If by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.
Today's passage from Romans underscores the comical nature of Jonah, the tale of a reluctant prophet who is hugely dissatisfied with his very satisfactory work. With characteristic exuberance, Saint Paul repeats his teaching about the difference one man -- even a man like Jonah -- can make. Several times in today's reading, he compares the sad effects of Adam's sin to the astounding graces that flow from Jesus's obedience. The Apostle can hardly contain his excitement as this mystery breaks upon him. It's meaning echoes through his heart and mind, and keeps generating more ways to say the same thing.
Occasionally, when I happen to be among a huge crowd of people, I look at all these people who are thinking about a zillion other things, and I remember that the Lord has died for all of us; and we're hardly aware of it. The cheerful civility we demonstrate as we move together, recognizing, greeting, meeting, and bumping into one another, speaking and listening to one another, proves the grace that comes to us through Jesus. For, whether we know it or not, in him we live and move and have our being.
This teaching might seem like nonsense to many. It can hardly be proven if we use the measures of standard scientific proof. But our ancient science of theology challenges more recent scientific methods by finding many proofs of this doctrine. They appear in our personal lives, and especially in the stories of our martyrs.
These witnesses, overwhelmed in the moment by an extraordinary grace, often blessed their persecutors as they suffered. I think of Saint Thomas More: he paid his executioner a coin for his trouble, and then carefully placed his beard away from the executioner's block before the ax came down on his neck. "My beard has committed no crime." he said. I think of the Ugandan boys who hurried to catch up with their doomed classmates at Namugongo. I think of the Roman soldier who joined 39 martyrs at Namaste, despite his knowing nothing about Jesus, as they died of exposure to the freezing elements. These stories are endless and continuing as the twenty-first century adds its own list to the roster of saints.
Saint Paul also proved the truth of his teaching as he traveled the Roman roads toward his own execution. He was simply undaunted by the opposition he met among pagans, Jews, and some Christians. He knew instinctively that his doctrine would cost his life. Violence is practically a necessary reaction to the peaceful gospel. What else could happen when one of two powers stops resisting the other? The survivor will crush its opponent in a spasm of irrationality.
Paul's testimony about Jesus as the solitary man who saves the world, speaks not only of the Lord's identity as the Incarnate God. It also reminds each of us that, as we live and move and have our being in him, each one can make a huge difference. And we have many personal stories to testify to that.
First among them? Jonah, the foolish prophet who faithfully, albeit reluctantly, announced doom to the Ninevites and saved them from God's wrath.
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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.