE WITH CHRIST, ONLY BEGINS WHEN WE RECEIVE HIM IN HOLY COMMUNION. IT ISN'T UNTIL WE LEAVE OUR GATHERING, FILLED WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS FOR ALL GOD HAS GIVEN US, AND DETERMINED TO GO OUT AND BE OF SERVICE TO THOSE GOD CALLS US TO SERVE – IT ISN'T UNTIL WE WASH EACH OTHER'S FEET THAT OUR EUCHARIST IS COMPLETE.

IN A FEW MOMENTS FATHER WILL PERFORM A PROPHETIC ACTION. PRIESTS ARE, YOU KNOW, SUPPOSED TO BE PROPHETS, AND PROPHETS DO THINGS TO TEACH US IN A MORE PROFOUND WAY THAN CAN BE DONE WITH MERE WORDS. AS HE PERFORMS THIS ACT OF LOVING SERVICE, THIS ACT IN WHICH HE AS OUR LEADER AND TEACHER HUMBLES HIMSELF TO DO THE WORK OF A SLAVE, LET US REMEMBER THAT JESUS TURNED EVERYTHING UPSIDE DOWN, AND SHOWED US THAT FOR A CHRISTIAN, THIRD CLASS IS THE REAL FIRST CLASS. AND WHILE FATHER IS WASHING FEET, LET US MEDITATE ON HOW WE CAN BE OF SERVICE, HOW WE CAN IMITATE OUR MASTER AND WASH THE FEET OF SOMEONE. THE WORD “EUCHARIST” MEANS “TO GIVE THANKS”. AND WE GIVE THANKS BEST WHEN WE GO OUT IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST AND SERVE OTHERS.

I RAN ACROSS A LITTLE POEM BY BARBARA GIBSON; I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HEAR ON HOLY THURSDAY. IT'S CALLED,

JESUS AND THE DIRTY FEET

AS THEY SETTLE DOWN TO EAT

JESUS SEES THEIR DIRTY FEET.

JOHN, YOUR FEET ARE SOFT AND DUSTY.

PETER, YOURS ARE MIGHTY MUSTY.

ANDREW, YOURS ARE ROUGH AND CRUSTY.

IF IT TICKLES, DO NOT HOWL,

I WILL WIPE THEM WITH A TOWEL.

THOUGH THEY CRINGE TO SEE ME BOW,

I WILL WASH THEM ANYHOW.

FATHER SENT ME FROM ABOVE,

CALLING THEM TO SERVE AND LOVE.

Palm Sunday, Cycle A

MATTHEW 21:1-11

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, BEFORE VATICAN II, BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE REVISED COMMON LECTIONARY WHICH IS USED FOR THE MOST PART BY THE CATHOLIC AND MANY PROTESTANT CHURCHES, WE CELEBRATED PASSION SUNDAY ON THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, AND PALM SUNDAY ON THE SIXTH. IN 1970 THE TWO SUNDAYS WERE COMBINED. BEFORE THAT, PASSION SUNDAY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THE “PASSIONTIDE” SEASON – NOT QUITE LENT, BUT MAYBE A MORE INTENSE VERSION. EVEN THE WEEKDAY READINGS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PASSION OF CHRIST, OR PREDICTIONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT OF HIS SUFFERING. IT WAS ON PASSION SUNDAY THAT THE STATUES AND PICTURES AND CRUCIFIXES WERE DRAPED IN PURPLE, TO BE COVERED FOR A FULL TWO WEEKS. THEN ON PALM SUNDAY WE HAD A LITURGY MUCH LIKE TODAY'S. THE FIRST READING WAS THE GOSPEL TALKING ABOUT JESUS' TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM; AND THEN DURING THE MASS ITSELF, THE PASSION OF MATTHEW WAS READ.

THE EMPHASIS DURING THOSE TWO WEEKS, UP UNTIL EASTER SUNDAY, WAS ON THE SUFFERING AND DEATH OF JESUS. WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO FORGET THAT JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS. AND I HAD A POWERFUL IMAGINATION. I KNEW MY SINS. I TEASED MY SISTER UNMERCIFULLY. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I DIDN'T DO WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME TO DO. WHEN I WOULD GO TO CONFESSION, I WOULD CAREFULLY LIST ALL THE TIMES I HAD DONE SOMETHING THAT I CONSIDERED A SIN, KNOWING THAT IF I FORGOT ONE OF THEM, I WOULD HAVE MADE A BAD CONFESSION, WHICH IN ITSELF WAS A SERIOUS SIN. AND GOD STOOD THERE LOOKING AT ME WITH HIS ARMS FOLDED, WAITING FOR ME TO SLIP UP, AND REMINDING ME THAT THE TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS JESUS WAS UNDERGOING WERE MY FAULT, ALL MY FAULT.

BUT WE MAKE A MISTAKE WHEN WE IMAGINE GOD AS A BIGGER, MORE POWERFUL, SMARTER VERSION OF OURSELVES; SOMEONE WHO WOULD SADISTICALLY TORTURE US IN HELL IF HIS SON DIDN'T OFFER TO TAKE THE PUNISHMENT ON HIS OWN SHOULDERS. THE WORST OF US MIGHT DO THAT; THE WORST OF US MIGHT DEMAND THAT SOMEONE WHO OFFENDED US BE MADE TO PAY THE LAST PENNY. THE WORST OF US MIGHT TAKE DELIGHT IN THE SUFFERINGS OF SOMEONE SO THAT NOT ONLY DO WE GET EVEN, WE GET EVEN MORE EVEN. BUT THAT IS NOT WHO GOD IS.

WE OFTEN FORGET, IT IS NOT GOD WHO IS UP THERE IN HEAVEN SCOWLING DOWN ON US, WATCHING JESUS BREATH HIS LAST BREATH. NO, IT IS GOD WHO IS HANGING ON THE CROSS. THERE IS GOD, WHO KNOWS YOUR SINS AND MINE; HE KNOWS ABOUT ALL MY SINS, LITTLE ONES, MIDDLE ONES, REALLY BIG ONES. HE KNOWS THAT I AM NOT AS SORRY AS I COULD BE FOR COMMITTING THEM; AFTER ALL, IF THEY ARE SINS, I HAD TO DO THEM KNOWINGLY, AND AT THE TIME I DID THEM, THERE WAS SOMETHING AWFULLY ATTRACTIVE ABOUT WHAT I WAS ABOUT TO DO. AND MAYBE EVEN LONG AFTER RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION, LONG AFTER I'VE GOTTEN OLDER AND WISER, I CAN LOOK BACK ON THAT SIN AND STILL SEE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING THERE THAT I WANTED, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT IF THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE THE SAME, I WOULDN'T FALL AGAIN? I'M SUPPOSED TO HAVE A FIRM PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT, THE INTENTION TO NOT DO THAT SIN I CONFESSED. BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT THE SAME THINGS KEEP POPPING UP IN THE CONFESSIONAL. AND JESUS KNOWS THAT.

