In conclusion, just as
through one transgression
condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous.
condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous.
On the first Sunday of Lent several years ago, I retold the
story of Jesus’ conversation with Satan; and, exercising the prerogatives of
any preacher, put my own slant on it. I imagined Jesus welcoming the Tempter as
a familiar rival, neither hostile nor unfriendly. After forty days and forty
nights in solitude he might be glad of a little company, even that of Satan.
But when the Liar urged him to turn rocks to stone, Jesus gazed
upon him with frank astonishment, “You want me to break my teeth on rocks?”
The Lord is nothing if not a realist. He loves reality and
is committed to it because Truth is Reality. No one sees the Truth as clearly
as Jesus. His grasp of things as they are is not befogged, bedimmed or bedazzled
by his own fears, desires or preferences.
No man can turn rocks into bread by simply wishing it. “Don’t
be ridiculous!” he might have said to Satan.
The day after my Sunday sermon an old man asked me, “If Jesus
is God, can’t he turn rocks into bread if he wants to?”
I wasn’t exactly stumped but the answer suddenly came to me.
“He cannot do it because he is obedient to God. I could get in the car right
now, with credit card in hand, and drive to California. But I can’t do it because
I have to say Mass this morning. Jesus is always obedient
to God His Father. He cannot do any silly thing someone suggests to him. He can
only do God’s will.”
Saint Paul saw Jesus’ submission clearly. His was the “one
righteous act” that gave “acquittal and life to all.” Why it had to entail the doomed
pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the arrest, trial, torture, mockery and crucifixion
did not trouble Jesus or Paul.
If we require an explanation for the “over the top” manner
of Jesus’ obedience – Would a simple ritual like the slaughter of an ox not
suffice? -- it was to show a skeptical humanity how far the Lord will go for
our salvation. His obedience and his willingness and his love for God and
humankind and all creation are beyond measure. He sheds the last drop of
his blood, water and spirit for us.
His obedience uproots and casts into the sea the mountain of all human evil which is born of our disobedience. Even Herod’s slaughter of the innocents is transformed by Jesus to something mysteriously blessed, though the wicked king has certainly found his particular pit in Hell.
His obedience uproots and casts into the sea the mountain of all human evil which is born of our disobedience. Even Herod’s slaughter of the innocents is transformed by Jesus to something mysteriously blessed, though the wicked king has certainly found his particular pit in Hell.
As we enter the Season of Lent we pray that God will give us
that same compliant, obedient, eager willingness. We want to inhale the spirit
of the season and do penance with Jesus for all our sins.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.