Faith

Let go and let God – Saturday, 8th Week in ordinary time – Mark 11:27-33

Even though we have just stepped out of the Easter season, the Gospel texts of the 8th and 9th week in ordinary time take us back to Holy Week and the events that took place in the temple of Jerusalem.

Jesus has entered the temple and cleansed it. By the end of Palm Sunday, he makes his way to Bethany and the following day curses the fig tree. (read https://www.pottypadre.com/hangry-friday-8th-week-in-ordinary-time-mark-11-11-26/). He then cleanses the temple calling those who run their business there, ‘robbers.’ While the chief priests and the scribes wanted to ‘kill him’ they had to restrain themselves because the ‘whole crowd was spell bound by his teachings.’ (Mark 11:18)

It is Tuesday of Holy Week and Jesus is back in the temple. This time he is confronted not just by the chief priests and the scribes but for good measure they have also brought the elders as back up. This is a clearly a showdown for they accost Our Lord as he enters the temple. There was no chit chat or greeting just two direct questions; “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?” I have addressed this entire debate in a previous article and I suggest you read it by clicking this link. https://www.pottypadre.com/checkmate/

The last prophetic voice before John the Baptist was four hundred years ago. In this time rose several religiously oriented groups who bandied their interpretation of the Jewish faith which could be well described as more traditions and less God. As religious groups, they began well focusing on God. In time they lost the plot if not the way.

In the Gospel of Matthew 5:21-48, Jesus takes on these interpretations of the law when six times he says, “you have heard it said…but I say to you.” Now, that authority they had, seems to be slipping from their hands with Jesus confronting them all through his pastoral ministry and even more now when he is on their home ground; the temple of Jerusalem. The Jewish religious authorities could feel the sand shifting under their feet for scripture tells us that “the whole crowd was spell bound by his teaching.”

Jealousy and the lust for power are dangerous in the hands of those who crave for it. A person who feels the loss of power will stop at nothing, conveniently even using God to justify why Jesus should be put to death. Remember it was the chief priest who sanctioned the death of Jesus by saying, “it is better that one man die for the nation.” Caiaphas was not concerned about the nation; he was concerned about retaining his post as chief priest; a post that had to have the approval of the Romans and for this he compromised every value sanctioning even he death of the Messiah

It is important that we learn to let go and let God. I have commented several times on this matter advocating vociferously for members of the clergy and laity to step down from posts when they know that they ought to. Clinging on to a seat of authority in the church make us no different than the politicians we abhor. Pope Benedict XVI showed the way; for authority is not given to us to rule and dominate but to serve. If you know you have done your time, step away! Do not cling to the illusion that the Church or any of the ministries that you serve as members of the laity or of the clergy will collapse without you. The reality is that they may be collapsing because of you!

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Hangry? – Friday, 8th Week in ordinary time – Mark 11: 11-26

I have written a more detailed reflection based on the cleansing of the temple. You can source the same by clicking the link https://www.pottypadre.com/high-drama-in-the-temple/

Let us first situate the text in its context. Jesus has entered Jerusalem in Mark 11:1-10. He enters the temple, looks around at everything and realises that it is very late. Scripture does not elaborate what Jesus was looking for or why he decided to leave for Bethany. It simply tells us that he observes and decides for some reason not to speak or perform any act.

The next morning (Monday of Holy Week) he and his disciples pass a fig tree in leaf. Right away we need to understand that the first century reader, when reading this text, would have identified the nation of Israel as the fig tree; Israel had often been symbolised as a fig tree in Scripture; Isaiah 34:4, Jeremiah 24:1-8, Hosea 9:10, Luke 13:6-9.” So, what transpires next, is not Jesus throwing a star tantrum but Him making a point to Israel.

Yet, scripture also tells us that while the tree was in leaf, Jesus, ongoing to see if he would find anything (figs) found nothing but leaves. Scripture is also quick to tell us that it was not fig season. This makes the next words of Jesus even more puzzling for he says, “may no one ever eat fruit from you again.” We are also told in the same passage that twenty-four hours later, while passing this tree, Peter notices that it was withered away to its roots. So how do we explain this? How can the Lord expect fruit when clearly it was not the season for the fig tree to bear any fruit?

Remember that Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Passover. It is now late spring. At this point of time most fig trees have not developed mature fruit. Author Fred T Wright, in his book, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, says this about fig trees. “The normal habit of the Palestinian fig tree is that fruit begins to form on the fig tree as soon as leaves appear. Leaves and fruit also disappear together. This particular tree draws Jesus’s attention because it already has a full covering of leaves. It’s an early bloomer. Its foliage signals that it should have early figs yet it had nothing.