JESUS KNOWS THAT IF I HAD BEEN THERE DURING THE PASSION, I MIGHT WELL HAVE DENIED HIM, LIKE PETER; I MIGHT WELL HAVE TURNED MY BACK AND IGNORED THE WHOLE THING, LIKE MANY IN THE CROWD. I MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE YELLING FOR HIS BLOOD, OR LAUGHING AT HIS NAKEDNESS AS HE HUNG ON THE CROSS. AFTER ALL, THOSE WERE ORDINARY PEOPLE, NOT REALLY DIFFERENT THAN YOU AND I. MANY WERE CONVINCED THAT HE WAS A CRIMINAL – AFTER ALL, THE ROMANS AND THE JEWISH LEADERS SAID SO -- AND HE DID NOT DESERVE TO LIVE.

IT IS GOD WHO HANGS ON THE CROSS, GOD WHO JUDGES EACH OF US, GOD WHO WITH PERFECT JUSTICE ASSIGNS THE PENANCE WE DESERVE FOR OUR SINS – AND THEN FORGIVES US, TOTALLY, COMPLETELY, SO MUCH SO THAT HE DIES, CARRYING WITH HIM INTO DEATH MY SINS AND THE PUNISHMENT THOSE SINS DESERVE. THAT IS THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS. IT IS ABOUT A GOD WHO BECAME ONE OF US, WHO EMPTIED HIMSELF OUT SO THAT HE COULD TAKE OUR SINS UPON HIMSELF, SO THAT HE COULD EVEN GO INTO THE GRAVE WITH US, BECAUSE HIS LOVE EXTENDS EVEN THERE. GRACE IS NOT BEING DISPENSED FROM ABOVE LIKE ZEUS WITH LIGHTNING BOLTS; GRACE IS COMING FROM THE BROKEN FRAGILE WORLD WE LIVE IN, WHICH IS THE SAME WORLD THAT JESUS ENTERS IN TO.

THE PALMS WE HOLD REMIND US THAT EACH OF US HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WELCOMING JESUS INTO JERUSALEM, DANCING, SINGING, THROWING OUR CLOAKS ON THE GROUND, WAVING PALMS IN THE AIR. AND THEY REMIND US THAT BEFORE THE PALMS HAVE EVEN STARTED TO TURN BROWN AND STIFF, WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE IN THE CROWD THAT CALLS FOR HIS DEATH, FOR HIS CRUCIFIXION – THAT SHOUT, “AWAY WITH HIM!”. AND IF WE TAKE OUR PALM HOME AND PLACE IT BEHIND A CRUCIFIX, WHICH IS WHAT WE DID WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, WE ARE ALWAYS REMINDED THAT WE CAN GO EITHER WAY – WELCOMING JESUS INTO OUR LIVES OR SHOUTING “AWAY WITH HIM!” MAY THE PALM ALSO BE A REMINDER FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR THAT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT GOD, WE THINK ABOUT THE CROSS – BECAUSE THAT IS GOD ON THE CROSS, GOD WHO SAYS, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.”

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle A

JOHN 11:1-45

THERE IS A DELIGHTFUL LADY IN THE JEWISH NURSING HOME WHO IS ABOUT 91. I MET HER MORE THAN A YEAR AGO; SHE COULD WALK WITH A WALKER, BUT PREFERRED A WHEEL CHAIR. SHE LIKED TO SIT IN THE DAY ROOM WITH ANOTHER LADY. THEY WOULD REMINISCE AND TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE THERE. LIKE EVERYONE WHO IS IN A PLACE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BE, MY FRIEND WOULD COMPLAIN GENTLY ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK CARE OF HER. THEY DIDN'T COME QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN SHE RANG HER BELL – BUT SHE KNEW THEY WERE BUSY. SOMETIMES IT WAS HARD TO SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE THERE WERE OTHER PATIENTS ON THE FLOOR WHO WOULD SLIP INTO DEMENTIA WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THEY LOST THEIR BEARINGS. THE FOOD WAS NOT WHAT SHE WOULD LIKE, AND EITHER SHE WAS HUNGRY AND THERE WAS NO FOOD, OR THEY BROUGHT HER HER MEALS WHEN SHE WASN'T HUNGRY AT ALL. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR SHE HAS DETERIORATED. SHE IS BEDRIDDEN, NEEDS OXYGEN, AND HER HEART IS GIVING OUT. SHE RECEIVED THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK AND THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION. I BRING HER COMMUNION WHEN I VISIT. SHE WAS APPROACHED BY THE STAFF AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT SHE SIGN ON TO HOSPICE. MY FRIEND KNOWS SHE IS DYING, BUT DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE UP. SHE BELIEVES IN LIFE AFTER DEATH BUT WOULD RATHER HAVE HER PAINFUL HELPLESS LIFE A LITTLE LONGER.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO DIE? SCIENTISTS AND SAINTS HAVE GIVEN ANSWERS TO THIS QUESTION, BUT WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE DYING, I SUPPOSE NONE OF THOSE ANSWERS SATISFY. AND HOW MANY PRAYERS FOR DYING LOVED ONES SEEM TO GO UNANSWERED? WHEN I HEARD THAT MY 90 YEAR OLD MOTHER SUFFERING FROM ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, WAS DYING, I PRAYED THAT HER DEATH WOULD BE PAINLESS AND SHE WOULD BE SWIFTLY BROUGHT TO HEAVEN. AND I FELT GUILTY. WHAT KIND OF SON AM I TO WANT MY MOTHER TO DIE?

IN THE STORY TODAY, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH JESUS WORKS A MIRACLE TO RAISE HIS FRIEND LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD. BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT. WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON HERE IS A DEMONSTRATION BY JESUS OF HOW GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS; IT'S TELLING US SOMETHING ABOUT “THE WILL OF GOD”. A LOT OF CHRISTIANS WORRY ABOUT DOING THE WILL OF GOD. IT'S LIKE YOU HAVE A QUESTION WITH SEVERAL POSSIBLE ANSWERS. ONE OF THEM IS THE WILL OF GOD; THE REST ARE NOT, AND IF YOU CHOOSE WRONG, BOY ARE YOU IN TROUBLE.

SEE WHAT HAPPENS. JESUS DOESN'T DO ANYTHING AT FIRST; THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER, HE AND HIS DISCIPLES GO DOWN TO BETHANY, AND ON THE WAY HE TELLS THEM THAT LAZARUS IS ALREADY DEAD. AND THE QUESTION COMES UP, AS IT DOES IN OUR OWN LIVES, “IF YOU REALLY LOVED HIM, JESUS, WHY DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?” AND YOU MIGHT ASK, AS WELL, “WHERE IS GOD WHEN YOU NEED HIM?” AND MAYBE WHEN YOUR PRAYERS AREN'T ANSWERED YOU MAY BE FORGIVEN FOR THINKING THAT ALL THIS TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US IS JUST THAT – TALK.

