How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?”
Today's gospel "belongs" to the catechist, one who teaches believers what they believe. They have heard the proclamation. They have found faith in the Lord Jesus. But they have not yet found their place within the great plan which we call "Salvation History." They have a little knowledge, which is "a dangerous thing." They need to learn the scope of what they have yet to learn, "beginning with Moses and all the prophets."
Our faith has prehistoric roots, especially if you consider the beginning of history as the moment when written documents -- clay tablets and papyrus -- appeared. The Hebrews passed their stories from generation to generation over many hundred years before they were recorded in any permanent form. The Holy Spirit preserved their vitality and integrity in the form of songs, proverbs, laws and customs with food, clothing and dance as grandparents taught their grandchildren the faith of Abraham.
Today's gospel describes that astonishing moment when everything the disciples had ever known had to be completely reinterpreted in the light of things "that have taken place (in Jerusalem) in these days."
Until that time they thought they knew Moses and the prophets. They could tell stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, David and Bathsheba and Solomon. They knew in their bones what those stories meant.
Suddenly, it seemed, they knew nothing.
They had been following "Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people." They thought they knew what prophecy meant although the voice of prophecy had gone silent for several hundred years. But, perhaps in answer to their prayers, God had found his voice again and two prophets had appeared, John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth.
But now both prophets were dead. One man had disappeared in the darkness of Herod's dungeon; the other had been savagely executed by a city gone insane. They considered themselves lucky to be alive as they left Jerusalem on the second "morning after." (We can suppose the turbulent city was too dangerous even to attempt escape on the first morning.)
Today's gospel tells us what happened next. The Risen Lord came to them and explained what had happened, "beginning with Moses and the prophets."
Our new converts of 2019, gathered with their catechists, also have work to do as they reflect on their lives and how they will live with their new faith.
I mentioned in conversation recently the tragic American experiment, Prohibition, and a jesting colleague asked if I remembered that era.
"Of course, I do!" I said. "How could I forget Prohibition when we still have five hundred dry counties and municipalities" in the United States? I remember Prohibition and the Civil War and the Black Plague and the day Jesus died!"
Because we know the Risen Lord we know our place in history and geography. Just as the disciples knew what to do after Jesus' catechesis, we know the Spirit has sent us to this time and place to announce the Gospel. But, as any catechist will tell you, we still have much to learn.
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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.