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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

We are to be consecrated in truth.

Readings: Acts 20:28-38 Psalm 88:29-30, 33-36 John 17:11b-19

Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they may also be consecrated in truth. [John 17:18-19]

Read the Gospel very slowly and if possible, out loud and if necessary, three times! Although John’s literary style is quite complex, the farewell prayer of Jesus is as powerful as is Paul’s farewell message in Acts.

It is not likely that these passages are the actual words of Paul and Jesus. They are compositions that Luke and John or whoever wrote in their name and are based on the oral tradition of the sayings of Jesus and the preaching of Paul. They were written in the style of farewell addresses of prominent leaders of their times in order to win the attention of early believers to whom the message of truth was entrusted.

The ‘truth’ that is being proclaimed is not from a catechism nor is it a defined doctrine or dogma. It is the core truth about the God who spoke through the prophets and then through Jesus about the universality of God’s love.

During this time of immediate preparation for Pentecost, we are invited to think about our own responsibility to pass on the ‘truth’ of God’s goodness entrusted to us in Christ and how we are to live that truth in our daily lives, each in our own unique way. No one of us can do this alone and so we much join hands literally and figuratively within the community of believers everywhere.

To live the ‘truth’ is to live in the Spirit of Jesus Christ the fruits of which are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, moderation, self-control, reverence, etc. I’m sure you memorized these ‘fruits of the Holy Spirit.’

These are the true ‘marks’ of our authenticity as believers.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 'B'

Saturday February 11, 2012

Quarantined from God?

On the front door hung a small poster with red lettering: “Quarantined.” I was in third grade and down with the 21 day Measles. It was a particularly bad case and I lost three weeks of school. Being the youngest in the class and a slow learner, I don’t think I ever caught up — even to this day!

From my quarantined zone, I watched my friends at play in the street. I had to keep my distance and they were not permitted to enter the contaminated zone that had become an invisible shield and a moat around our home.

It’s not really a terrible memory and I suffered no long-range psychological damage — of which I am aware. You may have come to a different conclusion.

Times have changed and so too progress in medicine and medical treatment making quarantine zones less necessary. Thank God for antibiotics! However, viruses and bacteria have also multiplied and they do not discriminate between young and old, rich or poor, educated and uneducated and whatever one’s sexual orientation. The sign at the entrance to the hospital still reads: “If you have a virus or are experiencing any strain of the flu, please do not visit patients lest you subject their immune system to further compromise.”

The Book of Leviticus describes for us this weekend how people in biblical times dealt with the fears, taboos and dangers surrounding contagious diseases. The Levitical regulations represented the codified wisdom and customs of many generations. The diseases themselves were considered a sign not only of physical contagion but also of spiritual impurity. Victims of skin disorders like Leprosy were barred from the community not only because of contagion but also because of spiritual defilement. That is the reason why those who claimed a cure had to present themselves to the priest for a rite of purification.

This is the context in which Mark describes Jesus’ encounter with the leper. It is likely that the disease was not what we recognize as Hansen’s disease, but whatever its nature, it was considered a curse from God. The victim was ostracized — we know all the epithets that were hurled at them and the alert that victims of the illness were to sound as people came near, “Unclean, unclean!”

Not only did Jesus enter the contaminated zone, but he also touched the leper, lifting the curse that isolated the man from everyone and even alienated him from his very self.

Mind you, the entire Gospel of Mark is a proclamation and a proof of Jesus messianic role and of his relationship with God as “Son of God.” Already in the first sentence of the first chapter of Mark’s gospel we read: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the ‘Son of God.’” And later in the same chapter at the baptism of Jesus, “And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved…’” and in chapter 15, verse 39: “Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s son!’”

So according to Mark, this is the way God’s son acts. He enters contaminated zones, heals infectious diseases, casts out demons and forgives sins. This last observation is very important in Mark’s gospel and suggests to us that Jesus’ mission is not only about physical healing but also about the healing of the soul — the hidden self, the naked self, the sinner that exists in all of us. In chapter seven verse fourteen we read Jesus’ words: “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: it is not what passes through the mouth of a person that can defile, but the things that come out of the mouth are what defiles” because they originate in the heart. In other words, the disease of the soul is what truly defiles humanity. “Fear not those who can destroy the body. Rather fear those who can kill the soul casting it into Gehenna.”

In a world contaminated by hatred, disciples of Christ are challenged as never before to respond to evil with courage but to the contrite sinner with mercy and compassion.

The real question in today’s world is how to balance justice and mercy? How do we balance the harsh judgment of Jesus against evil with his mercy and compassion for the sinner? The words of the psalmist come quickly to mind, “Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss.” [Psalm 85:11]

Forbidden zones must be entered to heal those who suffer discrimination whatever the cause be it sin or the ‘accidents’ of birth. Let those who are without sin cast the first stone. Political and religious boundaries must be crossed to speak with those whose opinions are furthest from ours. Name-calling is out of bounds and demonizing one’s opponents only demonstrates how little substance there is in the protagonist. It is one thing not to compromise on essentials and quite another to be an uncompromising person.

There is no duct tape or plastic shield as secure as the strength that comes from our complete surrender to God and conformity to the rule of love rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Indeed, the powerless know wherein lay their strength.

“Grant, O God, your protection; and in your protection, strength; and in strength, understanding; and in understanding, knowledge; and in knowledge, justice; and in justice, mercy and compassion and in that knowledge the love that comes from you, the source of all goodness and life.” [Adapted from an anonymous prayer from ‘The Complete Book of Christian Prayer,’ Continuum Publishing Company, NY, 1995]