JOHN, THE GOSPEL WRITER, TELLS US THAT JESUS BECAME PERTURBED, BECAME TROUBLED. WAS HE BREATHING HARD, TRYING TO HOLD BACK TEARS? AND THEN JESUS WEPT. HE WASN'T TROUBLED, HE DIDN'T WEEP JUST SO THAT HE COULD DEMONSTRATE SOMETHING TO THE CROWD. AFTER ALL, HE HAD JUST ASSURED MARTHA THAT LAZARUS WOULD RISE AGAIN. NO, JESUS WAS TROUBLED, JESUS FELT DEEP EMOTION, JESUS WEPT – BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY HOW GOD WORKS. GOD ENTERS INTO OUR PAIN AND SUFFERING, HE TAKES IT TO HIMSELF. GOD GAVE US A PRICELESS GIFT – FREE WILL. BUT FREE WILL IS REAL ONLY IF OUR CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES. IN THE STORY OF OUR FIRST PARENTS, WE KNOW THAT DEATH AND SUFFERING WERE BROUGHT INTO THE WORLD BY THEIR CHOICE; BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NO DIFFERENT; EVEN THE HOLIEST AMONG US MAKES CHOICES WHICH GO AGAINST GOD'S WILL. WE ARE NOT INNOCENT, AND DEATH AND SUFFERING STILL COME ABOUT BECAUSE WE HAVE FREE WILL.

SO JESUS DOES WHAT GOD DOES; HE ENTERS INTO THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF THE TWO SISTERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR DEAR BROTHER. ON THE ROAD TO BETHANY HE SHOWED NO GRIEF, BUT NOW HE TAKES ON THEIR GRIEF.

HOW OUR FREE WILL LEADS TO SIN AND DEATH IS A MYSTERY, ONLY HINTED AT BY THE STORY OF ADAM AND EVE. AND LAZARUS' DEATH IS NO DIFFERENT. ALTHOUGH MARTHA AND MARY BELIEVE THAT JESUS COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING IF HE HAD GOTTEN THERE ON TIME, THEY HAVE NO EXPECTATION THAT ANYTHING COULD SOFTEN THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. PERHAPS THEY KNOW THAT JESUS RAISED OTHER PEOPLE FROM THE DEAD; BUT THEY ALSO KNEW THAT THAT WAS POSSIBLE; AFTER ALL, IT WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THE SOUL STAYED NEAR THE BODY FOR THREE DAYS. BUT LAZARUS HAD BEEN DEAD FOR FOUR DAYS, AND AS MARTHA POINTS OUT, HE IS DECOMPOSING – THE SOUL LONG AGO WENT TO THE REALM OF THE DEAD AND CAN'T BE CALLED BACK.

JESUS, WHO HAS ENTERED INTO THEIR SUFFERING, CALLS LAZARUS FROM THE TOMB, AND HE COMES OUT, RESTORED TO LIFE. BUT IN A SENSE JESUS HASN'T WORKED A MIRACLE; HE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENT FROM WHAT GOD ALWAYS DOES; HE HAS MERELY ENTERED INTO TRAGEDY AND SUFFERING, AND BROUGHT GOOD OUT OF THE SITUATION. BECAUSE GOD INTENDS FOR ALL OF US TO RISE AGAIN. LAZARUS ROSE AGAIN SOONER THAN WE WILL TO PROVE THAT RESURRECTION OF THE BODY IS INTENDED FOR EVERY HUMAN BEING.

MY FRIEND IN THE NURSING HOME HAS A GOOD MIND AND SHE IS NO DUMMY. SHE KNOWS THAT AT 90 SHE HAS LIVED ABOUT AS LONG AS ANYONE WOULD WANT TO. SHE KNOWS THAT HER BODY IS FAILING; SHE LOOKS BACK ON HER LIFE AND ADMITS THAT SHE WAS HIGHLY FAVORED – A LONG AND HAPPY MARRIAGE, THREE KIDS OF WHOM SHE IS PROUD; GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN; MAYBE SHE HEARS A LITTLE VOICE IN HER HEAD – WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? CERTAINLY THAT'S THE VOICE OF HER CAREGIVERS WHO TRY TO TELL HER THAT DEATH IS NATURAL, THAT SHE SHOULD JUST LET GO; THAT THEY CAN KEEP HER FROM PAIN AND GIVE HER SOME MEDICATION TO COUNTERACT THE UNPLEASANT SYMPTOMS SHE IS HAVING. BUT HER FAMILY AND HER WELL-MEANING CAREGIVERS ARE WRONG. SHE DOESN'T WANT TO DIE, AND GOD DOESN'T WANT HER TO DIE EITHER.

AND GOD, WHO HAS ENTERED INTO HER SUFFERING, AS HE DOES WITH EACH OF HIS CHILDREN WHEN THEY SUFFER, WILL DO WHAT ONLY GOD CAN DO, AND DOES DO; HE WILL BRING RESURRECTION OUT OF DEATH, JOY OUT OF SUFFERING, GOOD OUT OF EVIL. WE HAVE FREE WILL. THERE HAVE TO BE CONSEQUENCES TO OUR CHOICES. AMONG THOSE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT WE WILL SUFFER, WE WILL DIE.

AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GOD'S WILL, THAT IS WHAT WE REALLY MEAN. GOD'S WILL, AND HIS WILL IS NEVER BLOCKED, IS TO TAKE WHAT HE IS GIVEN AND BRING GOOD OUT OF IT. AND HE IS WITH MY FRIEND, SUFFERING WITH HER, AND WAITING FOR THAT MOMENT WHEN SHE SURRENDERS TO DEATH. AND HE WILL SAY, “THAT IS THE MOST TERRIBLE THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO ONE OF MY CHILDREN. BUT I CAN WORK WITH THAT, I CAN BRING GOOD OUT OF IT.” AND HE WILL SMILE AND SAY TO MY FRIEND, “DAUGHTER, COME OUT!”

Fourth Sunday in Lent, cycle A

JOHN 9:1-41

JOHN'S GOSPEL WAS WRITTEN ABOUT 80 YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF JESUS, WE ARE TOLD. THAT MEANS THAT THERE WERE THRIVING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND IN MANY OTHER AREAS. IN FACT ONE RELIABLE ESTIMATE IS THAT BY 100 AD ONE IN EVERY 100 PEOPLE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE WERE CHRISTIAN – THAT MAKES ABOUT 1 MILLION. WHEN JOHN WROTE HIS GOSPEL, HE WASN'T TRYING TO DO YET ANOTHER BIOGRAPHY IF JESUS – HE WAS USING EVENTS FROM JESUS' LIFE TO DEVELOP A THEOLOGY. AND THIS STORY IS NO EXCEPTION. I'M SURE YOU REMEMBER THE STORY IN MARK WHERE JESUS HEALED A BLIND MAN BY PUTTING HIS SALIVA ON THE MAN'S EYES. IN MARK, THE MAN CAN SEE, BUT NOT VERY WELL, SO JESUS REPEATS THE PROCESS, AND HE CAN SEE PERFECTLY. THIS IS PROBABLY THE SAME STORY, BUT NOW JOHN, A BISHOP IN SOUTHERN TURKEY, IS TEACHING US SOMETHING.

