Tag Archives: jesus-christ

Lent Day 46: The Crucified One is not here (or is he?)

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TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel reading for the Easter Vigil (Mark 16:1-7) gives us Mark’s version of the scene at Jesus’ tomb. An angel speaks to the women:

“You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here.” (v. 6)

“‘Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified’: the same name as written on the inscription of the cross is used by the angel to proclaim the glorious victory of the resurrection. In this way St Mark bears witness explicitly to the crucified man and the resurrected man being one and the same. Jesus’ body, which was treated so cruelly, now has immortal life.

“‘He has risen: the glorious resurrection of Jesus is the central mystery of our faith. ‘If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain (1 Cor 15:14). It is also the basis of our hope: ‘if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins…. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied’ (1 Cor 15:17 and 19). The Resurrection means that Jesus has overcome death, sin, pain and the power of the devil.” (The Navarre Bible: St Mark, 197)

Catholics are sometimes accused of keeping Christ on the cross because of our displaying crucifixes. I’ve never had a problem explaining the veneration of the crucifix using the apostle Paul’s words:

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2)

It seems to me a good thing to remember the brutality and ignominy Christ endured for my sake and the sake of all mankind from Adam till the end of time. Our sins do incalculable damage to the Body of Christ. It also helps us to realize that Jesus understands our suffering because He has been there.

But we also know now that suffering and death do not have the final word. Yes, there is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. But for those faithful till the end, no amount of troubles in this life will compare to the glory the Lord won for us for the next life.

So, keep the faith. The Crucified One actually is here — and He retains the scars to prove it.

ARTICLE

An article I came across regarding Holy Saturday. The first two points are of most interest to me because they speak of what Jesus did on that first Holy Saturday when His Body was sealed in the tomb.

A FINAL NOTE

Holy Saturday is a good day to keep noise and talking to a minimum, it seems to me. Recall the silence of the tomb. I am looking forward to reading The Power of Silence which undoubtedly will be a good corrective for our noisy lives.

The Holy Women at the Tomb (1890) by William Bouguereau

God bless.

Lent Day 2: Cross-bearers

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TODAY’S READINGS

From Luke’s Gospel (Lk 9:22-25) we read the familiar utterance of Jesus to those who are paying attention:

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (v. 23)

“There is no doubt about it: a person who loves pleasure, who seeks comfort, who flies from anything that might spell suffering, who is over-anxious, who complains, who blames and who become impatient at the least little thing which does not go his way — a person like that is Christian only in name; he is only a dishonour to his religion, for Jesus Christ has said so…” (St John Mary Vianney, Selected Sermons, Ash Wednesday) (The Navarre Bible: St Luke, 124-125)

“Conversion is accomplished in daily life by gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right, by the admission of faults to one’s brethren, fraternal correction, revision of life, examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering, endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness. Taking up one’s cross each day and following Jesus is the surest way of penance.” (CCC 1435)

“In the first century, to take up a cross meant one was on the way to crucifixion and hence in the final hours of one’s life. To take up a cross daily can mean to live each day as if it is one’s last, focusing on the most important thing to do in one’s remaining hours: unite oneself with Jesus as his follower.” (Bringing the Gospel of Luke to Life, 261)

We hear this verse often quoted, but do you ever really stop to think about its practical implications? Consider the quote directly above. Living each day as if it was one’s last (and one day it will be!) surely would make us measure every thought, word, and action very carefully. And, if followed faithfully, would make us initially consider our entire lives and what penance and reparation would be required for past faults against God and others. I need to get busy.

And get a load of the list from the Catechism of challenges that lead to conversion! Admission of faults, fraternal correction, acceptance of suffering, endurance of persecution, and on and on. A tall order. Being a disciple of Jesus is no mean feat. The Lord is a demanding God, teacher, brother, and friend. Am i up to it?