This fig tree is a classic example of most advertisements; much hype and no substance. The fact that the leaves were out was a clear indication that fruit should have been on the tree; even if the fruit was not mature. Jesus is not simply angry because he was hungry; he was angry because this fig tree represented the nation of Israel. Israel had leaves and no fruit; in fact, scripture tells us that Our Lord found not one fruit. Israel had become a nation that had faked its fruitfulness with just leaves. Even more, Jesus comes to Jerusalem to celebrate the Paschal festivities, but finds the city and its leaders sterile, unable to welcome him; they who profess to desire him.

Today, Jesus is challenging us to bear fruit, and not just live in  the nostalgic and glorious past where we once loved him, when we once bore fruit for him.

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Feast – Our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest. – John 17:1-2,9,14-26

It’s not often in one week that we celebrate two new feasts, both which were added recently to the liturgical calendar. Yet, that is what we see this week; the first week after Pentecost. On Monday, we celebrated the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and today, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest.

Approval for this feast was first granted by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 1987. We celebrate this feast following Pentecost, as we can’t but become more Christ-like unless we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Holy Spirit directly inspires us to nurture the character of Christ, deep within us all.

Today’s feast focuses on Jesus’ Priestly Office (Latin: Munus sacerdotale). Jesus is the model for believers, and for the clergy in particular, with priests acting in persona Christi (“In the person of Christ”). Catholic population since 1970 has doubled, while the number of priests has remained much the same. Today would be a good day to pray for us your priests. Pray that we may be more like Christ, the compassionate and trustworthy high priest (Hebrews 2:17), interceding for humanity before The Father (Hebrews 7:25).

It was God who instituted the role of priesthood. He had Aaron, the brother of Moses, anointed a priest. Abraham’s great-grandson Levi was singled out by God to be the father of the priestly tribe. When the Law was given on Mount Sinai, the Levites were identified as the servants of the Tabernacle, with the family of Aaron becoming the priests. The priests were responsible for making intercession to God for the people by offering the many sacrifices that the law required. Among the priests, one was selected as the High Priest, and he entered into the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to place the blood of the sacrifice on the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 9:7). By these daily and yearly sacrifices, the sins of the people were temporarily covered until the Messiah came to take away their sins.

Yet, today is not only about the ordained ministers. All of us, by virtue of our Baptism have been made priests. Technically, there is only one priest, our great High Priest, Jesus Christ Himself. He is the mediator between God and humanity. It is in His priesthood that we are called to be a part of.

Back in the Old Testament, priests were tasked to make intercessions to God on behalf of the people by offering sacrifices prescribed by the law. St Paul commented in his Letter to the Hebrews (10:11), that these repeatedly offered sacrifices can never take away sins. When Christ came and offered Himself on the cross, He “offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins…”For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12,14). Jesus is the Victim that is offered, for on Calvary the offering He made was of Himself for the salvation of the world. That Victimhood we too share by offering up ourselves and all that goes into our daily life.

Today, once again, let us not forget that all of us, through our Baptism and Confirmation, share in the priesthood of Christ. I, through the Sacrament of Ordination, have a greater sharing in Christ’s priesthood. And bishops have a greater sharing than we priests do. Let us be thankful to Jesus who gives us this wonderful privilege. May we make ourselves us worthy as we can for this office that we have been called to share in.

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What about him? Saturday, 7th Week of Easter – Acts 28:16-20,30/ John 21:20-25

Also read https://www.pottypadre.com/one-last-time/ based on the first reading

The Gospel of John and the Easter season draws to a close (yes tomorrow is Pentecost) on a very human note and one that brings us all consolation. Here is Peter, here is the one whom Jesus has given the keys of the kingdom. This is our first Pope and he has flaws till the bitter end! The spiritual life, as I have said many times, is not a moment but a journey and while the Gospel draws to an end, the learning for Peter has not.

Jesus has asked Peter three times if he loves him. Peter is rattled by the repetition of his question and yet Jesus did so not with the intention of publicly reprimanding him but rather publicly restoring his place among the apostles; a place and post that was brought into question by Peter’s triple denial of Christ at this trial.

Our Lord then went on to tell Peter the manner of his death. We know from St Jerome that Peter was crucified under Nero and at his request was crucified upside down as he felt he was not worthy of dying in like manner as his master did. After this Jesus said to Peter, “follow me;” words that were used at the start of this Gospel when calling the apostles. Now Peter is reminded of his calling and his promise to love Jesus even in death.