FIRST OF ALL, HE IS SHOWING US THAT THERE ARE MANY KINDS OF BLINDNESS – THE APOSTLES SHOW THE BLINDNESS OF PREJUDICE. IF SOMEONE IS SUFFERING A MISFORTUNE, SOME PEOPLE ASK, WHAT DID YOU DO TO CAUSE THIS? IN FACT, SOME PEOPLE EVEN BLAME THEMSELVES WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES. IT'S AS THOUGH GOD IS JUST WAITING FOR US TO SCREW UP. AND YOU CAN'T BLAME THE JEWISH PEOPLE FOR THIS ATTITUDE – GOD TOLD MOSES THAT THE SINS OF THE PARENTS WOULD AFFECT EVEN THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION – LATER, OF COURSE, EZECHIEL POINTED OUT THAT PUNISHMENT FOR SIN WOULD ONLY HAPPEN TO THE SINNER; BUT STILL, SOMEBODY MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG IF THIS MAN WAS BORN BLIND, RIGHT?

THEN THERE WERE THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN. THEIR BLINDNESS WAS DENIAL. WHEN THEY SAW THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN BLIND AND NOW WASN'T, ONE EXPLANATION WAS THAT IT WASN'T THE SAME MAN. I THINK WE HAVE THIS KIND OF BLINDNESS WHEN WE ARE CALLED TO FORGIVE – WE CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE PERSON WE ARE SUPPOSED TO FORGIVE HAS REALLY CHANGED; OUR FIRST REACTION IS THAT THEY ARE FAKING IT.

THE PHARISEES HAVE A PARTICULARLY BAD KIND OF BLINDNESS – MAYBE WE COULD CALL IT “RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION”. THE MAN WAS HEALED ON THE SABBATH! HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY CREDENTIALS TO PERFORM HEALING!AND IF THE MAN REALLY WAS HEALED, WELL, DON'T GIVE CREDIT TO JESUS, GIVE IT TO GOD. I THINK ALL OF US ARE GUILTY, AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT, OF THIS KIND OF BLINDNESS. WE TEND TO SEE EVERYTHING AS “US” AND “THEM”. WE ARE ALWAYS DRAWING LINES. ONE EXAMPLE: WE CATHOLICS BELIEVE THAT OUR CHURCH CONTAINS ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR US TO ACHIEVE SALVATION; WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT WHAT THE CHURCH TEACHES IS TRUE. THAT MEANS OF COURSE, THAT PEOPLE WHO BELONG TO OTHER RELIGIONS, OTHER DENOMINATIONS, AUTOMATICALLY LACK SOMETHING, RIGHT? BUT THAT'S THE FALLACY – WE CAN BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE IS TRUE AND GOOD AND GIVEN BY GOD, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE ANY JUDGMENT ABOUT ANOTHER RELIGION – ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LIVE OUR OWN FAITH AS WELL AS POSSIBLE. EVEN THE POPE CAN'T TELL THE HOLY SPIRIT WHERE TO GO AND WHERE NOT TO GO. HAD THE PHARISEES NOT BEEN BLIND, THEY WOULD HAVE REJOICED THAT GOD WAS MANIFESTING HIMSELF IN THEIR MIDST.

AND FINALLY, THE PARENTS. THEY ARE BLIND BECAUSE OF COWARDICE, OF SELFISHNESS. IF MY CHILD HAD BEEN BLIND FROM BIRTH, AND WAS SUDDENLY HEALED, I WOULD BE ECSTATIC. BUT THESE PARENTS ARE AFRAID THEY WILL BE KICKED OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE. THE MOST THEY CAN MUSTER IS THAT THE MAN IS THEIR SON AND, YES, HE WAS BLIND FROM BIRTH – BUT GO ASK HIM, LEAVE US ALONE. WHEN WE MEET PEOPLE WHO SNEER AT OUR CHURCH OR ACCUSE OUR PRIESTS AND BISHOPS OF TERRIBLE THINGS, DO WE TRY TO LAY LOW SO THAT WE ARE NOT KICKED OUT OF THE GROUP? ARE WE PROUD OF OUR CATHOLICISM, OR WOULD WE RATHER THAT NO ONE NOTICES? HOW MANY PEOPLE GO HOME AFTER RECEIVING ASHES ON ASH WEDNESDAY AND WASH THEIR FACES BEFORE GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD?

JOHN WANTS THE BLIND MAN TO TEACH US A LESSON AS WELL. FIRST, THE BLINDNESS CANNOT BE CURED BYH ANYTHING PEOPLE CAN DO – THIS REQUIRES GOD'S TOUCH. IT'S LIKE WHEN WE ARE BAPTIZED – IT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO BEGIN THE JOURNEY TO GOD. THAT ISN'T TO SAY THAT GOD DOESN'T HAVE OTHER WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE BEGIN THIS JOURNEY, BUT THE INITIATIVE IS GOD'S, NOT OUR OWN. AT THIS STAGE, THE MAN BORN BLIND IS ONLY AWARE THAT HIS SIGHT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO HIM, AND A MAN NAMED JESUS DID IT.

THE MAN IS FORCED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BY THE PHARISEES – IF THIS HAPPENED WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY? HE REPLIES, “HE IS A PROPHET”.

THE PHARISEES ARGUE WITH HIM AGAIN. THE MAN STICKS TO WHAT HE KNOWS TO BE TRUE – HE WAS BLIND BUT NOW CAN SEE; AND GOD WOULDN'T WORK A MIRACLE FOR SOMEONE STEEPED IN SIN. THE ONLY CONCLUSION THE BLIND MAN CAN REACH IS THAT THIS JESUS IS FROM GOD. NOTICE THAT THE BLIND MAN KEEPS GOING BACK TO THE FACTS – IN LIGHT OF REALITY, HE CAN'T BE PREJUDICED; HE CAN'T BE IN DENIAL; HE CAN'T FALL BACK ON RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION; AND HE REFUSES TO BE INTIMIDATED INTO DENYING ANY PART OF WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM. AND HE IS EXPELLED FROM THE SYNAGOGUE, WHICH IS A PRETTY BAD THING IF YOU LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN WHERE THE SYNAGOGUE IS THE CENTER OF VILLAGE LIFE.

THERE IS ONE FURTHER STEP, IN THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THIS MAN. GOD STARTS THE PROCESS, AND THE MAN RECOGNIZES THAT JESUS DID IT; AND AS HE THINKS ABOUT IT, HE CONCLUDES JESUS IS A PROPHET, AND THEN THAT HE WAS SENT FROM GOD. BUT THE LAST STEP, THE RECOGNITION THAT JESUS IS WORTHY OF WORSHIP, AND THEREFORE THAT HE IS GOD, IS A GIFT FROM JESUS – A GIFT THE BLIND MAN ACCEPTS AND ACTS UPON – HE FALLS DOWN AND WORSHIPS. JOHN IS TELLING US THAT IN THE BEGINNING GOD INITIATES OUR JOURNEY TO BECOME ONE WITH HIM; AND IF WE ARE FAITHFUL, IF WE CLING TO THE TRUTH, THAT JESUS CAME INTO THIS WORLD TO SUFFER AND DIE FOR US, AND TO RISE AGAIN SO THAT WE WOULD HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, JESUS HIMSELF WILL BRING US TO THAT FINAL STEP, WHEN WE SEE HIM CLEARLY AS LORD, SAVIOR AND MESSIAH. THAT'S WHAT IS MEANT BY CLINGING TO ONE'S FAITH.