Last but not least, the first excerpt, from The Navarre Bible was especially hard hitting for me; I see many of my habitual shortcomings in that list. A CINO (Christian In Name Only), a dishonor to Catholicism? I don’t like the sound of that. So what am I going to do about it? I have much to consider, to pray about, to change.

NEW BOOK!

I was very excited to receive on Tuesday, the day it was released, Wisdom of Solomon by Mark Giszczak. I have been waiting for a few years now, hoping that the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series, which had completed its entire New Testament set of books, would expand to the Old Testament. Well, it’s finally here! Diving in will have to wait till after Easter — I can’t wait!

REMINDER

My daily ten-minute Eucharist for Lent vidcasts continue today with a breaking open of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

A FINAL NOTE

The superb Opening the Scriptures series from Our Sunday Visitor includes the Bringing the Gospel of Luke commentary quoted above. Note that they have both this volume and the entry on Matthew available for $10 (just click on the link after the quote). A wise buy if you can swing it.

God bless.

Christmas Day 11: What are you looking for?

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TODAY’S READINGS

The Gospel reading is from Jn 1:35-42. Jesus begins to accumulate followers, the first ones at the prompting of John (he must decrease and Christ must increase). Jesus asks a question and the new apostles ask a question. Both are worth thoughtful consideration.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
“What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher),
“where are you staying?”
He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day. (vv. 38-39)

“[I]t is not merely natural curiosity but Christ’s personalty which attracts them. They want to get to know him, to be taught by him, to enjoy his company. ’Come and see’ (1:39; cf. 11:34) — a tender invitation to begin that intimate friendship they were seeking. Time and personal; contact with Christ will be needed to make them more secure in their vocation…

“Christian faith can never be just a matter of intellectual curiosity; it affects one’s whole life: a person cannot understand it unless he really lives it; therefore, our Lord does not at this point tell them in detail about his way of life; he invites them to spend the day with him…what God is (in himself or in grace) can only be understood through experience…” (The Navarre Bible: St John, 55)

“The two disciples of John respond to Jesus’ invitation, setting an example for all whom Jesus will invite to himself…[T]he word for ‘stay’ can also be translated ‘remain’ or ‘abide’ expressing an intimate and lasting personal relationship (see 1:32-33; 6:56; 15:4-7). The disciples ‘stayed with him that day’ as the first step in their becoming united with him, remaining in him and in his love (see 15:9-10).” (Bringing the Gospel of John to Life, 33)

It seems to me that it is always helpful to answer any of Jesus’ questions ourselves. So, “What are you looking for?” What first comes to mind? A (better) job? A new car? Peace in the family? Healing? All good things. All passing things. By looking for Jesus and looking to do His will, we seek a solid foundation for our lives not only in this life, but in the life to come. Consider Jesus words elsewhere in the Gospels:

There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her. (Lk 10:42)

“Only one thing,” and the rest falls into place. John, in today’s Gospel, encourages the same of his disciples. Surely, he anticipated St. Augustine’s famous line from the first page of his Confessions:

You move us to delight in praising You; for You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.

As for asking Jesus, “Where are you staying?”, hopefully the first answer is “In my heart.” But it should prompt us to visit Him, really present, in the Blessed Sacrament, even if just for a few moments. What a tremendous privilege of which so few of us take advantage.

Not the same, but here is a live adoration site that I particularly love. Another, closer to (my) home in a church I have visited.

ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON (1774-1821)

The first American-born canonized saint. A wonderful and inspiring story of a woman who truly embraced the universal call to holiness.

I am reminded of my friend, Sr. Elizabeth Ann Brady, who I used to visit in the 1990’s and early 2000’s at a retirement home for religious. She had been an elementary school teacher for some seventy years. One of the kindest and most joyous persons one could hope to meet. She died at 97 almost twenty years ago to the day. I would bet she is hanging out with the other Elizabeth Ann as I type, but I still pray for my friend often.

God bless.

The Calling of Saint John and Saint Andrew (1886-1894) by James Tissot