Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.
Timing, as every comedian knows, is the key to success. No joke, story, or pratfall is funny without close attention to its timing. Stan Laurel, in the earliest days of talky films, studied the reactions of theater audiences as he took his act with Oliver Hardy from burlesque to the big screen. Every remark, gesture, and scene -- which in cinema is about eight seconds -- was calibrated to meet the mysterious standards of timing.
Learning that art is one of the most difficult chores of young adults. Which of us hasn't suffered awful embarrassment when a quip, jest, or gag fell flat because of its poor timing. A serious conversation with one's beloved should not be sabotaged by an adolescent joke. Poor timing betrays immaturity; and may cause a permanent loss of friendship. If there are no country western songs to tell that story, there should be.
In today's Gospel, Jesus's opponents, acting on impulse and without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, attempted to arrest Jesus. They wanted to stone him but his hour had not yet come. They would act against him, but not yet.
We first heard of that hour in John 2, in Jesus's cryptic reply to his mother, "Woman, what is that to me? My hour has not yet come." But she seemed to know more than he did for she immediately turned to the servants -- and to us -- and said, "Do whatever he tells you." It was time to respond to the joylessness of our celebrations.
There are other suggestions of the coming hour in the Fourth Gospel that lead to Chapter 17 and the Lord's prayer, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you." They sound like distant church bells reminding us of both the passage of time and a moment that is coming.
Finally, Saint John will tell us, "...from that hour the disciple took her into his home." This is the hour of the Church, comprised in that moment of the Beloved Disciple and the Mother of Jesus. In its time it gathers you and me to the Lord, to his passion, death, and resurrection, and to salvation.
Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation.
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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.