SO ON THIS FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, LET US LOOK AT HOW WE ARE BLIND – BECAUSE WE ARE. AND LET US ASK JESUS TO HEAL OUR BLINDNESS AND LEAD US TO THAT POINT WHERE WE REALIZE, NOT JUST WITH WORDS, BUT WITH OUR WHOLE BEING, THAT HE IS GOD AND HE IS THE ONLY REALITY THAT MATTERS.

Third Sunday in Lent, Cycle A

JOHN 4:5-42

THE GOSPEL STORY WE'VE JUST HEARD IS AT THE SAME TIME VERY FAMILIAR AND VERY STRANGE. IT'S STRANGE BECAUSE WE CAN'T HEAR IT THE WAY IT WAS FIRST HEARD. WE AREN'T SHOCKED AS THOSE HEARERS WERE – AND AS THE APOSTLES AND THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN WERE. WE AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE CONVENTIONS PEOPLE PUT IN STORIES IN THOSE DAYS. IF YOU GO TO A MOVIE AND SOME TEENAGERS ARE WALKING THROUGH THE WOODS AT NIGHT, AND ONE OF THEM GETS SEPARATED FROM THE REST, YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. OR IF A MOVIE HAS A WESTERN BAR AND OUR HERO IS SITTING AND HAVING A DRINK, AND SOMEONE IN A BLACK HAT WALKS THROUGH THE SWINGING DOORS, YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. THE STORY OF THE WOMAN AT THE WELL BEGINS WITH A CONVENTION – JESUS MEETS HER AT A WELL.

THERE WERE OTHER SUCH MEETINGS. ABRAHAM'S SERVANT MET REBECCA, WHO WOULD BE ISAAC'S WIFE, AT A WELL. JACOB MET HIS FUTURE WIFE RACHEL, AT A WELL. MOSES MET HIS WIFE ZIPPORAH, AT A WELL. SAUL MET SOME WOMEN AT A WELL BUT SINCE HE DID NOT FIND A WIFE, THIS WAS A STERILE MEETING, JUST AS HIS KINGSHIP WOULD BE STERILE – NO SON OF HIS WOULD INHERIT HIS KINGDOM. AND NOW, JESUS MEETS A WOMAN AT A WELL

YOUR FIRST REACTION, IF YOU WERE LISTENING TO THIS STORY AND WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE SCRIPTURES AND THE MEANING OF MEETING AT A WELL, WOULD BE TO SUSPECT THAT JESUS WAS ABOUT TO MEET HIS FUTURE WIFE. BUT THEN WE LEARN THAT THIS WOMAN IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE KIND OF WIFE YOU WOULD WANT IF YOU WERE A GOOD JEW. SHE WAS FIRST OF ALL, NOT JEWISH – A MEMBER OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WERE CONSIDERED WORSE THAN GENTILES, BECAUSE THEY PRACTICED A DISTORTED FORM OF JUDAISM, AND BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT OF PURE BLOOD. SECOND, YOU LEARN THAT SHE HAS BEEN MARRIED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND IS CURRENTLY LIVING WITH SOMEONE WHO IS NOT HER HUSBAND. AND THIS ALL TAKES PLACE AT NOON, THE WRITER MAKES SURE TO TELL US, BECAUSE NO SELF-RESPECTING WOMAN WOULD DRAW WATER AT NOON. THIS WAS DONE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THE WOMEN WOULD CATCH UP WITH EACH OTHER ON THE NEWS AND GOSSIP. YOU CAME AT NOON, WHEN IT WAS HOT AND UNCOMFORTABLE, ONLY IF YOU WERE TRYING TO AVOID MEETING OTHER PEOPLE.

THE WOMAN IS REALLY UNDESIRABLE – AS A WIFE, AS A FRIEND, EVEN AS AN ACQUAINTANCE, BECAUSE, AS THE WRITER TELLS US, JEWS DID NOT ASSOCIATE WITH SAMARITANS, JEWISH MEN DID NOT TALK TO STRANGE WOMEN. ANY OTHER GOOD JEW WOULD NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE HER EXISTENCE.

BUT JESUS DOES SOMETHING UNPRECEDENTED: HE ASKS HER FOR SOME WATER.

OUR WORLD IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF CONVERSION. AND YET, IF WE DON'T DO IT, IT WON'T GET DONE. AND WE KNOW IT HAS TO BE ONE ON ONE; WE AREN'T GOING TO CONVERT PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO BE CONVERTED UNLESS WE MEET THEM ONE ON ONE. JESUS BEGINS THEIR CONVERSATION BY MAKING HIMSELF DEPENDENT ON HER. HE ASKS FOR WATER.

THEY BEGIN TO DIALOGUE. WHEN WE HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DO, WE HAVE TO AVOID TWO THINGS. THE FIRST IS TO PAPER OVER OUR DISAGREEMENTS AND SAY THOSE AWFUL WORDS, “IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE, JUST SO YOU ARE SINCERE AND A GOOD PERSON.” THE SECOND IS TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I AM RIGHT, YOU ARE WRONG. THE ANCIENT LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA, WHICH CONTAINED PRICELESS MANUSCRIPTS, WAS BURNED TO THE GROUND BY MOSLEM TROOPS BECAUSE, AS THE CALIPH SAID, IF ANY OF THOSE BOOKS CONTAINED ANYTHING CONTRARY TO THE KORAN, THEY SHOULD BE BURNED, AND IF THEY SAID WHAT WAS IN THE KORAN, IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO KEEP THEM AROUND BECAUSE THEY WERE REDUNDANT. IT'S A HUMAN TENDENCY TO SAY, I'M RIGHT AND YOU ARE WRONG. NOTICE, THOUGH THAT JESUS DOES NOT CONDEMN OR BELITTLE THE WOMAN'S RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES; HE DOES SAY THAT “SALVATION IS FROM THE JEWS”, BUT THAT WOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE TO A SAMARITAN; AFTER ALL, THEY CLAIMED THE SAME ANCESTORS AS THE JEWS. JESUS POINTS TO A FUTURE WHEN GOD HIMSELF WILL TRANSCEND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PEOPLE AND DRAW OUT THE “TRUE WORSHIPPERS”.

THE RESULT OF THIS CONVERSATION IS THAT THE WOMAN BECOMES THE FIRST MISSIONARY; SHE CONVINCES OTHERS OF HER VILLAGE TO COME AND LISTEN, AND WHEN THEY DO, THEY BELIEVE OF THEMSELVES RATHER THAN BECAUSE WHAT SHE HAS TOLD THEM.

AND THAT'S A GOOD RECIPE FOR US. HOW DO WE BEGIN OUR DIALOGUE? FIRST, WE RECOGNIZE, AS JESUS DID, THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE A DEEP HUNGER FOR THE TRUTH. WE CAN'T IGNORE THEM. SECOND, WE THEN HAVE TO SEEK WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON; WE HAVE TO PLACE OURSELVES ON AN EQUAL LEVEL WITH THE OTHER PERSON.

REAL DIALOGUE REQUIRES THAT WE SEE EACH OTHER AS PEERS. IF YOU SEE YOURSELF AS SUPERIOR YOU CAN TELL SOMEONE SOMETHING, BUT PROBABLY NOT CONVINCE THEM. IF YOU SEE YOURSELF AS INFERIOR, YOU WON'T BE LISTENED TO. JESUS IN ASKING FOR THE WATER AND PRESUMABLY DRINKING IT, MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE WOMAN TO ENTER INTO DIALOGUE WITH HIM.

