Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
In his last book, An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent, Saint John Henry Newman, reminded his English contemporaries of the savage martyrdom of thousands of early Christians. These killings happened in many different parts of the Roman Empire. Few of his contemporaries could imagine such a sacrifice, though their Catholic neighbors next door struggled to keep the faith in a hostile environment.
Only a few years after publication of his book, the Ugandan Martyrs suffered the same barbaric deaths in Africa. Every age is violent; and the Church always suffers martyrdom somewhere. Two Conventual Franciscan friars, my age mates, died in Peru in the 1991; and I well remember the disappearance and death of Father Casimir Cypher in 1975. Today it is in North Africa and the Near East.
As Jesus said, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force."
Despite its horror, the killing of Catholics and Christians assures us that the Holy Spirit still moves in our world. Should the ostracism, persecution, and executions stop altogether, we might safely suppose Christians have lost the Spirit of Jesus. We will have at last made our peace with the world; and do not represent the challenging Presence of God anymore.
In our first reading today, Saint John assures us, the victor over the world believes that Jesus is the Son of God. If our nation is not at this time persecuting Catholics, we should not suppose those days are past, or that they might never happen again. We should not suppose our faith no longer demands sacrifice.
My age cohort remember the challenges of the Civil Rights movement during the 1950's and 1960's; and we have seen the faltering of that graced movement since the 1970's. Why did it slow? I suppose a series of economic crises since that time meant that Americans who wanted to share their wealth with oppressed minorities had to make real sacrifice. The burgeoning post-war economy allowed the haves to share some of their excess gains without actual loss. But when times changed, and they were asked to make actual sacrifices, the spirit of "generosity" failed. They had no more excess funds to share, and would not dig deeper.
Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God are ready to make sacrifice in season and out. They do not worship security or success; they care not only for their children, families and friends; but also for neighbors and strangers because -- like Jesus -- they are in this world, but not of it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
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.