St John captures the next few verses very beautifully and if one did not know better it even betrays a one up-manship between Peter the Pope and John the beloved disciple. John records that immediately on being told of how he would die, Peter looks around the room for John. If he was to die for the Lord then what about John the beloved? Should he also not suffer for Jesus?

“What about him?” seems to be Peter’s immediate reaction. That is the reaction of all of us when we are challenged by the weight of the cross. ‘If we are shouldering your cross Lord, if you chose us to take the place of Simon of Cyrene then what about my brother or sister?’ ‘Will they too be given some burden? Will it be only me that has to die for you?’

Jesus is emphatic, “What about them?” Why should my decision for anyone be your concern?’ If you love me Peter, as you did admit it thrice, why be bothered about what I do for others or what I demand from you? What is that to you?’

Now for the second time in a matter of two verses, Jesus tells Peter, “Follow me.” Following Jesus is not looking at the other followers of Jesus. Following Jesus is to be single minded to his calling. So often we want to the Lord to level the playing field but following Christ is not a game but a goal. The path to that goal is not the same. While Peter witnessed to the Lord by his martyrdom, John would witness to Christ in exile on the island at Patmos. While Peter would be known as the first Pope, John would be known as the beloved. The call to be a disciple is not painted in uniformity but lived and experienced in diversity.

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More than words – Friday, 7th Week of Easter – Acts 25:13b-21/John 21:15-19

Read also https://www.pottypadre.com/captive-for-christ/ based on the first reading of today taken from the Acts of the Apostles.

The lectionary, in a run up to Pentecost, picks up the narrative that we left at Easter. The disciples in the gospel of John, seven of them, (see John 21: 1) have decided to go fishing prompted by their leader, Peter. His actions follow a typical human pattern; an intense spiritual experience soon fades, and one returns to the same things he or she has always done. While verses 1-15 were studied and reflected upon in the Easter octave, verse 16 onwards rounds the narrative.

It is here on the shores of Galilee, that Jesus works one last miracle for his despondent disciples. They who could catch nothing the whole night long now encounter the risen Christ in the form of ‘someone’ who gives these seasoned fishermen a tip on fishing. That tip paid off and they hauled in 153 fish.

It is interesting to see that the Gospel of John began with a miracle at the wedding in Canna and ends with a miracle on the shores of Galilee. 160 gallons of wine and 153 very large fish. Jesus never stops loving and giving. What he did while alive he continues to do after his resurrection.

Now, seated around a charcoal fire, eating breakfast with Jesus, it was time to address another matter that had been unsettled a few days earlier around another charcoal fire. It was on Maundy Thursday, in the house of the high priest, around a charcoal fire that Peter had denied the Lord three times.

This must have been an awkward moment. Our Lord asks Peter the same question thrice, “do you love me?” and thrice Peter will say, Yes Lord, I love you.” Jesus had already met with Peter individually on the day of His resurrection (Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5). We can only wonder what Jesus and Peter talked about at that first meeting. Nevertheless, it was still important for Jesus to restore Peter in the presence of the other disciples. Jesus didn’t ask Peter, “Are you sorry?” nor “Will you promise never to do that again?” Jesus challenged Peter to love.

It is interesting to note that Jesus addresses Peter as ‘Simon’. Perhaps Jesus was making a point to the first Pope, a subtle reminder that he had not stood as a rock in faithfulness to Jesus. It was the boast of Peter (13:37) that he would lay down his life for Christ; this was his boast of love and yet when the time came, Peter failed the Lord. Predictably, there are no words of chastisement for Peter. The Lord has but as simple yet loaded question, “do you love me?” Peter’s heart is now under examination.

It is interesting to note that Jesus does not ask us, do you love your Archbishop or the Church or the priest or your spouse or your children? He asks Peter and he asks us, “do you love ME.” The love for Christ sets everything right and all things are then ordered to his will. Without our devoted love for Christ, the rest stands empty and hollow.

Peters’ confession, “Yes Lord, I love you,” cannot just be a matter of words but must be seen in action. The words of Christ to his Church are clear; ‘if you love me feed my sheep, tend to my lambs.’ To the billion Christians in the world, the message on the eve of Pentecost is clear, IF you love Christ then work for the sheep and the lambs. The love of God is seen in our work not just in our words. But even more, those we tend to are not ours but HIS. Jesus says to Peter, “feed MY sheep.”

I have said this so often to myself, that when a pastor is appointed to a parish or a congregation, what ought to weigh heavily on his shoulders is that he is but a shepherd to the Lord’s flock. This is not a post of honour but service. On him weighs the burden of the souls of his parishioners. It is for him to feed and tend these lambs and sheep and not slaughter and eat.

There is so much to reflect in this text for priest and people…choose one

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