THIRD, WE NEED TO BE DEEPLY ROOTED IN WHAT WE KNOW TO BE TRUE, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THE HUMILITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN LEARN SOMETHING FROM ANYBODY – EVEN PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DO. I HAVE NO TROUBLE AGREEING THAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH; THAT IT TEACHES EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR OUR SALVATION. BUT WE HAVE THAT TENDENCY TO THINK IN DUALISTIC TERMS – IF MY CHURCH IS RIGHT, THEN YOURS MUST BE WRONG. A LUTHERAN PASTOR COINED THE TERM “HOLY ENVY” TO DESCRIBE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE. WHEN I MEET SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES DIFFERENTLY THAN I DO, I SHOULD LOOK AT WHAT HE BELIEVES AND TRY TO FIND WHAT IS ATTRACTIVE AND BEAUTIFUL IN THAT TRADITION. AND IT'S NOT WRONG TO WISH THAT OUR OWN TRADITION MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE MORE OF THAT. I GREW UP AROUND MORMONS. THEIR RELIGION EMPHASIZES FORMING A COMMUNITY AND THEIR TRADITIONS ALL WORK TO STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITIES. I ENVY THAT. AND THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS – THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN “BODIES AND SOULS” LIKE WE DO. AND BECAUSE OF THAT IT IS A RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY, WHICH WILL SLEEP AFTER DEATH AND BE RAISED UP AGAIN AT THE END OF TIME. I ENVY THAT FOCUS ON RESURRECTION. WE BELIEVE IN RESURRECTION OF THE BODY, BUT MOST OF US, I THINK, ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SOULS.

HOLY ENVY REQUIRES THAT WE UNDERSTAND AND TREASURE WHAT WE HAVE, BUT APPRECIATE WHAT OTHERS HAVE. FROM THIS STANDPOINT, WE ARE BETTER WITNESSES AND MORE LIKELY TO DO REAL EVANGELIZATION.

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AND THROUGH HER, HER WHOLE VILLAGE, BECOME CHRISTIANS; PERHAPS THIS IS A SIGN OF THE CHURCH TO COME AFTER JESUS RESURRECTION. AND IF SO, THEN THE MEETING BETWEEN JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN IS KIND OF LIKE THOSE OTHER MEETINGS, BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS HIS BRIDE.

Second Sunday in Lent, cycle A

MATTHEW 17:1-9

I'M SURE YOU ALL REMEMBER THE STORY OF CINDERELLA. WHAT DID THE FAIRY GODMOTHER REALLY DO HERE? SURE, A BEAUTIFUL GOWN, GLASS SLIPPERS, AN ELEGANT CARRIAGE MADE OUT OF PUMPKINS; BEAUTIFUL HORSES TRANSFORMED FROM MICE. BUT IT WAS STILL CINDERELLA – BUT PLACED IN A SETTING SO THAT PEOPLE LOOKED AT HER IN A NEW WAY.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LOOK AT ANOTHER PERSON? THINK ABOUT POPE FRANCIS; WHEN HE WAS FIRST RAISED TO THE PAPACY, HE QUICKLY BECAME A MEDIA HERO. LIBERALS THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO BRING WORLD-SHATTERING CHANGES TO THE CHURCH. CONSERVATIVES WERE AFRAID THAT WHEN HE GOT THROUGH, CATHOLICISM WOULD NO LONGER BE RECOGNIZABLE. NOW, ALMOST A YEAR LATER, WE ALL BEGIN TO SEE A MORE REALISTIC PICTURE – A MAN WHO IS DEVOTED TO THE POOR BUT FAITHFUL TO THE CHURCH; A MAN WHO LIVES WHAT HE PREACHES, AND SEEMS TO BE TOUGH ENOUGH TO MAKE SOME CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN DESPERATELY NEEDED.

OR CONSIDER OUR PRESIDENT. WHEN HE WAS ELECTED THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT ACTED AS THOUGH HE WAS THE SECOND MESSIAH. AND OF COURSE THERE CONTINUE TO BE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DECIDED THAT HE IS THE REINCARNATION OF KARL MARX OR JOSEPH STALIN. BUT MOST PEOPLE HAVE MOVED TO THE MIDDLE AND SEE A FLAWED HUMAN BEING WHO IS TRYING TO DO A JOB THAT PERHAPS NO ONE COULD DO WELL.

ALL OF US GO THROUGH LIVES WITH TWO SELVES. THERE IS THE SELF THAT EVERYONE SEES AND THAT LIVES IN OUR HEARTS AS WELL. DEPENDING ON WHO IS LOOKING AT IT, IT IS DIFFERENT. TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT SELF MIGHT BE A FOOL OR SOMEONE WORTH IMITATING AND LEARNING FROM. TO MYSELF, THE SELF IS THE IMAGE I HAVE OF WHO I AM – A DOCTOR OR A LAWYER; A HUSBAND, A FATHER, SOMEONE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR, SOMEONE WHO IS REACTING TO TRAGEDY. PROBABLY THE SELF THAT I SEE IS EVEN MORE DISTORTED THAN THE SELF OTHER PEOPLE SEE.

BUT REGARDLESS, FOR ALL OF US THERE IS A FALSE SELF. AND PART OF THE JOURNEY OF A CHRISTIAN IS TO DISCARD THE SELF THAT IS FALSE AND FIND THE SELF THAT IS TRUE, THE GENUINE SELF. AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WE DISCOVER WE DON'T EVEN MISS THE FALSE SELF.

TODAY, JESUS TELLS US SOMETHING ABOUT HIS TRUE SELF. HE IS TRANSFIGURED, HE APPEARS SPOTLESS AND BEAUTIFUL AND GLORIOUS, AND THE DISCIPLES CAN BARELY LOOK AT HIM. HE TRANSCENDS TIME AND SPACE, AND SPEAKS WITH THE GREATEST OF LAWGIVERS AND THE GREATEST OF PROPHETS; TIME AND SPACE DO NOT LIMIT HIM. AND HIS TRUE SELF IS RECOGNIZED BY GOD THE FATHER WHO PROCLAIMS HIM “BELOVED” AND TELLS ALL OF US TO LISTEN TO HIM. JESUS FROM NOW ON WILL SPEAK FOR THE FATHER, WHO NO LONGER SPEAKS TO US DIRECTLY. THE FATHER HAS SPOKEN HIS LAST WORDS WHEN HE SPEAKS THE SON, THE WORD MADE FLESH.

