Fourth Sunday in Lent 'C'

Sunday March 18, 2007

O Felix Culpa

Shortly after the blessing of the Easter candle during the Easter Vigil Service, the priest presider or the assisting deacon will chant the solemn ‘Exultet,’ an Easter Canticle dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century. It is a hymn comprised of a series of exclamatory words and phrases accompanied by an ancient Gregorian Chant.

Approximately two thirds of the way through the hymn, the cantor cries out, “O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam which gained for us so great a Redeemer!”

The words seem so contrary to our understanding of the horror of sin. How can there be such a thing as a “happy sin?”

Of course, the words are hyperbole — not in praise of sin but in praise of the God who accepted sin as an occasion for mercy and redemption. It is at the heart of the mystery of the incarnation and of our acceptance of Jesus as Messiah and Redeemer.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, St Paul sums up his understanding of the mystery of the incarnation: “Sisters and brothers: whoever is in Christ is a new creation…. and all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ….” This theme runs through most of Paul’s letters and is the basis for the Catholic doctrine on justification. It differs from the traditional Protestant teaching in that redemption does not cover up sin but expunges it and justifies us from the inside out. In essence, we are restored to what Matthew Fox calls “original blessing,” that is, to the status of Adam and Eve before the fall. This is consistent with the biblical theology rooted in the book of Genesis — God created all things and saw that they were good!

Paul continues: “For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” This is a powerful testimony of Paul to the incredible power of God’s love and God’s desire to be one with all humanity. It is our destiny to become one with God in Christ. This is the meaning of “atonement,” which is to say “at-one-ment” with God through Christ.

This surely makes sense if we place it within the context of the love of parents for their children especially when they are struck with illness. I have heard many a mother or father say, “I would rather be ill myself than see my child so sick — yes, even to the risk of death.” In other words, loving parents are willing to absorb the pain of their children. What is true of physical illness is also true of moral failure. When the kids get into trouble, parents are willing to take on the pain and punishment.

St. Paul is stating nothing more or less than what loving parents would do for their children; so too our loving God.

But the story that discloses the mystery of redemption in a way that is beyond human explanation is the story of the Prodigal Son, which of course should be re-titled, “The Prodigal Father.”

It’s a story that is all too familiar and therefore easy to put aside after the first sentence. We’ve heard it all and can assume all too readily that we have exhausted its meaning. Not so. The parables are like a seascape or a view of life from a mountaintop. Depending on our mood and the rhythm of life, the ocean speaks a different message and the mountains tell a different story.

The younger son was entitled to a third of the father’s wealth; the elder son, the remaining two-thirds. The younger was bored with life at home and his request for his share of the inheritance was not very different from telling his father to “drop dead!” The father must have been hurt but he didn’t allow the motivation of his son to stand in his way. You and I would surely have some reservations about his decision. Where was his wife who surely would have provided the wisdom lacking in the young man’s choice and in the father’s concession?

Notice that it was hunger rather than remorse that moved the younger son to return to his father’s house as a servant. But the father anticipated his change of heart and didn’t care about his motivation. He clothed his son with royalty symbolized by the robe and the ring. He put sandals on his feet — slaves do not wear sandals. It was as if he gave his younger son power of attorney!

In the conclusion of Paul’s letter, he challenges us to be what God is and to do what Jesus did:

“So, we are ambassadors for Christ, God as it were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” even to the extent that we would absorb the pain of our children’s struggle and our neighbors pain so that all might be reconciled in Christ.

The Easter Hymn continues:

“Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth and humanity is reconciled with God!

Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this light, receive our evening sacrifice of praise, your Church’s solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glow to the honor of God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night.

May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning; Christ, that Morning Star, who who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.”

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