JESUS WILL CONQUER SIN AND DEATH, AND WHEN HE RISES FROM THE DEAD HIS APOSTLES WILL AGAIN SEE HIS TRUE SELF, THE SELF THAT HAS NO LIMITATIONS, THE SELF THAT CAN GIVE THE SPIRIT, THE SELF THAT PROMISES TO LIVE IN HIS CHURCH AND TO PREPARE A DWELLING PLACE IN HIS FATHER'S HOUSE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

AND HERE'S THE THING. AT THE TRANSFIGURATION, I THINK JESUS REVEALS NOT ONLY HIS TRUE SELF, BUT YOURS AND MINE. SOMETIMES WE ARE SO AWARE OF OUR SINS AND OUR LIMITATIONS THAT WE START TO THINK WE AREN'T WORTH VERY MUCH. SOME OF OUR THEOLOGY SEEMS TO SAY THAT WE ARE INSIGNIFICANT, WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT, WE DESERVE HELL, AND FOR REASONS THAT TOTALLY ESCAPE US, GOD HAS CHOSEN TO PULL US OUT OF THE MUD AND GIVE US ETERNAL LIFE AND ETERNAL HAPPINESS. BUT THINK ABOUT IT. JESUS WAS HUMAN LIKE YOU AND I, AND HE WAS HUMAN ON THE MOUNTAIN AS WELL. YOU CAN'T SEPARATE JESUS INTO A DIVINE PART AND A HUMAN PART; HE IS DIVINE AND HUMAN AT THE SAME TIME. THE APOSTLES DIDN'T GET A GLIMPSE OF THE SON OF GOD, THE SECOND PERSON OF THE TRINITY; THEY SAW THE HUMAN BEING JESUS AS HE REALLY WAS, THEY SAW HIS TRUE SELF. AND THAT TRUE SELF ISN'T VERY DIFFERENT FROM YOURS AND MINE.

WHEN SAINT FRANCIS KISSED THE LEPER, WHEN MOTHER THERESA CLEANED THE SORES AND COMFORTED THE DYING STREET PERSONS IN CALCUTTA; WHEN ST KATHERINE DREXEL SPENT HER FAMILY FORTUNE IN THE SERVICE OF FORMER SLAVES AND SUBJUGATED INDIANS – THEY SAW THE REAL SELVES OF THE PEOPLE THEY WERE SERVING. THAT'S A GIFT GOD GIVES HIS SAINTS. AND THEY SAW THE LEPER, THE BEGGARS, THE OPPRESSED PEOPLES AS THEY REALLY ARE – BELOVED OF GOD, SHINING WITH AN INNER LIGHT, HAVING WITHIN THEM SOMETHING WONDERFULLY LOVEABLE, SO MUCH SO THAT GOD IS MADLY IN LOVE WITH THEM. AND THE MORE YOU AND I BECOME OUR TRUE SELVES, THE MORE WE ARE TRANSFIGURED TO OUR OWN VISION, THE MORE WE SEE THE TRUE SELVES OF THOSE AROUND US.

THAT'S THE REAL REASON THE CHURCH OPPOSES ABORTION AND EUTHANASIA – WHAT IS BEING KILLED IS BELOVED OF GOD DESTINED FOR ETERNAL LIFE. THAT'S WHY THERE IS SOMETHING OF INFINITE VALUE IN THE PERSON WHO IS BEING CRIPPLED BY ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE OR THE CHILD BORN WITH SEVERE MENTAL RETARDATION. YOU MY NOT SEE IT, BUT ASK THE LOVING SON OF THE MOTHER WITH ALZHEIMERS, OR THE PARENTS THAT GAVE BIRTH TO THE CHILD, BECAUSE THEY HAVE GLIMPSED THE TRUE SELF.

OUR GOAL IS TO GROW OUT OF OUR FALSE SELVES AND BECOME THE SELVES THAT WE REALLY ARE, THE SELF THAT GOD SEES, THE SELF THAT IS VISIBLE TO THE SAINT. ON THE MOUNTAIN JESUS GAVE HIS APOSTLES A VISION OF THAT TRUE SELF. HE WANTS HIS FOLLOWERS TO HAVE A PICTURE, SO THAT THEY CAN WORK TOWARDS SEEING THEMSELVES AS THEY REALLY ARE – REFLECTIONS OF GOD HIMSELF. AND ODDLY ENOUGH, THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS IS TO SEE OTHERS AS THEY REALLY ARE. IT DOESN'T COME EASILY; WE SEE THE OTHERS FALSE SELF THROUGH OUR OWN FALSE VISION. WE COMPARE, WE MEASURE, WE ACCUSE, WE ARE UNFORGIVING, OR WORST OF ALL, WE IGNORE. BUT IF WE BEGIN BY LOOKING AT THE OTHER PERSON AS AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST, GRADUALLY WE BEGIN TO SEE HIS BEAUTY, HER GLORY – WE SEE THE OTHER PERSON AS TRANSFIGURED, AND WE HEAR GOD CALLING OUT, “THIS IS MY BELOVED”. AND WHEN WE TRULY RECOGNIZE THAT OUR NEIGHBOR IS GOD'S BELOVED, WE START TO SEE THAT WE ARE AS WELL. AND OUR FALSE SELF BEGINS TO WITHER AWAY – IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW SMART OR RICH OR ATHLETIC I AM. IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER WHETHER I PRAY MORE OR LIVE A BLAMELESS LIFE, BECAUSE THOSE ARE REACTIONS TO GOD'S LOVE, NOT THE CAUSE OF HIS LOVE. AND WHEN OUR FALSE SELF WITHERS AWAY OUR TRUE SELF WILL SHINE FORTH. IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES THOSE WHO HAVE WITHSTOOD THE TEST; THEIR GARMENTS WILL BE WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND MADE WHITE AS SNOW. MAY WE LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND BE BLINDED BY OUR TRUE SELVES.

First Sunday of Lent, cycle A

MATTHEW 4:1-11

IN THE FIRST READING WE HEARD THAT ANCIENT STORY OF WHEN OUR FIRST PARENTS WERE TEMPTED. WHAT WAS THEIR TEMPTATION? TO BE LIKE GOD. THOSE WERE THE WORDS OF THE SERPENT – IF YOU EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THAT TREE, YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD – THAT'S WHAT GOD IS AFRAID OF. AND WE KNOW THE REST – BEFORE THEY ATE THE FRUIT, IT SAYS THEY WERE NAKED AND NOT ASHAMED; BUT AFTERWARD, THEY COULDN'T WAIT TO COVER THEMSELVES UP. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS ORIGINAL SIN DOES TO US; IT CLOSES US OFF FROM EACH OTHER; EVEN FOR A HUSBAND AND WIFE IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO BE FULLY OPEN TO EACH OTHER. IN THE GOSPEL, PERHAPS THE TEMPTATION IS THE OPPOSITE. AT HIS BAPTISM AND PROBABLY LONG BEFORE, JESUS KNEW HE WAS THE SON OF GOD. AND NOW THE DEVIL COMES ALONG AND TEMPTS HIM; CAN YOU REALLY BE FULLY HUMAN? BECAUSE ONLY IF YOU ARE FULLY HUMAN AND SUFFER AND DIE CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO STILL SUFFER FROM THE SIN OF THE FIRST PARENTS.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT JESUS COULD EVER BE TEMPTED. AFTER ALL, HE IS GOD. BUT HE WAS HUMAN AS WELL, AND TO BE HUMAN MEANS THAT WE CAN BE TEMPTED. IT IS ROOTED IN HUMAN NATURE; BEING MADE OF FLESH AND BLOOD, WE ARE ALWAYS INCOMPLETE IN THIS LIFE; THERE ARE ALWAYS THINGS WE DESIRE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE ALREADY HAVE. IT MAY NOT BE MATERIAL THINGS; IT MIGHT BE POWER OR KNOWLEDGE OR LOVE; SOME OF US WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OUR YOUTH BACK; OTHERS WOULD ASK FOR GOOD HEALTH. BUT BEING HUMAN MEANS WE ARE NEVER QUITE WHERE WE WANT TO BE, AND IT IS IN THIS TENSION THAT TEMPTATION COMES.

40 DAYS BEFORE THIS GOSPEL PASSAGE, JESUS HAD BEEN BAPTIZED AND HAD HEARD THE FATHER'S VOICE, PROCLAIMING THAT HE WAS BELOVED. NOW, AT THE END OF HIS FAST, HE IS IN THE DESERT, HUNGRY AND TIRED; HE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN HIS MISSION. AND ITS INTERESTING THAT THE TEMPTATIONS OF SATAN ARE TO DO THINGS WHICH ARE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT JESUS WOULD DO DURING HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY. CAN HE TURN STONES INTO BREAD, AS SATAN TELLS HIM TO? WELL, HE MULTIPLIED BREAD, NOT TOO DIFFERENT. CAN HE LEAP OFF A TOWER AND LET GOD RESCUE HIM FROM CERTAIN DEATH? CAN HE DEMONSTRATE HIS DIVINITY BY DOING SPECTACULAR ACTS OF POWER? WELL, HE STILLED THE SEA, CURSED THE FIG TREE, RAISED DEAD PEOPLE – A LOT OF PUBLIC DEEDS WHICH CONVINCED PEOPLE WHO SAW THEM. AND HE NOT ONLY DEFIED DEATH, HE CONQUERED IT ON THE CROSS. AND WHAT ABOUT HAVING ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH SUBJECTED TO HIM? THAT PROCESS IS STILL GOING ON, BUT CERTAINLY THE REACH OF CHRISTIANITY IS WORLD – WIDE AND HAS GIVEN RISE NOT ONLY TO WESTERN CIVILIZATION BUT HAS AFFECTED MOST OTHER CIVILIZATIONS AS WELL.

SO IF JESUS EVENTUALLY DOES ALL THE THINGS HE WAS TEMPTED TO DO – EVEN MORE – WHAT WERE THE TEMPTATIONS? AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO YOU AND I.

MOST OF US HAVE HAD MOMENTS WHEN WE REALLY, REALLY WANTED GOD TO DO SOMETHING FOR US. SOMETHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THAT WAS TOTALLY OUT OF OUR CONTROL. SURELY, IF WE ARE “BELOVED” GOD WILL ANSWER OUR PRAYER. BUT JESUS WAS BELOVED, AND COULD HAVE CALLED ON HIS FATHER AT ANY TIME TO EASE HIS HUNGER. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER IN A SECOND, AND CERTAINLY TO TURN STONES INTO BREAD AND THEN FINALLY EAT WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE BEEN SINFUL. BUT JESUS KNOWS THAT THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER IS NOT TO GET WHAT YOU WANT, BUT FIRST OF ALL, TO DEVELOP YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. FOR HIM, AND IT SHOULD BE FOR US, THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT REASONS TO COMMUNICATE WITH GOD THAN ASKING HIM FOR STUFF. OUR PRAYER SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT JESUS' OWN WORDS: SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND ALL THE REST WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU.

AND I THINK WE'VE ALL HAD MOMENTS WHEN WE HAD A DIFFICULT TASK AHEAD, AND WOULD HAVE LIKED A SHORT CUT TO GET IT DONE. WE ALL HAVE THOSE MOMENTS WHEN WE DREAM OF BEING SUPERMAN OR WONDER WOMAN, WHERE WE OVERCOME THE LIMITATIONS OF OUR BODIES AND MINDS. I HAVE INTERESTING FANTASIES WHENEVER WE HAVE A MASSIVE SNOW STORM. MAYBE I SHOULD PUT HEATING COILS IN THE DRIVEWAY. MAYBE I SHOULD GO OUT AND BUY ONE OF THOSE HUGE SNOWBLOWERS THAT CAN THROW THE SNOW SO FAR THAT IT NEVER FALLS BACK ON THE DRIVEWAY. MAYBE MY GRANDCHILDREN WILL COME OVER AND DO THE WORK FOR ME; AFTER ALL, THEY ARE YOUNG AND HEALTHY AND I AM OLD. BUT SOMEHOW I ALWAYS END UP OUT THERE CLEARING MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY SHOVEL AND BUDGET SNOW BLOWER. IF JESUS HAD JUMPED OFF THE TEMPLE AND BEEN CAUGHT BY ANGELS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY DAY, HE WOULD NEVER HAVE TO ROUND UP TWELVE PEASANTS FROM GALILEE WHO NEVER QUITE SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND HIS MESSAGE. IF THE CITIZENS OF JERUSALEM HAD WATCHED THAT KIND OF MIRACLE, HE'D HAVE A TREMENDOUS JUMP START ON CONVERTING THE WORLD. BUT HE TEACHES US THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GO ABOUT CHANGING THE WORLD SO THAT GOD'S REIGN COMES IS BY WORKING WITH ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN DRIVING DOWN LONGMEADOW STREET DURING RUSH HOUR, CREEPING ALONG AT TWO OR THREE MILES AN HOUR? DON'T YOU WISH THERE WAS SOME LAW THAT KEPT OTHER PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS WHEN YOU WERE IN A HURRY? I'VE WISHED THAT. OR DON'T YOU SOMETIMES WISH YOU COULD BE IN CHARGE OF THIS COUNTRY OR OUR CHURCH FOR A WHILE, JUST YOU, SO THAT YOU COULD APPLY COMMON SENSE TO OUR PROBLEMS AND GET THEM ALL FIXED? I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT MUST FEEL THAT WAY BECAUSE THEY ARE ALWAYS TELLING ME WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. IF ONLY THEY COULD TELL THE PRESIDENT OR THE BISHOP THEIR IDEAS …

BUT JESUS DOESN'T GO FOR THAT SHORT CUT EITHER. THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS TO COME ON ITS' OWN TERMS AND IN ITS' OWN TIME. AND WE KNOW THE WAY IT HAS TO COME; EACH OF US HAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE KINGDOM IS REALIZED IN OURSELVES AND IN WHAT WE CAN CONTROL, WHICH IS VERY LITTLE. REMEMBER THE MAN WHO WENT AWAY SADDENED BECAUSE HE WAS VERY RICH AND HAD MANY POSSESSIONS? THAT WAS JESUS' CHALLENGE TO HIM – IF YOU'VE REALLY KEPT THE COMMANDMENTS, THEN YOU ARE IN THE KINGDOM, AND SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM CHOOSING BETWEEN JESUS AND YOUR POSSESSIONS.

JESUS PROVES BY HIS RESPONSES TO SATAN AND BY HIS REFUSAL TO TAKE SHORT CUTS THAT HE IS FULLY HUMAN; NOT JUST A GOD WEARING A MEAT COSTUME. AND HE PROVES THAT HE CAN OVERCOME TEMPTATION, THAT HE CAN WIN HIS STRUGGLES WITH EVIL. AND IF HE CAN DO IT, SO CAN WE.